Information for Patients – Medicare

At Tactile Systems Technology, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality equipment and the best possible service and support. Our team of Medicare specialists follow Medicare guidelines closely and work directly with physicians and therapists to obtain coverage of the Flexitouch® system for Medicare patients.

Does Medicare pay for the Flexitouch system?

Medicare does provide coverage for “Pneumatic Compression Devices (PCD),” including the Flexitouch system. However, the coverage policy dictates that patients must have tried and failed less costly clinical interventions before they will consider payment for a more advanced PCD like the Flexitouch system. The use and results of prior treatments must be clearly documented in the patient’s medical record in order for coverage to be considered.

In general, Medicare requires that:
  • You are unable to control your lymphedema at home using exercise, limb elevation, and compression bandages or garments. These home treatments must have been tried for a minimum of four weeks.
  • You have used a lower-level pneumatic compression device, but it failed to control your lymphedema symptoms.
  • You had positive outcomes after a treatment with the Flexitouch system, and those outcomes have been documented in your medical record.
How the Medicare process works
Step One:
Talk to your physician or therapist to determine if you are a good candidate for the Flexitouch system. If you are, have your physician or therapist submit an order to Tactile Systems.
Step Two:
Our Medicare specialists will contact your physician or therapist to gather the medical records required by Medicare for payment of the Flexitouch system.
Step Three:
Our Medicare specialists will carefully review your medical records to determine if you meet Medicare requirements.
If you DO meet Medicare’s requirements, we will:
  • Contact you and your physician or therapist to arrange a demonstration of a Flexitouch system
  • Obtain all necessary paperwork
  • Ship you the Flexitouch system and arrange a training session
  • Bill Medicare
If you DO NOT meet Medicare’s requirements, we will:
  • Call you and your healthcare team to discuss why you do not meet Medicare’s criteria for coverage
  • Evaluate any opportunities for payment through secondary insurance or provide information on self–pay and financial assistance program options

If you have questions about Medicare requirements for coverage, you may contact Medicare at www.medicare.gov or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227. In order to get accurate information when you call, make sure to ask about E0652 pneumatic compression device requirements.