Simply calling the procedure liposuction for lipedema misses the complexity of the procedure, the additional time, and the expertise required to perform it safely. The one thing it should never be called is “cosmetic” or “aesthetic” liposuction. The procedure has many names, including: Tumescent Liposuction Tumescent Local Anesthesia (TLA) Lymph-Sparing… Continue reading
Lipedema and Lipolymphedema [Update September 9, 2020 Karen Herbst presented the new codes to the NCHS/CDC committee. The meeting went well and after a public review period it will be determined in early 2021 if they will move forward with the new codes.] Lipedema, initially described at the Mayo clinic… Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June is National Lipedema Awareness Month Memphis TN, June 12, 2020 Lipedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity, edema, or lymphedema. While all can be present with lipedema, it is a separate condition. When lymphedema occurs with lipedema it’s known as lipolymphedema, a secondary lymphedema. To accurately diagnose… Continue reading
The information below would be of most interest to those performing liposuction for lipedema, and in particular those who are interested in obtaining carrier reimbursement for the procedure. Please see my other posts concerning reconstructive versus cosmetic and medical necessity for coverage of those important reimbursement issues. The information below… Continue reading
Recorded PowerPoint Presentation by Jeffrey P. Restuccio, CPC, COC, MBA, reimbursement expert, certified medical coder and auditor. Please share this presentation with Providers, associations, blogs, researchers, and patients. A PDF of the presentation is at the link below:
I’ve been contacting researchers,surgeons, associations, and patients for months and providing up-to-date and accurate information on how to be reimbursed by insurance companies for liposuction for lipedema. The question I get most often is, “How can I help? What specifically do you want me to do?” So here is the… Continue reading
After several months feedback has been to simplify, simply, and SIMPLIFY! I’ve updated the checklist (Aug 14, 2020). I now have a one-page concise version plus a longer, three-page version. The guidebook will be updated shortly in Aug 2020 and is now over 50 pages. While personally I think all… Continue reading
Recently Providers and researchers have asked me how they can help. Here is a list of questions. Don’t feel like you need to answer them all. Which ICD-10 code do they use for lipedema: R60.9, Edema, Q82.0 Familial Hereditary Edema, or E88.2: Adiposis dolorosa; Lipomatosis dolorosa (Dercum’s disease)? Do they… Continue reading
I am preparing a submission for the addition of specific lipedema codes for publication on Oct. 1 2021 to The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Specific lipedema codes are needed for identification, tracking, and research. There are two due dates for feedback: June 12, 2020 and then September 2020…. Continue reading
I encourage all doctors and associations to add, at the very least, the following single sentence to their website or blog (patients please share this with everyone who cares as well as your doctor; it can make the difference between reimbursement and a denial): There are two kinds of liposuction:… Continue reading
Lipedema: A Call to Action! (Buso G et al., 2019) Authors: Giacomo Buso, Michele Depairon, Didier Tomson, Wassim Raffoul, Roberto Vettor and Lucia Mazzolai, Wiley Online Library Obesity, 27, 10, (1567-1576), (2019). Below is an excerpt of the most salient parts in regard to reimbursement for liposuction for lipedema. For patients with minimal or no improvement following conservative… Continue reading
The following is in the conclusion of Dr Bertsch’s four-part series on Lipedema Myths. Bertsch T et al. Lipedema – Myths … Phlebologie 2019; 48: 47–56 47 Some of the criteria below have not been well-defined. There is no international standard or US standard for performing liposuction for lipedema. One… Continue reading
Lymph-Sparing Liposuction – Marketing Ploy or Medically Accurate Phrase? Our medical carrier reimbursement project for liposuction for lipedema is marketing something: that liposuction for lipedema is reconstructive and medically necessary. Toward that goal we want the very best verbiage that helps us win the most cases. I believe we need… Continue reading
Below is a list of terms, phrasing and supporting research you can include in your pre-authorization or appeal documentation package as appropriate: Medically effective FDA approved equipment Conclusions…the effect of the intervention on health outcomes Make argument …that measurement(s) or alteration affects health outcomes Safe or effective Exceeding the outcome… Continue reading
The most recent Excel version of the checklist is above. 1 Liposuction for Lipedema Reimbursement CHECKLIST. Asterisk * [right] means additional information is available on www.lipoforlipedemareimbursement.com [December 2, 2020] Check website for updates.2 Make a decision for surgery (in the future). [Website www.lipoforlipedemareimbursement.com]3 Review your insurance policy for coverage information…. Continue reading