Later this year there will be a Public Comment Period for the Lymphedema Treatment Act. You are probably wondering, what is a Public Comment Period, why is it important, and can I participate?
Whenever there is new coverage or significant changes to existing coverage, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to offer a Public Comment Period. A Public Comment Period for the Lymphedema Treatment Act will occur, likely mid-year during the summer months, and this will be an important opportunity for all stakeholders and advocates to take action!
Just prior to the comment period, CMS will release preliminary rules related to the coverage (like how many garments each patient can get at one time, how often they can be replaced, etc.). The public will then have 60 days to comment on those proposed rules, after which CMS may decide to make changes.
Everyone will be encouraged to participate when this opportunity becomes available! If there is anything we don’t like about the initial proposals, or wish were better, the public comment period is our opportunity to try and convince them to modify those things before the rules are finalized.
You can learn more about the Rulemaking Process and the Public Comment Period here. In the meantime, if you have other questions, please review our Frequently Asked Questions document, which we are continually updating as new information becomes available. Thank you!
Heather Ferguson
Founder & Executive Director
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org
