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Tag: Essentially Women


E-SP

Because it only affects women

November 21, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

An Amy Schumer standup special I watched recently on Netflix had me thinking about the latest iteration of legislation that seeks to require Medicare to pay for custom breast forms.  Schumer was talking about a common women’s health condition she was seeking treatment for.   “Oh, we haven’t studied that yet,” she deadpans, “because it only affects women.”   Cue Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who introduced the Breast Cancer Patient...

Custom Breast Prostheses, Essentially Women


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Nikki Jensen

Specialty Providers

Stakeholders push hard for custom breast forms bill

October 27, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

WASHINGTON – The top priority for supporters of legislation seeking to require Medicare to pay for custom breast forms is to get it re-scored, says Nikki Jensen.  A previous score by the Congressional Budget Office in December 2020 came in much higher than expected because the CBO scored it as if all women, not just some of them, would choose the pricier custom option.  “We’re working now with Senator Duckworth’s office, hoping to send a letter to the CBO with...

Custom Breast Forms, Essentially Women, Nikki Jensen


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Nikki Jensen

Specialty Providers

Senators re-introduce custom breast forms legislation

October 25, 2023HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have re-introduced The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act, a bill that would provide Medicare coverage for custom fabricated breast prostheses.  The bill is a companion bill to H.R. 4779, introduced in July by Reps. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.  “We can do so much more to help patients and survivors of breast cancer fully recover and achieve the best quality of life,”...

Custom Breast Prostheses, Essentially Women, The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act


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Business Development

Take holistic approach to women’s health

August 25, 2023John Andrews

Women’s health comprises many sectors, but the major ones are maternity and postpartum, as well as post-mastectomy and menopause products. And although those sectors have very different characteristics, they actually represent an opportunity for HME providers to care for female patients over the course of their lives, specialists in the field say.  The advantage for astute providers is to establish relationships with clients while they are young by furnishing maternity items and offering...

Embr Labs, Essentially Women, Motif Medical, Women's Health


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Nikki Jensen

Specialty Providers

Bill to cover custom breast forms reintroduced in House

July 27, 2023HME News Staff

WASHINGTON — Reps. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, have reintroduced the bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act, which would provide Medicare coverage of custom breast prostheses to breast cancer survivors.  The bill, H.R. 4779, would allow hundreds of thousands of women each year to choose a custom prosthesis after a mastectomy.  “This is a great step forward in our efforts to expand access to life-changing health care for breast cancer...

Custom Breast Prostheses, Essentially Women


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Also Noted

EW partners with Nymbl 

May 16, 2023HME News Staff

WATERLOO, Iowa – Essentially Women has announced a partnership with Nymbl Systems, a cloud-based billing and business management solution. “Essentially Women is incredibly excited to partner with Nymbl Systems,” said Nikki Jensen, vice president of Essentially Women. “Nymbl’s business management system will allow our members to streamline their processes by helping with complicated billing processes, customizable forms, appointment reminders, point-of-sale (POS) system,...

Essentially Women, Nymbl Systems


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Nikki Jensen

Also Noted

EW refreshes website

April 7, 2023HME News Staff

WATERLOO, Iowa – Essentially Women, a division of VGM & Associates, has launched a redesigned website at essentiallywomen.com. Refreshed and enhanced for a more user-friendly experience, this updated site makes it easier for members to find the information they’re looking for. The site also includes a members-only portal, making it even easier to access the resources that are exclusively available to EW members. “At EW, we strive to provide the resources members need to lower...

Essentially Women, VGM & Associates


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News

In brief: AAH on Medicaid, AdaptHealth on expectations, GAO on waivers

January 13, 2023HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Team has begun a nationwide campaign to work with state/regional association leaders to better align state Medicaid rates with higher costs.  The association says HME providers are experiencing increasing product prices and operational costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, as well as ongoing inflation pressures.  “Our work will include requesting that rates reflect the 6.4%+ CPI-U increases granted by...

AdaptHealth, Essentially Women, Home Medical Equipment (HME), Inogen, Medicaid, Telehealth


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Also Noted

EW announces award finalists 

January 10, 2023HME News Staff

WATERLOO, Iowa – Essentially Women has announced the three finalists for the 2023 Ruth Addison Award of Excellence. They are Carol Poole, owner of A New You Pink Boutique in Brandon, Fla; Patsy Taylor, former boutique coordinator, Magnolias Breast Health Boutique, Augusta, Ga.; and Ramona Hertzell, CFm, owner of Second to Nature Boutique in Greensboro, N.C. “The Essentially Women Ruth Addison Award of Excellence has become a significant award in the women’s health industry,”...

Essentially Women, Ruth Addison Award of Excellence


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Specialty Providers

Lymphedema coverage now in the works 

January 9, 2023HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – The Lymphedema Treatment Act has become law as part of an omnibus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in late December.  The act requires Medicare to pay for compression garments, bandages and supplies to reduce lymphedema-related swelling and prevent recurrence.  “Congratulations to the Lymphedema Advocacy Group for their tireless efforts to pass the Lymphedema Treatment Act,” said Nikki Jensen, vice president of Essentially Women....

Compression Garments, Essentially Women, Lymphedema Treatment Act


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