Compression therapy is considered the gold standard for the treatment of lymphedema and the treatment and prevention of venous leg ulcers, but Medicare has yet to cover provider-prescribed compression therapy supplies. 

In December, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society endorsed legislation that would allow Medicare to appropriately cover compression therapy. The Lymphedema Treatment Act, HR 3877, would improve access to the essential therapeutic compression modalities that are required as part of the medical plan of care for cost effective management of both lymphedema and VLUs.

The endorsement is on  WOCN’s website, and the organization encourages members to reach out to lawmakers, said Mary Nametka, MSN, RN, CWS, CWON, FNP-BC, of the WOCN Society’s National Public Policy Committee.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to work upstream on those problems that may at first seem too big to change,” Nametka said.

The WOCN Society also announced Terri Gaffney, MPA, RN, of the American Nurses Association, will kick off its annual conference on June 6-10 in San Antonio.