Blog

Sep 19, 2023

Does Medicare Pay for Wound Care and Supplies?

As you get older, your body becomes more susceptible to wounds. Wounds can

As you get older, your body becomes more susceptible to wounds. Wounds can result from accidents, falls, surgery, or chronic conditions like diabetes.

Wounds can also take longer to heal when you’re older. If you have a wound, it's important to properly care for it. As long as a wound remains open, you are at increased risk of infection.

The good news is that Medicare does pay for medically necessary wound care supplies and treatment. It's important to know in advance what the 2020 Medicare guidelines are, so you can keep your costs low while getting the proper care for your wound(s).

Medicare Part A covers medical care you receive in an inpatient facility like a hospital, inpatient rehab facility, or skilled nursing facility.

Medicare Part B covers any outpatient wound care you receive from either your healthcare provider or skilled nursing care facility. Part B covers both the cost of your treatment and any medically necessary supplies your healthcare provider uses to care for your wounds.

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a health insurance plan that provides the same basic coverage as Medicare parts A and B but usually with additional benefits. Talk to your Medicare Advantage insurer for details of your plan's wound care coverage.

Medigap, or supplemental insurance, is a private insurance plan that helps cover your part of Medicare costs. This kind of plan will help you pay for any additional out-of-pocket wound care costs after Medicare pays its portion.

If your doctor recommends a newer type of wound care therapy, like stem cell treatments for example, verify first that Medicare will pay for the therapy. If it's not an approved therapy, you will be responsible for the full cost, which can be expensive.

The following types of supplies are generally covered, when prescribed or provided by a healthcare provider:

Primary dressings (applied directly to the wound):

Secondary supplies (used to keep primary dressings secure):

Disposable wound care supplies like adhesive bandages, gauze, and topical antibacterial creams aren't covered if you buy them for yourself. Medicare doesn't consider these everyday items to be "durable medical equipment," so they aren't included under Part B.

If you’re receiving wound treatment as part of long-term care at a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will only pay for your wound care supplies up until the 100-day limit for each benefit period. After 100 days, you will be charged the full amount for services and supplies.

While keeping wounds clean and covered is part of good wound care, Medicare does not consider bathing and dressing to be part of wound care. Those are considered "custodial care" services, which aren't covered by Medicare.

To receive benefits from Medicare, you must be enrolled in original Medicare (Part A and Part B), or you must be enrolled in a Part C/Medicare Advantage plan. For wound care supplies and care to be covered, you will first need to meet your annual deductible and then pay any applicable copays or premiums due.

Before you begin treatment, it's a good idea to verify that your doctor is an enrolled Medicare provider. Your doctor will have to provide a signed, dated order for the wound care supplies you need, clearly stating:

For most Medicare beneficiaries, there is no premium for Medicare Part A. In 2020, you’ll likely pay the annual deductible of $1,408 toward wound care treatments received in a hospital or other inpatient facility.

After you’ve met the deductible, you’ll have a certain period where you’ll pay nothing for these services. Once these time periods have passed (which are different at hospitals vs. skilled nursing facilities), you will begin to pay a daily coinsurance amount.

You won't be charged for any supplies that your healthcare provider uses while you’re being treated.

If you receive outpatient wound care, you’ll need to meet a Medicare Part B deductible of $198. You’ll also need to pay the monthly Part B premium, which in 2020 is $144.60.

After you’ve met the deductible and paid the premium, you’ll only be responsible for 20 percent of the approved cost for wound care. Supplies used by your healthcare provider are fully covered.

If you have a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Medigap plan, your premiums, coinsurance payments, and annual deductible vary according to your plan. Check with your insurer as early as possible in the treatment process so you know what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.

Older adults are more likely to have chronic conditions that can lead to wounds, such as diabetes, venous insufficiency (poor circulation), and obesity. Your skin may also become more vulnerable to injuries if you have a minor accident. Decreased mobility can also increase your risk of pressure wounds.

Common wounds requiring professional care include:

At a wound care appointment, a healthcare professional will examine your wound for signs of infection. They may also measure your wound and check the area around it to see if there is a healthy blood supply.

After the exam, your doctor will create a treatment plan. Before you leave, a healthcare provider will clean the wound and apply a dressing to protect it while it heals.

Some wound treatment plans include debridement, or removal of dead skin from around the wound. If the wound is large, you may be placed under general anesthesia during the procedure.

Here are some things you can do to help your body with recovery and wound healing:

Getting the right wound care is critical as you get older due to a higher chance for accidents and longer time to heal.

Medicare Part A covers your treatment and supplies when you receive wound care at an inpatient facility. Medicare Part B provides coverage for outpatient wound care.

Private Medicare Part C plans also offer wound care coverage, but the specifics vary according to the plan. If you have a Medigap plan, it will likely pay some of the costs you have after Medicare has paid its portion.

Before you get treatment, make sure your doctor is enrolled in Medicare and the treatment methods and supplies are Medicare-approved.