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ATTENTION: LYMPHEDEMA PATIENTS, CLINICIANS & ADVOCATES
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PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY BELOW.
IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR A LIFETIME!
THERE ARE NETWORK GAPS/DEFICIENCIES WITH BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD COMPANIES FOR LYMPHEDEMA PRODUCTS THROUGH OUT THE COUNTRY. LYMPHEDEMA PATIENTS ARE FORCED TO USE "OUT-OF-NETWORK" BENEFITS AND END UP PAYING FOR THEIR MEDICAL PRODUCTS OUT OF POCKET. OUR VOICES MUST BE HEARD BY THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION. LYMPHEDEMA PATIENTS ARE ENTITLED TO ACCESS "IN-NETWORK" INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THEIR LYMPHEDEMA PRODUCTS.
http://www.bcbs.com/about-the-association/
“The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® companies. The Association owns and manages the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names in more than 170 countries and territories around the world. The Association grants licenses to independent companies to use the trademarks and names in exclusive geographic areas.”
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies provide healthcare coverage more than 105 million people — one-third of all Americans — in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Nationwide, more than 96% of hospitals and 92% of professional providers contract directly with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies — more than any other insurer.”
www.lunamedical.com
Luna Medical, Inc. is celebrating our 20th anniversary in July of 2016. We continue to be solely dedicated to helping lymphedema patients with their medical product needs. We have national contracts with Cigna Healthcare, United Healthcare, Humana, and more. Our corporate headquarters are located in Chicago, IL. We have historically been able to service Blue Cross and Blue Shield patients with Chronic Lymphedema and Chronic Venous Disease nationwide, payable “in-network”. Since the inception of the BCBSA Clarity Rule in October of 2012, we can no longer bill our local (BCBS IL) and provide coverage to patients needing lymphedema garments in other states, payable “in-network”. This Clarity Rule requires patients to access coverage from a local, Blue Cross and Blue Shield contracted provider for their products however a common theme we consistently hear from patients, caregivers and clinicians about the “Blue Cross Blue Shield companies” is “I have NO contracted provider to go to for custom and non-custom lymphedema compression garments."
Blue Cross and Blue Shield members are extremely frustrated because they are being forced to use “out-of-network” providers therefore they end up paying out of pocket for their lymphedema products. Lymphedema can become debilitating if patients do not have the products that are clinically efficacious to successfully manage their lymphedematous condition. Patients, caregivers, clinicians, industry and foundations are now taking action to address this “network gap” issue. Patients are making formal complaints to their state insurance commissioners. The lymphedema community is voicing their concerns through public and social media.
We have shared a link with you from the Lymphedema Education & Research Network:
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Must-See-Video--Kathy-Bates--Historic-Speech-at-NIH.html?soid=1102598948013&aid=ePaB63nBVmc
Kathy Bates (American actress, film director, producer and LE&RN's National Spokesperson) delivers historic NIH keynote on 9/29/15 titled "Lymphedema - The Human Side". Please share this link with others to educate them about Lymphedema.
In the spirit of Lymphedema Awareness, we must recognize patients with Primary and Secondary Lymphedema. This includes Breast/Cervical/Head&Neck/Melanoma/Uterine/Vulvar Cancer Survivo