LymphActivist's Site
Dedicated to Lymphedema Patients and the Therapists Who Treat Them
LymphActivist's Site
Dedicated to Lymphedema Patients and the Therapists Who Treat Them
LymphActivist's Site
Dedicated to Lymphedema Patients and the Therapists Who Treat Them
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
ROBERT WEISS
Peer-Reviewed Journals
• Weiss R. Cost of a lymphedema treatment mandate--10 years of experience in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Health Economics Review, 2016;6:42 DOI 10.1186/s13561-016-0117-3.
• Ezzo j, Manheimer E, McNeely ML, Howell DM, Weiss R, Johansson KI, Bao T, Bily L, Tuppo CM, Williams AF and Karadibak D. Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 21 May 2015. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD003475.
• Weiss R. Prevention of Lymphedema. J Amer Coll Surg. July 2013;217(1)168-9. Reply by Author: J Amer Coll Surg. July 2013;217(1)169-170.
• Stout NL, Weiss R, Feldman JL, Stewart BR, Armer JM, Cormier JN and Shih Y-CT. A Systematic Review of Care Delivery Models and Economic Analyses in Lymphedema: Health Policy Impact (2004-2011).Lymphology 2013;46:27-41.
• Weiss R. Comment Paper: Grass Roots Lymphedema Advocacy in the U.S. (submitted for publication in Journal of Lymphoedema 2011)
Comments and Proposals to CMS
• "A Formal Request for a National Coverage Determination for Coverage of Lymphedema Compression Treatment Items as Prosthetic Device Benefits" to CMS in September 2016.
• “Request to establish a series of new codes for the full range of prosthetic devices and supplies used in the treatment of lymphedema from all causes.” To HCPCS Work Group on May 1, 2007 [Agenda Item #07.109]
• “Request to reinstate HCPCS Level II codes for compression stockings which were changed in 2006” to HCPCS Work Group on/about May 1, 2011 and May 9, 2012 [Agenda Items #11.124 and 12.062]
• “Formal Request for a National Coverage Determination on CDT for Lymphedema” to NCFA on July 30, 2000.
Presentations and Workshops on Lymphedema
• “ARE LYMPHEDEMA COMPRESSION BANDAGES, GARMENTS, DEVICES AND SUPPLIES COVERABLE UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT?” Poster at the American College of Phlebology 29th Annual Congress 2015, Orlando, FL November 13, 2015.
• "HOW LYMPHEDEMA COMPRESSION BANDAGES, GARMENTS, DEVICES AND SUPPLIES SHOULD BE COVERABLE BY MEDICARE AS PROSTHETIC DEVICE BENEFITS" Presented at the OMICS 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, San Antonio, TX, May 18-20, 2015.
• "FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT IN THE ABSENCE OF DISABILITY: THE LYMPHEDEMA EXAMPLE" Poster presented at the OMICS 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, San Antonio, TX, May 18-20, 2015.
• “UPDATE ON MEDICARE & LYMPHEDEMA” Presentation at the Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, Rancho Mirage, CA May 1, 2015.
• “BREAST AND TRUNCAL LYMPHEDEMA, ITS NATURE AND TREATMENT” presentation to Kaiser Physical Therapists, Woodland Hills, CA July 6, 2014.
• "REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES" Workshops at the Lymphedema Seminars, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, November 2, 2013.
• "UPDATES ON MEDICARE AND LYMPHEDEMA" Presentation at the Lymphedema Seminars, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, November 2, 2013.
• "LYMPHEDEMA & MEDICARE UPDATE NETWORKING SESSIONS – REPORTING FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES" Workshops at the Lymphedema Seminars, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, May 17, 2013.
• “COMMENTS ON PART-B FUTURE PROPOSED/DRAFT LCD DL28290 PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION POLICY” presentation at the Jurisdiction 1 Open Draft LCD Meeting, Los Angeles, CA April 16, 2013.
• "MEDICARE CHANGES AFFECTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUTPATIENT LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT" Workshop at Enhancement, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, November 3, 2012.
• "UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF INSURANCE" Instructional Presentation [H8], 10th National Lymphedema Network International Conference, September 7, 2012.
• "DOCUMENTATION FOR LYMPHEDEMA THERAPY: MINIMIZING INSURANCE DENIALS. PART 2 – DMEPOS AND APPEALS" Instructional Presentation [H17], 10th National Lymphedema Network International Conference, September 7, 2012.
• "CMS-1590-P MEDICARE PROGRAM" Analysis of potential impact on lymphedema treatment reimbursement presented to the ALFP Steering Committee, Columbus, OH, August 13, 2012.
• "LYMPHEDEMA MEDICARE COVERAGE AND REIMBURSEMENT PRESENTATION – A PRIMER ON HEALTH INSURANCE, MEDICARE, COVERAGE AND REIMBURSEMENT" 2-hour video presentation Klose Training Edu-Session Video, April 3, 2012.
• "LYMPHEDEMA REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES: A PRIMER ON HEALTH INSURANCE, MEDICARE COVERAGE AND REIMBURSEMENT IN 40 MINUTES"
Workshop at Enhancement, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, June 10, 2012.
• "DO EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVE ADEQUATE INFORMATION WITH WHICH TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS? (HOW KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK OF BREAST LYMPHEDEMA MAY CHANGE A PATIENT'S BREAST CANCER TREATMENT) Presentation at Enhancement, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, June 10, 2012.
• “REQUEST TO REINSTATE 12 L-CODES FOR COMPRESSION GARMENTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA” presentation to CMS HCPCS Work Group, Agenda Item #3, Attachment #12.062, Baltimore, MD, May 9, 2012.
