How Medicare Coverage Changes May Affect Mobile Wound Care Patients
If you or a loved one receives wound care at home, in an assisted living facility, or through a mobile wound care service, you may hear your care team mention changes to Medicare rules called LCDs. While this may sound technical, these updates can affect how quickly certain advanced wound treatments are approved — and it’s important for patients to understand what’s changing and why.
What Is an LCD (and Why Should Patients Care)?
Medicare uses rules called Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) to decide which treatments are covered and under what conditions. These rules are written by Medicare contractors and help determine when a treatment is considered medically necessary.
For wound care patients, LCDs often apply to advanced treatments like skin substitutes or biologic grafts that are used when wounds don’t heal with basic care alone.
What Changed Recently?
Starting in 2026, Medicare updated its LCDs nationwide for certain advanced wound treatments. The goal is to make sure treatments are:
-
Supported by strong medical evidence
-
Used only when appropriate
-
Properly documented
While these changes are intended to improve quality and reduce unnecessary costs, they can sometimes create extra stepsbefore certain treatments are approved.
How This May Affect Mobile Wound Care Patients
For patients receiving care at home or outside of a hospital clinic, here’s what these changes could mean in real-world terms:
1. Some Advanced Treatments May Take Longer to Approve
Medicare may now require proof that a wound has not healed after several weeks of standard care before covering advanced treatments. This doesn’t mean your care is delayed — it means your provider must carefully document progress first.
2. More Documentation Is Required (Handled by Your Care Team)
Your wound care clinician will measure and photograph wounds, track healing over time, and document treatments carefully. This protects you and ensures Medicare coverage — even though it may feel repetitive.
3. Fewer “One-Size-Fits-All” Treatments
Not every advanced product is automatically covered anymore. Your provider may recommend a different — but still effective — option that meets Medicare’s requirements and avoids unexpected costs.
4. Focus on Safety and Long-Term Healing
These rules encourage careful, step-by-step treatment to reduce infection, hospitalization, and complications like amputations. While the process may feel slower, the intent is safer, evidence-based care.
What Has Not Changed
✔ You still have the right to high-quality wound care
✔ Mobile wound care services remain covered
✔ Your provider will advocate for medically necessary treatments
✔ Appeals are available if coverage is denied
Your care team’s job is to navigate Medicare rules for you, so you can focus on healing — not paperwork.
How Philadelphia Wound Care Supports Patients
At Philadelphia Wound Care, our mobile wound care model is designed to:
-
Bring expert wound care directly to you
-
Reduce hospital visits and complications
-
Use Medicare-compliant treatments supported by medical evidence
-
Advocate for appropriate care when coverage questions arise
We stay up-to-date with Medicare policy changes so our patients don’t have to.
Final Thoughts for Patients and Caregivers
Medicare rule changes can feel confusing, but they do not mean less care — they mean more structured care. With proper documentation, expert oversight, and patient advocacy, mobile wound care remains a safe, effective way to treat chronic and complex wounds.
If you have questions about your wound treatment plan or Medicare coverage, your care team is always available to help.
John F. Curtis IV, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Philadelphia Wound Care