Breakthrough in lipedema: liposuction now cash output!

Breakthrough in lipedema: liposuction now cash output!

Bad Belzig, Deutschland - The Federal Joint Committee (GBA) has made an important decision: Liposuction, also known as liposuction, is now recognized as a control output of the statutory health insurance companies. This applies in particular to the treatment of lipedema patients, an illness that affects almost exclusively women and is associated with painful fat accumulations in the legs and arms. How [maz-online.de] (https://www.maz-online.de/lokales/potsdam-mittelmark/bad-belzig/lipoedem-beitung-der-fettabena Investigation-cash performance-expert-spoken-Teber treatment-gaf6w25iofeudce4ng6qlunyhy.html? Outputtype = valid_amp) reports, this decision is based on the results of the Lipleg study, which proves clear advantages of operational treatment towards conservative therapies.

The effects of this decision are extremely important for affected women, since the diagnosis of lipedema often represents a long odyssey. According to experts, it usually takes seven to ten years for the disease to be diagnosed because there is no biological marker and the determination is mostly clinically. Hormones and genetic factors play a role here. Conservative therapy that includes things such as compression wapping and movement therapy often does not have the desired effects on the quality of life of the patients. Therefore, the operational liposuction, which can require several interventions, is now a glimmer of hope for many.

new guidelines for treatment

It should be emphasized that the liposuction is now also approved for the arms of the patients. The previous requirements, according to which this treatment was only approved as a cash benefit in the advanced stage III. Specific criteria now apply: the diagnosis must be made according to a 4-eye principle, the body weight must remain stable or reduced over a period of six months and it must be proven that the conservative therapies were not sufficient.

dr. Mojtaba Ghods, chief physician of the clinic for plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive microsurgery at the Ernst von Bergmann-Klinikum and pioneer in lipedema research, was significantly involved in the Lipleg study. He emphasizes the importance of these developments for the patients: "We are pleased that women now have access to effective therapy, regardless of their financial situation." This becomes clear in the results of the Lipeg study, which showed a significant improvement in the quality of life of the patients who have undergone liposuction. This study comprised 450 patients and is an important basis for the current decisions.

A look into the future

The increase in operational measures could also have a positive impact on research on the disease. Current projects aim to find a diagnostic biomarker for lipedema as well as to develop drug therapies. So far, there have only been limited options in the medical treatment of lipedema. These new developments could help to significantly improve the quality of life of those affected.

The publication of the decision on the assumption of costs is expected for October, and many hope that a new era will be heralded in the treatment of lipedema. However, patient representatives already express concerns about some details of the quality assurance directive and the required limit values.

In any case, those affected look forward to an improved supply situation, because they now have the opportunity to relieve pain and symptoms sustainably and to make their everyday life significantly easier. A positive development that shows that the votes of the patients were heard and medical research finally finds their place in the health system.

For further information on the change in cash services, see also the reports on presseportal.de and aok.de .