A critical analysis of American insurance coverage for imaging and surgical treatment of lymphedema

Over 35 million Americans have lymphedema. Nonetheless, lymphedema is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide. We investigated whether the rates of coverage for imaging and surgical procedures may contribute to the limited care provided for lymphedema.

We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of 58 insurers, chosen based on state enrollment and market share. A web-based search or phone call determined whether a publicly available policy on lymphedema-specific imaging, physiological procedures, and excisional procedures was available. Coverage status and corresponding criteria were extracted.

Of the two-thirds of insurers who included a policy on imaging, 4% (n = 2) provided coverage and 4% (n = 2) specified coverage only on a case-by-case basis. Forty-eight percent (n = 28) of insurers had a statement of coverage on lymphovenous bypass or vascularized lymph node transfer, in which reimbursement was almost universally denied (96%, n = 26; 93%, n = 26). Liposuction and debulking procedures were included in 25 (43%) and 13 (22%) policies, in which seven (28%) and four (31%) insurers would provide coverage, with over 75% having criteria. Coverage of liposuction was significantly more than for lymphovenous bypass (P < .04).

Nearly one-half of American insurers do not have a publicly available policy on most imaging, physiological, or excisional procedures, leaving coverage status ambiguous. Reimbursement was uncommon for imaging and physiological procedures, whereas the majority of insurers who did offer coverage for excisional procedures also had multiple criteria to be met. These elements may together be a limiting factor in receiving appropriate care for lymphedema.