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Medicare Coverage Determinations for Wound Care

Medicare Coverage Determinations for Wound Care

Medicare Coverage Determinations for Wound Care

INTRODUCTION

To ensure proper Medicare reimbursement and smooth Medicare audits, clinicians must familiarize themselves with the Coding and Reimbursement guidelines for Wound Care and ensure compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This topic provides a map of the Medicare Part A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors Jurisdictions and respective coverage determinations. For Medicare Coverage Determinations for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, see "Medicare Coverage Determinations for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy"


NATIONAL OR LOCAL COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS

The map below shows the Medicare Part A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) Jurisdictions. MACs determine which types of interventions are covered along with documentation needed to justify medical necessity, utilization guidelines, frequency allowed, etc. Clinicians who bill Medicare should adhere to the guidance provided by their MAC to ensure proper reimbursement and smooth audits, should they occur. 

Instructions

  1. On the map below, find your state and respective MAC (see abbreviation of the MAC in the white bubbles)
  2. In the table below the map, find your MAC in the left column. In the right column, check if the MAC follows its own Local Coverage Determination (LCD) or if it follows the National Coverage Determination (NCD) 
  3. To go to the NCD or LCD, click on its reference number (in blue brackets in the right column). On the reference page, click on the green button "View Source".
  4. See details on requirements, medical necessity and documentation on specific Medicare National and Local Coverage Determinations
  5. For latest updates of each NCD, LCD or local coverage article, scroll to the bottom section 'Revision History Information'

Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)  
Local Coverage Determinations (LCD) and Policy Articles
CGS Administrators, LLC (CGS)
  • L34045 Non-Invasive Vascular Studies [1]
  • A56697 Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies [2]
  • L34049 Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services [3]
  • A57067 Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services [4]
  • L36690 Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities [5]
  • L34032 Debridement Services [6]
  • A56459    Billing and Coding for Debridement Services A56459  [7]
  • L33942 Physical Therapy - Home Health [8]
  • A57311 Billing and Coding: Physical Therapy - Home Health [9]
  • L33830    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 1 [10]
  • A52489 Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 1 - Policy Article [11]
  • L33642 Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 [12]
  • A52490    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 - Policy Article [13]
  • L33692    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 3 [14]
  • A52468    Local Coverage Article: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 3 - Policy Article [15]
  • L33829 Pneumatic Compression Devices [16]
  • A52488    Pneumatic Compression Devices - Policy Article [17]
  • L33821 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps [18]
  • A52511 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps - Policy Article [19]
  • L34049    Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services [3]
  • L33831    Local Coverage Determination for Surgical Dressings [20]
  • A54563 Surgical Dressings - Policy Article [21]
  • A56175 Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound (CPT code 97610) [22]
  • A55426   Standard Documentation Requirements for All Claims Submitted to DME MACs [23]
  • L36690 Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities [24]
  • A56696 Billing and Coding: Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities [25]
  • A55276 Response to Comments: Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based products (CTPs), Lower Extremities [26]
First Coast Service Options, Inc. (FCSO)
  • L33413 Therapy and Rehabilitation Services [27]
  • L33696 Noninvasive Physiologic Studies of Upper or Lower Extremity Arteries LCD First Coast Service Options, Inc. [28]
  • A57126 Billing and Coding: Noninvasive Physiologic Studies of Upper or Lower Extremity Arteries [29]
  • A57156    Billing and Coding: Therapy and Rehabilitation Services [30]
  • L37166    Wound Care  [31]
  • A55818 Billing and Coding: Wound Care [32]
  • A55757 Wound care (L37166): Medicare Part A/B local coverage determination (LCD) comment summary [33]
  • A55767 Wound care – New Part A and Part B LCD RETIRED [34]
  • A55837 Wound care revision to the Part A and Part B LCD RETIRED [35]
  • A56350   Revisions to multiple Part A and Part B LCDs RETIRED [36]
  • L36377   Application of Skin Substitute Grafts for Treatment of DFU and VLU of Lower Extremities [37]
  • A55375   Application of skin substitute grafts for treatment of DFU and VLU of lower extremities overpayments resulting from claims processing issue RETIRED [38]
  • A57680 Billing and Coding: Application of Skin Substitute Grafts for Treatment of DFU and VLU of Lower Extremities [39]
  • A55813 Response to Comments: Application of Skin Substitute Grafts for Treatment of DFU and VLU of Lower Extremities [40]
National Government Services, Inc. (NGS)
  • L33563 Incision and Drainage (I & D) of Abscess of Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures [41]
  • L33614 Debridement Services [42]
  • A56617 Billing and Coding: Debridement Services [43]
  • L33631 Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services [44]
  • A56566 Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services [45]
  • A57759 Billing and Coding: Routine Foot Care and Debridement of Nail [46]
  • A56758   Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies [47]
  • L33627   Non-Invasive Vascular Studies [48]
Noridian
  • A53046 Wound Care and Debridement - Provided by a Therapist, Physician, NPP, or as Incident-to Services  [49]
  • A53296 Wound Care & Debridement - Provided by a Therapist, Physician, NPP or as Incident-to Services [50]
  • A52959 Billing and Coding: Lymphedema Decongestive Treatment [51]
  • A55710 Lymphedema Decongestive Treatment [52]
  • A57459 Billing and Coding: Treatment of Ulcers & Symptomatic Hyperkeratoses  RETIRED [53]
  • A57460 Billing and Coding: Treatment of Ulcers & Symptomatic Hyperkeratoses RETIRED [54]
  • A52918 Coverage of Foot Care Services [55]
  • L33821 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps [18]
  • A52511 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps - Policy Article [19]
  • L33829 Pneumatic Compression Devices [16]
  • L33830    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 1 [10]
  • A52489 Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 1 - Policy Article [11]
  • L33642 Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 [12]
  • A52490    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 - Policy Article [13]
  • L33692    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 3 [14]
  • A52468    Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 3 - Policy Article [15]
  • L33831    Local Coverage Determination for Surgical Dressings [20]
  • A54563 Surgical Dressings - Policy Article [21]
  • L38904   Local Coverage Determination Wound and Ulcer Care  [56]  
  • A58567   Billing and Coding: Wound and Ulcer Care  [57]
  • A58904   Response to Comments: Wound and Ulcer Care [58]
  • A56155 Use of Amniotic Membrane Derived Skin Substitutes RETIRED [59]
  • A56156 Use of Amniotic Membrane Derived Skin Substitutes RETIRED  [60]
Novitas Solutions, Inc.
  • L35125 Wound Care [61]
  • A53001 Billing and Coding: Wound Care [62]
  • L35041 Application of Bioengineered Skin Substitutes to Lower Extremity Chronic Non-Healing Wounds [63]
  • A54117    Billing and Coding: Application of Bioengineered Skin Substitutes to Lower Extremity Chronic Non-Healing Wounds [64]
  • L35036    Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (PT, OT) [65]
  • A55578    Response to Comments: DL35125, Wound Care [61]
Palmetto
  • L34428 Outpatient Physical Therapy [66]
  • L34427 Outpatient Occupational Therapy [67]
  • A53057 Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy [68] 
  • A56731    Billing and Coding: Nerve Blocks and Electrostimulation for Peripheral Neuropathy [69] 
  • A53065    Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy [70]
  • A53781    Billing and Coding: Spiracur SNaP® Wound Care System [71]
  • A54555 Billing and Coding: Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound (CPT code 97610) [72] 
  • A53064    Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy [73]
  • A53773 Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound (CPT code 97610) [74]
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS)
  • L37228 Wound Care [75]
  • DL37228  Wound Care [76]
  • A55910    Response to Comments: Wound Care (DL37228) [76]
  • A55909 Billing and Coding: Wound Care [77]
  • L35761   Non-Invasive Peripheral Arterial Vascular Studies [78]   
  • A57593  Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Peripheral Arterial Vascular Studies [79]


Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) Development and Reconsideration Processes

All stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the LCD Process as well as the LCD Reconsideration Process. Recent regulations have made both processes transparent and open to everyone, including Medicare beneficiaries. For more information, consult the MLN Matters document on the topic MM10901.[80] 
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NOTE: This is a controlled document. This document is not a substitute for proper training, experience, and exercising of professional judgment. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, neither the authors nor the Wound Reference, Inc. give any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in them nor accept any liability, with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omissions in the contents of the work.

