We are happy to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has retired the Local Coverage Determination (LCD L33829) for Pneumatic Compression Devices (PCDs) effective today, November 14, 2024. For dates of service on or after November 14, 2024, PCD clinical coverage criteria for Medicare beneficiaries will follow the National Coverage Determination (NCD 280.6).
CMS did not give a reason why the LCD has been retired, but it’s important to note that the Medicare Administrative Contractors can retire, revise, or establish LCDs, at their own discretion. The retirement of the LCD will hopefully result in improved access to pneumatic compression for not only Medicare beneficiaries but also for any other person that has an insurance plan that has used the LCD to establish their own medical coverage policy.
If you have been prescribed a pneumatic compression device to manage your lymphedema symptoms at-home, and your insurance company has denied your device, please let us know by using our Denial Reporting Form.
If you are a Medicare beneficiary with questions about how this may impact your coverage, please call the Medicare hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
We will keep you informed as we learn more about this positive step.
Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
