Millions of Americans suffer from chronic wounds that are hard to heal and require the use of skin substitutes, which physicians use because they improve patient outcomes. Many of these products are made from amniotic membranes (donated human placental tissue after birth) and are highly effective in treating persistent and chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure wounds. Patients rely on skin substitute products to avoid limb amputations, which double the risk of dying within five years for diabetic patients.
Due to an abrupt decision by seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to eliminate coverage, these proven wound care therapies may no longer be accessible to you and your loved ones. Their proposal would deny coverage for over 200 skin substitute products, leaving only 15 covered products to serve Medicare beneficiaries nationwide and substantially reducing the number of therapies allowed per patient.