REFERENCES

  1. CGS. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Non-Invasive Vascular Studies (L34045) . 2019;.
  2. CGS. Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies A56697 . 2019;.
  3. CGS Administrators. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services (L34049) . 2015;.
  4. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services (A57067) . 2019;.
  5. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities (L36690) . 2022;.
  6. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): DEBRIDEMENT Services (L34032) . 2022;.
  7. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding for DEBRIDEMENT Services (A56459) . 2022;.
  8. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Physical Therapy - Home Health (L33942) . 2015;.
  9. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Billing and Coding: Physical Therapy - Home Health (A57311) . 2019;.
  10. CGS Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 1(L33830) . 2015;.
  11. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC, CGS Administrators LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 1 - Policy Article (A52489) . 2017;.
  12. CGS Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 (L33642) . 2015;.
  13. CGS Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 2 - Policy Article (A52490) . 2015;.
  14. CGS Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 3 (L33692) . 2015;.
  15. CGS Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces - Group 3 - Policy Article (A52468) . 2015;.
  16. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Pneumatic Compression Devices (L33829) . 2015;.
  17. CGS Administrators, LLC and Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Pneumatic Compression Devices - Policy Article (A52488) . 2015;.
  18. CGS Administrators, LLC and Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps (L33821) . 2015;.
  19. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps - Policy Article (A52511) . 2015;.
  20. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), et al. Local Coverage Determination for Surgical Dressings (L33831) . 2015;.
  21. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, et al. Local Coverage Article for Surgical Dressings - Policy Article (A54563) . 2015;.
  22. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound (CPT code 97610) (A56175) . 2018;.
  23. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Standard Documentation Requirements for All Claims Submitted to DME MACs (A55426) . 2017;.
  24. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities (L36690) . 2022;.
  25. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Billing and Coding: Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based Products (CTPs), Lower Extremities (A56696) . 2022;.
  26. CGS Administrators, LLC et al. Response to Comments: Wound Application of Cellular and/or Tissue Based products (CTPs), Lower Extremities (A55276) . 2022;.
  27. First Coast Service Options. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (L33413) . 2015;.
  28. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Noninvasive Physiologic Studies of Upper or Lower Extremity Arteries (L33696) . 2019;.
  29. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Billing and Coding: Noninvasive Physiologic Studies of Upper or Lower Extremity Arteries (A57126) . 2020;.
  30. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Billing and Coding: Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (A57156) . 2018;.
  31. First Coast Service Options. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Wound Care (L37166) . 2017;.
  32. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Billing and Coding: Wound Care (A55818) . 2017;.
  33. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: WOUND CARE (L37166): Medicare Part A/B local coverage determination (LCD) comment summary (A55757) . 2017;.
  34. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Wound Care – New Part A and Part B LCD (A55767) . 2017;.
  35. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Wound Care revision to the Part A and Part B LCD (A55837) . 2017;.
  36. First Coast Service Inc. Local Coverage Article: Revisions to multiple Part A and Part B LCDs (A56350) . 2019;.
  37. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Application of SKIN SUBSTITUTE Grafts for Treatment of DFU and VLU of Lower Extremities (L36377) . 2015;.
  38. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Application of skin substitute grafts for treatment of DFU and VLU of lower extremities overpayments resulting from claims processing issue (A55375) . 2016;.
  39. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Application of Skin Substitute Grafts for Treatment of DFU and VLU of Lower Extremities (A57680) . 2018;.
