Medicare coverage of skin substitute grafts that can be used on chronic, non-healing diabetic foot and venous leg ulcers is moving closer to reality.
The Medicare Administrative Contractors in late April proposed a Local Coverage Determination to set coverage standards for skin substitute grafts and cellular and tissue-based products used on foot ulcers (DFUs) and venous leg ulcers (VLUs). It would widen access to those treatments for Medicare patients, in agreement with professional guidelines. Public comment was being accepted through June 8.
The announcement acknowledged DFUs and VLUs are associated with “significant morbidity, including amputations and diminished quality of life.” Multiple skin substitutes are being marketed, but there are questions about their efficacy.
“Coverage will be provided for skin substitute grafts/CTP having peer-reviewed, published evidence supporting their use as adjunctive treatment for chronic ulcers shown to have failed established methods to affect healing,” the proposal said.
