Medical Coverage
Links and updates in the reimbursement world of Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.
April 2003: Diabetic Foot Wound Medicare CMS Coverage. This landmark decision was important because this is the first new indication to be added by Medicare for HBOT in over 18 years. Means more hyperbaric clinics opening across the nation, needless amputations have been significantly lowered, and is an important building block for other hyperbaric indications to be recognized and added for treatment and insurance reimbursements.
The then interim IHMA Vice-president, Dr. Paul Harch, compiled and presented over 125+ articles with the Argument, before the CMS committee, that the submission was based on science regarding reduction of amputation rate and cost effectiveness.
- IHMA Narrative Timeline on this historic achievement.
- IHMA Timeline Email Trail and Submission Acceptance.
- IHMA announces history of Medicare approval for HBOT reimbursement for diabetic foot ulcers.
- Actual Submission paper to CMS by IHMA President, Paul G. Harch MD, June 2001. "Argument for Medicare/Medicaid
Coverage of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment of Diabetic Foot Wounds".
- 125+ reference bibliography provided to CMS and referenced in their decision.
- CMS Website
- Diabetic Foot Ulcer pictures (graphic nature)
