(Part 1 of Jenna’s story can be viewed here.)
I continued with my compression therapy, my insurance reluctantly agreed to cover both the bio sequential pumps and 1 pair of custom compression stockings. After more than 10 months of struggling my legs have healed and for the most part the swelling is contained with stocking and the bio sequential pumps made the difference and was a turning point in my recovery. Once I received my pumps and began using them all wounds stopped draining and over the course of another 5 months healed completely. It has been nearly 11 months since I moved from compression bandages to custom compression stockings.
Once I received my stockings my life returned to normal and I found the daily routine with stockings and bio sequential pump relatively easy to maintain so that my legs remain healthy. I have the occasional small wounds but self-care and early intervention from my doctor have made all the difference. It really is true early diagnosis; regular care and preventative maintenance have been a small fraction of the cost of what it was when I experienced complications from untreated lymphedema. The complications of lymphedema for me came to over $100,000 for about 9 months. The cost of maintenance: custom stockings – $900 – bio sequential pumps -$7000 (one time purchase) follow up doctors’ visits – $500. All in all my anticipated future maintenance costs will be approximately $1,000 – $1500 per year (I would like to note that allowing more than one pair of stockings per year is preferred at least 2 pairs for convenience and life of the garment.)
You don’t have to be a math whiz to see that early diagnosis and treatment is a more economical and better option not only for the patient but for the insurance providers. It’s time to remove the cost barriers and allow lymphedema patients some dignity and the right to treatment options that will help them lead a normal life.
