12/19/2025
Alongside Dr. Shawn Naqvi and Dr. Shaun Carpenter, we met with congressional leadership and senior CMS policy officials to discuss the upcoming Skin Substitute LCD changes.
Our message was simple and consistent:
Protect patient access to limb- and life-saving wound care therapies while allowing the necessary time for research to mature and validate these advanced products.
A few key points from our meetings:
• Cost reduction is a primary driver behind these policy changes.
• Coverage for pressure injuries and open wounds may become discretionary at the MAC level, increasing uncertainty for clinicians and patients starting January 1.
These changes have real consequences. Delayed access to advanced wound care leads to delayed healing, higher complication rates, and worse outcomes for vulnerable patients. At the same time, we recognize and support CMS’s responsibility to pursue responsible cost savings that ensure the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.
Importantly, emerging clinical literature continues to demonstrate the role of advanced wound therapies in improving healing outcomes and reducing downstream costs when used appropriately, including recent findings published in the Journal of Wound Care (2025).
We will continue advocating for evidence-based policy that prioritizes patients while balancing fiscal responsibility.
More to come.
