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Reimbursement for Wound Dressings

Jennifer Gardner-Harbison, PT, DPT, MHA, CWS

March 26, 2014

Question

Is there any reimbursement for wound dressings?

Answer

It depends upon the funding source.  Medicare does not pay for dressings.  It is rolled into the treatment cost and is part of the "cost of doing business", so to speak.  For skin substitutes, like OASIS, has a CPT code and can be billed. However, general dressings are not covered.  Some private insurances will pay a percentage of charge, while others will pay for the procedure only.


jennifer gardner harbison

Jennifer Gardner-Harbison, PT, DPT, MHA, CWS

Dr. Gardner-Harbison has been a physical therapist since 1997, with the last 20+ years concentrated solely on wound care. She has been a Certified Wound Specialist since 2001.  Prior to entering the industry, she served as the Manager of Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen at Inspira Medical Center Woodbury for 10 years.  In 2017, she moved to the industry side of wound care.  In 2026, she returned to her PT roots and joined Fox Rehab. Dr. Gardner also sat on the APTA Integumentary Specialty Council for 3 years, during which the first certification exam for Wound Management Clinical Specialist was administered. After her term on the Council, she also served as a subject matter expert for the Wound Management Certification exam. 


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