About
Bradford
  HIV/AIDS
Articles
  Alternative
Therapies
  HIV/AIDS
Videos
  HIV/AIDS
Links
  HIV/AIDS
News

Introduction:
Positively Positive
- Living with HIV
  Out
About
HIV
  Resume/
Curriculum Vitae:
HIV / AIDS Involvements
  Biography   HIV/AIDS
News Archive
HIV/AIDS News Bradford McIntyre

Expert Available For Comment: CMS To Cover Injections For HIV-Associated Facial Lipoatrophy

March 30, 2010 - In a landmark decision, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced it will now cover the use of FDA-approved dermal fillers for the treatment of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy (LA), severely hollowed cheeks and changes to the face's appearance resulting from HIV treatments. Specifically, CMS will cover the use of dermal fillers for Medicare beneficiaries who experience symptoms of depression from the drastic change in their appearance that can lead them to discontinue treatments.

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association (ASDSA), the advocacy arm of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), celebrated the ruling after advocating for coverage for more than a year. The ASDSA believes the decision will be an essential step to ensure affected patients receive the treatment they need to improve their quality of life and continue their therapies.

"Facial lipoatrophy can cause HIV-infected patients to look severely ill and experience such negative self images that they stop taking their antiretroviral treatments," said Alastair Carruthers, FRCPC, a past president of the ASDS who played a critical role in making the case to CMS. "FDA-approved injections can fill out the face's appearance so patients comply with their treatment regimens and are not jeopardizing their health. We wanted to show that reconstructive treatments should be considered medically necessary and covered by Medicare, particularly given that coverage of breast reconstruction following a mastectomy accounts for similar psychological effects and quality of life issues."

In making its decision, CMS referenced several articles from the ASDS' Journal Dermatologic Surgery. No other single publication was cited as frequently. Dermatologic Surgery articles mentioned included the following:

  • "ASDS Guidelines of Care: Injectable Fillers" (A. Alam, H. Gladstone, E. Kramer, et al.)
  • "Evaluation of Injectable Calcium Hydroxylapatite for the Treatment of Facial Lipoatrophy Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus" (A. Carruthers, J. Carruthers)
  • "HIV-Associated Facial Lipoatrophy" (A. Carruthers, J. Carruthers, J. James)
  • "Retreatment with Injectable Poly-l-lactic Acid for HIV-associated Facial Lipoatrophy: 24-Month Extension of the Blue Pacific Study" (GM Humble, DR Mest)
  • ###


    CONTACT:

    For ASDS:
    Lisa Johnson,
    202-296-2002 x108
    lmj@ecius.net


    "Reproduced with permission - ASDS - American Society for Dermatologic Surgery"

    ASDS - American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
    www.asds.net

     

    ...positive attitudes are not simply 'moods'

    Site Map

    Contact Bradford McIntyre.

    Web Design by Trevor Uksik

    Copyright © 2003 - 2024 Bradford McIntyre. All rights reserved.

    DESIGNED TO CREATE HIV AND AIDS AWARENESS