BISA Applauds CMS Decision to Preserve Affordable Access to Breast Reconstruction
The right to affordable access to DIEP flap breast reconstruction has been preserved! Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recent decision to preserve affordable access to breast reconstruction is a win for women.
The change in the medical billing code would have eliminated health insurance coverage for a surgery called deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction, a surgery that uses tissue from the lower abdomen to create a new breast.
The decision from CMS came after a public hearing in June when patients, doctors, breast cancer and patient organizations advocated for the agency to protect the codes, keeping access DIEP flap surgery affordable and accessible. CMS wrote, "We recognize the importance of the patient-provider relationship and the practice of medicine in determining the most appropriate breast reconstruction procedure for each patient.”
In a recent press release, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) stated, "Saving access to DIEP flap breast reconstruction option required CMS to reverse course, and that would not have happened if not for my diligent Congressional colleagues, cancer advocacy groups, watch-dog journalists and dedicated medical professionals, especially Dr. Elisabeth Potter."
Earlier this year, BISA partnered with Community Breast Reconstruction Alliance (CBRA), founded by Dr. Elisabeth Potter, to help protect the right to access for all types of reconstruction options. Congratulations to Dr. Elisabeth Potter and all of the collective efforts who made this possible. We are thankful for the work to continue as Dr. Potter was quoted stating, “We are just getting started.” Check out her recent reaction to the news on social media.
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Dr. Potter’s reaction on social media about the agency’s recent decision.
Breast Implant Safety Alliance (BISA) is a 501(c)3 women-owned nonprofit, patient-centered organization dedicated to improving breast implant safety and awareness—through direct collaboration with consumers, medical professionals, manufacturers, regulators, and advocates. BISA is a 100% volunteer organization not funded by implant manufacturers.
Contact: Maria Gmitro, President | 843.501.6873 | maria@bisanonprofit.org