Re: Adhesions ARE NOT recognized as a disabling condition. Your input is needed!!

From: Gina Duncan (wanghsi@stis.net)
Sun May 19 16:49:01 2002


At Sat, 29 Dec 2001, Helen Dynda wrote: >
>[] Help the US Goverment understand the problems adhesions cause!!! Deadline is January 8th!!
>
>HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING?
>
>* Has a health professional ever told you that adhesions don't cause pain or problems?
>
>* Have you ever come across health professionals that have never heard of adhesion barriers?
>
>* Have you come across health professionals that are unwilling to use adhesion barriers?
>
>* Have you been affected by adhesions due to previous surgeries; and then you were told adhesions are not a problem?
>
>* Have you experienced a disease or illness requiring multiple surgeries?
>
>* Have you experienced a significant reduction in your quality of life due to adhesions?
>
>* Have you experienced a lack of willingness by your physician to use adhesion barriers?
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>Now you have a chance to help change all of that!!! HOW? By petitioning the U.S. Government to collect data on the significant surgical procedure known as:
>
>"APPLICATION OF AN ADHESION BARRIER for PREVENTION of ADHESIONS".
>
>To make an impact so that the government will add an ICD-9-CM code specifically for the application of an adhesion barrier to prevent adhesions, it is of utmost importance that ALL adhesion sufferers unite by sending as many petitions as possible - before January 08, 2002!!
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>1.) WHAT ARE CODES?
>
>Codes are used by physicians to record each patient's disease/disorder or surgical procedure - for use by Medicare/Medicaid, HMOs and other health insurances. If a code doesn't exist for a disease/disorder or a specific surgical procedure, then Medicare/Medicaid and other health insurances will have a reason to deny a claim for payment.
>
>Codes are also the government's means of tracking (keeping track of) the numbers of important procedures. This data is used for many things - including decisions about funding research.
>
>2.) WHY IS A CODE NEEDED?
>
>Currently ONLY the following two codes exist for adhesions:
>
>568.0 Peritoneal adhesions
>
>614.6 Pelvic peritoneal adhesions, female (postoperative) (postinfective) Adhesions:
>
>...peritubal
>
>...tubo-ovarian
>
>3.) HOW WILL THIS BE DONE?
>
>This will be done by the creation of an ICD-9-CM code.
>
>4.) WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
>
>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are considering a proposal to add an ICD-9-CM code for the application of adhesion barriers.
>
>The existence of a code for: "APPLICATION OF AN ADHESION BARRIER for PREVENTION of ADHESIONS" will enable the government and researchers to understand:
>
>...a.) the magnitude of the adhesions problem,
>
>...b.) the need for the expanded use of adhesion barriers and
>
>...c.) increased funding for research in the prevention and treatment of Adhesion Related Disorder (ARD).
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>5.) NOW IS THE TIME!!
>
>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to hear from patients and health professionals about the necessity for this code. NOW is the time for YOU to send your comments to the federal government!!!
>
>6.) WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU PARTICIPATE?
>
>Your comments will provide evidence that procedures for preventing adhesions should be considered significant procedures that require an ICD-9-CM code.
>
>7.)WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
>
>The government has set up a dedicated email address just for this project. If you have a story to tell that highlights the need for more understanding about the use of adhesion barriers, PLEASE...
>
>* Place "Adhesion Barrier Comments" in the subject line.
>
>* Send your comments by January 8, 2002
>
>* Email your comments to: IPPSNEWTECH@CMS.HHS.GOV
>
>* Please send a copy to the IAS at: david.wiseman@adhesions.org
>
>It is very important that your comments are received by January 08, 2002; because comments received after this date will not be considered.
>
>Unfortunately, the CMS will not be able to acknowledge receipt of the comments. Representatives of
>the CMS admittedly regret this, but due to the configuration of the email system, they are unable to generate an external automated response.
>
>Thank you for your input and your efforts on this very important issue.

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