Archive - March 2019

The Lymphedema Lobby Days to lobby for the Lymphedema Treatment Act will be held May 5th-7th. On Sunday, May 5th, the Lymphedema Advocacy Group will host a required orientation session where materials and name badges are picked up. Monday, May 6th and Tuesday, May 7th will be spent advocating for the Lymphedema Treatment Act on the Hill. An optional dinner will be hosted on Monday, May 6th. The Lymphedema Advocacy Group will schedule all meetings with representatives. Participants will be partnered

The FDA recently held a two-day hearing about the long-term safety of breast implants and health effects. The hearing included plastic surgeons, breast implant makers, and personal stories from women who have implants who have experienced health problems, including breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Patients who have BIA-ALCL typically develop symptoms including sudden breast enlargement many years after they receive breast implants. Other women who testified at

Breast cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer. However, it metastasizes quickly. Previous research has indicated that exposure to chronic stress is one factor that contributes to cancer cell growth in breast cancer. A new study from the University of Basel and the University Hospital of Basel in Switzerland suggests that stress hormones can fuel the spread of breast cancer tumors. The researchers also indicate that the derivatives present in certain anti-inflammatory treatments could

A Defense Department watchdog last year found that Tricare overpaid more than $16 million for breast pumps. Tricare has now scaled back its coverage to cut out "luxury or deluxe" features, like connectivity to cars and smartphones, and associated items like nursing bras, cleaning supplies and over-the-counter ointments. New moms will also be allowed to receive one breast pump, whereas the previous policy allowed for two. This new policy comes after the 2018 Office of Inspector General investigation

One of our Essentially Women members, Kathy Dibben with Absolute Dignity in Missouri, is looking for someone to purchase her business. Dibben, like many EW members, is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She opened her shop in 2007 after struggling to find good-fitting bras and swimwear after her bilateral mastectomy. Twelve years after opening her store, she now is in need of a buyer or she will be forced to close her business. Her cancer has spread to multiple locations and is being placed in

What is your succession plan? Do you have a basic plan outlined if a key staff member would suddenly be gone? Miriam Lieber, a speaker at 2019 Focus Conference, recently outlined some key steps that every business owner, regardless if they are a retailer, HME provider, mastectomy business, or anything in between should follow. Make sure your business has a succession plan in place. Identify key staff in your business and train or cross-train to prepare for them to either take over the business in

Traditional DME marketing relies heavily on print collateral to reach new customers, but digital channels can be very beneficial in customer acquisition. Though the average DME customer may skew older than the general population it would be a mistake to assume that senior consumers aren’t on the internet! The PEW Research Center reports that 67% of seniors over 65 use the internet and 42% of seniors own smartphones (this number is much higher for more affluent seniors) – up from 18% only

The Food and Drug Administration granted its first approval to an immunotherapy regimen for breast cancer on March 8, 2019. This decision comes after an October study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that therapy extended progression-free survival of triple-negative breast cancer. Progression-free survival with the treatment was on average 7.4 months, compared to 4.8 months with the placebo.  This new treatment is the first time immunotherapy has worked in this type of breast

By Clint Geffert, President, VGM & Associates It’s hard to believe that we are well into the first quarter of 2019. In this industry, we blink and another year is behind us. At VGM, we experienced many examples last year that truly illustrate productive change. Forward movement in technology, providers dipping their toes in the waters of opportunity, and engagement at all levels continue to come together to take care of America’s post-acute patients. We entered 2018 with continued

The Essentially Women membership has two pieces of federal legislation already moving in Congress, the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act and the Lymphedema Treatment Act. The Lymphedema Treatment Act is being spearheaded by the Lymphedema Treatment Act Organization.  Medicare does not recognize and acknowledge the role compression plays in the treatment of lymphedema. If passed, this legislation will provide Medicare coverage for all forms of compression, including bandaging supplies,