If you're managing lymphedema, there's a Medicare benefit that didn't exist a couple of years ago: since January 1, 2024, Medicare Part B covers compression garments and supplies to treat it. For years, families paid out of pocket for these garments because Original Medicare didn't cover them. That changed with the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

In This Guide

What Compression Garments Does Medicare Cover?

Lymphedema is chronic swelling, usually in an arm or leg, that happens when the lymph system can't drain fluid the way it should. It often shows up after cancer surgery or radiation, and the main way to keep it in check is daily compression. That's exactly what the new benefit pays for.

The Lymphedema Treatment Act added compression items as a Part B benefit for anything furnished on or after January 1, 2024. According to CMS, it set up a new benefit category under durable medical equipment for compression garments and related supplies.

Here's what falls under it:

That covers the garments people actually use every day, not just one narrow product. If your treatment plan calls for daytime garments, a nighttime garment, and bandaging supplies, all three can be covered.

Who Qualifies, and What You Need to Get It

Three things have to line up. Miss one and the claim gets denied, so it's worth getting them right the first time.

First, you need a lymphedema diagnosis. This benefit is specifically for treating lymphedema, so a general order for compression stockings for tired legs won't qualify.

Second, you need a written order from an authorized provider. That means a physician, or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist, to the extent your state allows them to order these items.

Third, you have to get the items from a supplier enrolled with Medicare as a DMEPOS supplier (that stands for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies). This is the step people trip on. Buying the exact same garment from a pharmacy counter or an online shop that isn't a Medicare-enrolled supplier means Medicare won't pay, no matter how legitimate your diagnosis and order are. Before you order, ask the supplier point blank whether they accept Medicare for lymphedema compression items.

How Many Compression Garments Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare doesn't cover unlimited garments. It sets a quantity per affected body area, which is a detail that trips people up: each arm or leg is counted separately, so someone with swelling in both legs gets a separate allowance for each leg.

Item How many Medicare covers How often
Daytime garments or wraps 3 per affected body area Every 6 months
Nighttime garments 2 per affected body area Every 2 years (24 months)

On top of those limits, Medicare also covers replacements for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair. So if your garment gets ruined before the clock resets, you're not stuck waiting six months with nothing.

The three-per-six-months rule for daytime garments is deliberate. Compression garments wear out and lose their stretch, and doctors generally recommend rotating a few so you always have a clean, effective one to put on. The allowance is built around that reality.

What You'll Pay

This benefit runs through Part B, so it follows Part B's normal cost sharing. After you meet the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and Medicare pays the other 80%., Per Medicare.gov, the approved amount is the lesser of the supplier's actual charge or the national payment amount on the Medicare fee schedule.

A couple of practical notes on the cost. If you have a Medigap policy, it typically picks up that 20% coinsurance, which can bring your share close to nothing once the deductible is met. And if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan rather than Original Medicare, your coverage for these items runs through your plan instead: contact the plan directly to confirm which suppliers are in network and what your share will be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover compression garments?

Yes, for treating lymphedema. Since January 1, 2024, Medicare Part B covers standard and custom gradient compression garments (daytime and nighttime), wraps with adjustable straps, and bandaging supplies, as long as you have a lymphedema diagnosis, a written order, and a Medicare-enrolled DMEPOS supplier.

Does Medicare cover compression stockings for reasons other than lymphedema?

This particular benefit is written for lymphedema. The coverage established by the Lymphedema Treatment Act is tied to a lymphedema diagnosis, so compression items ordered for other conditions aren't covered under it.

How much do the garments cost me?

Your share is the standard Part B coinsurance: 20% of the approved amount once you've met the deductible ($283 in 2026)., That 20% is figured on the Medicare-approved amount, not the supplier's retail sticker price, so the number to ask about is what Medicare approves. A Medigap plan often covers the 20% entirely.

How many compression garments will Medicare pay for?

The limits are counted per limb, not per person: swelling in both legs earns two separate allowances. Within each affected area you get 3 daytime items every 6 months and 2 nighttime items every 2 years, plus replacements for anything lost, stolen, or damaged.

Do I need a prescription?

Yes, though "prescription" undersells it. Medicare wants a written order tied to a documented lymphedema diagnosis, and the ordering provider can be a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. Without both the order and the diagnosis on file, the supplier can't bill.

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Find personalized help understanding what your lymphedema compression garments will cost under Medicare at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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