Medicare Alert - New draft policy...improved coverage
Highmark recently posted a draft of a revised coverage policy for End Diastolic Pneumatic Compression therapy (EDPC aka Circulator Boot therapy).  Highmark is the designated MAC for PA, NJ, DE, MD and DC.  The draft policy includes a reduction in the conservative care waiting period to 4 weeks from the current 24 weeks before covered EDPC therapy can begin.  Other policy elements improving access to care, are also included in the draft.  The draft becomes final policy in late spring pending the completion of their open comment period on March 18th...please see below for more information. 
 
March 18th deadline for comments to Medicare

Highmark Medical Directors are currently seeking input from the clinical community regarding the proposed policy.  The draft policy recently posted by Medicare is encouraging yet we believe stops short on a few important policy elements.  Circulator Boot collaborated with a team of clinicians that identified five additional changes to the policy needed to properly position EDPC therapy to cost effectively save more legs from amputation. Contact Jack May (jmay@circulatorboot.com) to learn more about these policy elements.  We encourage clinicians to click here to review the draft policy and post comments. (Go to draft DL 27491 End Diastolic Pneumatic Compression Therapy). The open comment period concludes on March 18th.  

Please Note: The Circulator Boot team will be using Highmark's revised policy as the template for petitioning additional designated MAC's for formalizing coverage in other regions across the United States.  We encourage clinicians outside of Highmark's coverage area to provide comments during the open period...it will help you down the line.
 
New CB Monitors, Long Boots & Mini Boots

The Circulator Boot team recently took delivery of inventory from new manufacturers for a few a of our system components.  Stay tuned for the next newsletter to learn more about enhanced features with the new equipment.