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Leigh Ann Winick, CBS News

A photo of a medical team ready for surgery in an operating room.

After Backlash, Feds Cancel Plan That Risked Limiting Breast Reconstruction Options

By Rachana Pradhan and Anna Werner, CBS News and Leigh Ann Winick, CBS News August 23, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services backed off from a plan that could have curtailed access to a type of reconstructive surgery known as DIEP flap. Breast cancer patient advocates are relieved.

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A still from a video of medical workers in surgical gowns and masks. Text on the screen reads, "Breast cancer surgery battle. CBS / KFF Health News investigation into reconstruction costs.

How a Medical Recoding May Limit Cancer Patients’ Options for Breast Reconstruction

By Rachana Pradhan and Anna Werner, CBS News and Leigh Ann Winick, CBS News May 31, 2023

The federal government’s arcane process for medical coding is influencing which reconstructive surgery options are available, creating anxiety for breast cancer patients.

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