• “LYMPHEDEMA REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES—A PRIMER ON HEALTH INSURANCE, MEDICARE, COVERAGE AND REIMBURSEMENT IN 40 MINUTES” keynote address at Colorado Lymphedema Awareness Day, Lafayette, CO, March 3, 2012.
• "HOW ARE COMPRESSION BANDAGES, GARMENTS, DEVICES AND SUPPLIES COVERABLE UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT?" October 11, 2011
• “MEDICARE AND OTHER INSURANCE UPDATES” presentation at the Lymphedema Lighthouse Network’s 13th State of Georgia Lymphedema Education & Awareness Conference, Decatur, GA, October 16, 2010.
• "STATE OF THE LYMPHEDEMA WORLD 2010 – A SHORT SUMMARY OF U.S. ACTIVITIES AND PLANS" Discussion paper, Patient Empowerment Session, Patient Perspective: A Global Advocacy Approach, International Lymphoedema Framework 2010 Conference, Brighton Center, England, March 24, 2010.
• "REVIEW OF EVIDENCE ON EFFICACY OF LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT PROTOCOLS "Presentation to DHHS MedCAC Lymphedema Expert Committee as part of Lymphedema Open Meeting November 18, 2009.
• "STATUS OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR LE TREATMENT IN THE USA" Presentation at the International Lymphoedema Framework Conference, Ascot, England, April 23, 2009.
• "HOW ARE COMPRESSION BANDAGES, GARMENTS, DEVICES AND SUPPLIES COVERABLE UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT?" Instructional Session [H5] at the 8th National Lymphedema Network International Conference, San Diego, CA, August 29, 2008.
• "DO EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVE ADEQUATE INFORMATION WITH WHICH TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS? (HOW KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK OF BREAST LYMPHEDEMA MAY CHANGE A PATIENT'S BREAST CANCER TREATMENT) Poster presented at the 8th National Lymphedema Network International Conference, San Diego, CA, August 29, 2008.
• “RESULTS OF GRASS-ROOTS ACTIVITIES OF A LYMPHEDEMA ACTIVIST DEDICATED TO CHANGING MEDICARE COVERAGE OF LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT” instructional session prepared for compression vendors in Brattleboro, VT May 30, 2008
• “REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES” roundtable discussions at the Enhancement, Inc. Networking & Educational Seminar for Lymphedema Therapists, Irvine, CA, February 3, 2008.
• “THREE METHODS FOR THE COST-EFFICACY ANALYSIS OF LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT” presentation at the ASL 2007 Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO November 26-8, 2007.
• “NOTES ON EXERCISE AND LYMPHEDEMA FOR THE ASL LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT CONSENSUS DOCUMENT” presentation to the American Society of Lymphology meeting, Kansas City, MO, November 26, 2007.
• "CURRENT ISSUES IN HEALTH INSURANCE AND LYMPHEDEMA LEGISLATION" Workshop for Therapists and Patients, Chicagoland Lymphedema Network, Evanston, IL May 30, 2007. Also presented at the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network Lymphedema: Empowerment Through Knowledge conference, Atlanta, GA October 5-7, 2007
• "HOW ARE COMPRESSION BANDAGES, GARMENTS, DEVICES AND SUPPLIES COVERABLE UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT?" Presented at 12th Annual Physical Therapy Practice Forum of the Greater Los Angeles District (GLAD) California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA), May 10, 2007.
• "CURRENT ISSUES IN HEALTH INSURANCE AND LYMPHEDEMA LEGISLATION" Workshop [H5] National Lymphedema Network 7th International Conference for Healthcare Professionals, Lymphedema: The Search for Truth" Nashville, TN November 1-5, 2006.
• “HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR LYMPHEDEMA” AND “STATUS OF LYMPHEDEMA LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS” Presentations in the Legislation and Insurance Reimbursement Issues Panels I & II at the NLN 1st International Patient Summit, Sparks/Reno, NV August 18-20, 2005.
• “INVOLVING ADVOCATES IN SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS—INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF LYMPHEDEMA” Workshop for the NBCCF LEAD Panel at the NBCCF 2005 Advocacy Training Conference, Washington DC, May 22, 2005
• "INCIDENCE OF LYMPHEDEMA: A LITERATURE REVIEW" 45-minute Plenary Session presentation at the 6th International National Lymphedema Network Conference "New Frontiers in Lymphedema Research & Therapy" John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel and Resort,Sparks/Reno, NV. October 20-24, 2004.
• "A COST-EFFICACY MODEL FOR TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA" A Workshop given at The First Montreal International Lymphedema Congress "Lymphedema: A Health Care Problem" Wyndham Hotel, Montreal, Quebec. May 28- 30, 2003
• "SUGGESTIONS FOR CREATING A LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT CENTER OF EXCELLENCE" A Presentation at the CIRCLE OF HOPE LYMPHEDEMA FOUNDATION National Lymphedema Conference "LYMPHEDEMA: The Flight Of Hope" Waterbury, CT. March 29, 2003.
• "LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT RIGHTS AND DENIAL APPEAL PROCEDURES",
A Presentation to the Sacramento Lymphedema Support Group for Women, Sacramento, CA. October 23, 2002.
• "SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES IN THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA" 1-hour Presentation at Insurance Panels at 5th NLN International Conference, Lymphedema: The Quest for Understanding Chicago, IL. August 29-September 1, 2002
• "COST-EFFICACY OF LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT-PRELIMINARY MODEL" Poster Paper at 5th NLN International Conference, Lymphedema: The Quest for Understanding, Chicago, IL. August 29-September 1, 2002.
• "LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF PATIENT, CAREGIVER, CITIZEN AND ACTIVIST" 2-hour Workshop for Nurses and Therapists, July 31, 2001. (first of many presentations with similar content)