For therapists, providers and patients
Compression garments wear out with daily use, and a worn garment no longer controls swelling. The fabric often looks fine long after it stops working: the elastic fibers that create pressure wear out a little with every wear and wash. Planning replacements around insurance limits keeps patients in effective compression without gaps or surprise costs.
How long garments last
Daytime garments: about six months of daily wear, sometimes sooner
Nighttime garments: usually longer, often a year or more, depending on the product
Adjustable wraps: varies by brand and use, often six months to a year
Garments wear out faster with heavy use, poor care or exposure to lotions and heat.
Signs a garment needs replacing
It's easier to put on than when it was new
It slides down, bunches, wrinkles or feels loose during the day
The fabric feels thin or stretched out
There are runs, holes, pilling, thin spots or broken seams
The silicone top band no longer holds
Swelling or aching is returning during the day
The patient's weight or limb size has changed
If any of these show up, replace the garment, even if it's less than six months old, and remeasure first if the limb may have changed.
Why two garments are better than one
Patients should have at least two garments for each affected limb: one to wear while the other is washed and drying. Rotating gives the elastic time to recover, helps each garment last longer, and means the patient is never without compression on laundry day.
How to make garments last
Wash after every wear, by hand or on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, with mild soap.
Skip bleach and fabric softener, which break down the elastic.
Air dry flat or hang to dry, away from heat. Don't use the dryer unless the label says it's safe.
Use rubber gloves or a donning aid so fingernails and rings don't snag the fabric.
Keep lotions to bedtime, or let them soak in fully first. Some creams weaken the fibers.
How insurance limits work
Most plans that cover compression set limits on how many garments a patient can receive in a set period. Since January 2024, Medicare covers compression garments for people with lymphedema, including replacements on a set schedule (generally up to three daytime garments per affected limb every 6 months). Common patterns across plans include:
A set number of daytime garments per body area every six months, often enough for patients to rotate while washing
Nighttime garments covered less often than daytime garments
Early replacement sometimes allowed if a garment is lost, damaged or no longer fits because the limb changed size, usually with documentation
Limits vary widely by plan. Some plans also require a current prescription or recent visit for each new order.
Planning ahead
Order enough garments at once to rotate while washing, within the plan's limit.
Track when the patient is eligible for the next set.
Keep prescriptions current. An expired prescription is a common cause of reorder delays.
Update measurements if the limb has changed, so the next set fits.
Document size changes if a garment needs replacing early.
How Midwest Compression can help
We track each patient's replacement schedule and reach out before they're due, and we check what the patient's plan allows before reordering. If a new prescription or measurements are needed, we contact the provider's office. Email customersupport@midwestcompression.com or call 800-883-1549.
Need forms? Find every measurement form, sizing guide and order form on our Measurement & Sizing Forms page, and manufacturer charts on our Size Charts page.
This article is general information. Coverage limits depend on each patient's insurance plan. Follow the wearing and replacement instructions from the patient's doctor or therapist.
