S. 1315Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Lymphedema Treatment Act

Introduced April 22, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 2:05 AM UTC

The Lymphedema Treatment Act amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add coverage for lymphedema compression treatment items under Medicare. It defines these items as standard or custom‑fitted gradient compression garments and other devices prescribed for patients diagnosed with lymphedema. The change applies to Medicare beneficiaries receiving such items on or after Jan 1 2023.

Key Provisions

  • Adds “lymphedema compression treatment items” to the list of services covered by Medicare in section 1861(s)(2).
  • Defines the term to include standard and custom‑fitted gradient compression garments prescribed for a diagnosed lymphedema patient, as determined by the Secretary.
  • Allows the Secretary to include other devices that are effective in preventing or treating lymphedema.
  • Sets the coverage to begin for items furnished on or after Jan 1 2023.
  • Makes minor punctuation edits to the existing statutory language.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

April 22, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 22, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

April 22, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 22, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1315

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 22, 2021

Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Young, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Blunt, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Rubio, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Ernst, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Reed, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Brown, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Markey, Mr. Daines, Mr. Casey, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mrs. Shaheen, Mrs. Capito, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Coons, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Fischer, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Graham, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Carper, Ms. Warren, Mr. Booker, Mr. King, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Tester, Mr. Warner, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Kelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of certain lymphedema compression treatment items under the Medicare program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

2.

Medicare coverage of certain lymphedema compression treatment items

(a)

In general

Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (s)(2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (GG), by striking and after the semicolon at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (HH), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(II)

lymphedema compression treatment items (as defined in subsection (lll));

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(lll)

Lymphedema compression treatment items

The term lymphedema compression treatment items means—

(1)

standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments that are—

(A)

furnished on or after January 1, 2023, to an individual with a diagnosis of lymphedema for the treatment of such condition;

(B)

primarily and customarily used in the medical treatment of lymphedema, as determined by the Secretary; and

(C)

prescribed by a physician (or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or a clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)) to the extent authorized under State law); and

(2)

other devices determined by the Secretary to be effective in the prevention or treatment of lymphedema.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to lymphedema compression treatment items furnished on or after January 1, 2023.