  40. First Coast Service Options, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Response to Comments: Application of SKIN SUBSTITUTE Grafts for Treatment of DFU and VLU of Lower Extremities (A55813) . 2015;.
  41. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Incision and Drainage (I & D) of Abscess of Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures (L33563) . 2015;.
  42. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Debridement Services (L33614) . 2015;.
  43. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Debridement Services (A56617) . 2019;.
  44. National Government Services. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services (L33631) . 2015;.
  45. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical and Occupational Therapy Services (A56566) . 2019;.
  46. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Billing and Coding: Routine Foot Care and Debridement of Nails (A57759) . 2019;.
  47. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Vascular Studies (A56758) . 2019;.
  48. National Government Services, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Non-Invasive Vascular Studies (L33627) . 2019;.
  49. Noridian Healthcare Solutions LLC. Local Coverage Article: Wound Care and Debridement - Provided by a Therapist, Physician, NPP, or as Incident-to Services (A53046) . 2015;.
  50. Noridian. Local Coverage Article: WOUND Care & Debridement – Provided by a Therapist, Physician, NPP or as Incident-to Services (A53296) . 2015;.
  51. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Lymphedema Decongestive Treatment (A52959) . 2015;.
  52. Noridian Healthcare Solutions LLC. Local Coverage Article: Lymphedema Decongestive Treatment (A55710) . 2017;.
  53. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Treatment of Ulcers & Symptomatic Hyperkeratoses (A57459) . 2019;.
  54. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Treatment of Ulcers & Symptomatic Hyperkeratoses (A57460) . 2019;.
  55. Noridian. Local Coverage Article: Coverage of Foot CARE Services (A52918) . 2015;.
  56. Noridian Healthcare Solutions. Local Coverage Determination: Wound and Ulcer Care (L38904) . 2021;.
  57. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC et al. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Wound and Ulcer Care (A58567) . 2022;.
  58. Noridian Healthcare Solutions. Response to Comments: Wound and Ulcer Care (A58904) . 2021;.
  59. Noridian Healthcare Solutions. Local Coverage Article: Use of Amniotic Membrane Derived Skin Substitutes (A56155) . 2018;.
  60. Noridian Healthcare Solutions. Local Coverage Article: Use of Amniotic Membrane Derived Skin Substitutes (A56156) . 2018;.
  61. Novitas Solutions, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Response to Comments: DL35125, WOUND CARE (A55578) . 2017;.
  62. Novitas Solutions Inc. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Wound Care (A53001) . 2015;.
  63. Novitas Solutions, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Application of Bioengineered SKIN SUBSTITUTEs to Lower Extremity Chronic Non-Healing Wounds (L35041) . 2015;.
  64. Novitas Solutions, Inc. et al. Local Coverage Article: Application of Bioengineered SKIN SUBSTITUTEs to Lower Extremity Chronic Non-Healing Wounds (A54117) . 2015;.
  65. Novitas Solutions. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (PT, OT) (L35036) . 2015;.
  66. Palmetto GBA. Outpatient Physical Therapy (L34428) . 2015;.
  67. Palmetto GBA. Outpatient Occupational Therapy (L34427) . 2015;.
  68. Palmetto GBA. Billing and Coding: Home Health Occupational Therapy (A53057) . 2015;.
  69. Palmetto GBA. Billing and Coding: Nerve Blocks and Electrostimulation for Peripheral Neuropathy (A56731) . 2019;.
  70. Palmetto GBA. Billing and Coding: Outpatient Physical Therapy (A53065) . 2015;.
  71. Palmetto GBA. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Spiracur SNaP® WOUND CARE System (A53781) . 2015;.
  72. Palmetto GBA. Local Coverage Article: Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound (CPT code 97610) (A54555) . 2015;.
  73. Palmetto GBA. Billing and Coding: Outpatient Occupational Therapy (A53064) . 2015;.
  74. Palmetto GBA. Local Coverage Article: Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound (CPT code 97610) (A53773) . 2015;.
  75. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. Local Coverage Determination (LCD): WOUND CARE (L37228) . 2018;.
  76. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. Local Coverage Article: Response to Comments: WOUND CARE (DL37228) (A55910) . 2018;.
  77. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Wound Care (A55909) . 2018;.
  78. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation . Non-Invasive Peripheral Arterial Vascular Studies (L35761) . 2019;.
  79. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Non-Invasive Peripheral Arterial Vascular Studies (A57593) . 2019;.
Topic 1428 Version 1.0