APWCA advocates for healthcare professionals and the patients they serve by engaging with policymakers, regulatory agencies, professional organizations, and healthcare stakeholders on issues affecting wound care practice, reimbursement, education, and patient access.
As a multidisciplinary professional association, APWCA works to ensure that the voices of wound care clinicians are represented in conversations that shape healthcare policy and influence the future of wound care delivery.
Through ongoing monitoring of regulatory developments, collaboration with industry stakeholders, and participation in advocacy initiatives, APWCA helps support an environment where clinicians can deliver high-quality, evidence-informed wound care while maintaining patient access to necessary treatments and services.
APWCA actively reviews proposed regulations, reimbursement policies, and healthcare initiatives that may impact wound care clinicians and patient care.
This includes monitoring Medicare Physician Fee Schedule updates, OPPS and ASC reimbursement policies, Quality reporting requirements, Coverage determinations, and Regulatory proposals affecting wound care practice.
APWCA actively reviews proposed regulations, reimbursement policies, and healthcare initiatives that may impact wound care clinicians and patient care.
APWCA is a member of the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to promoting quality wound care and patient access to products and services.
Through collaboration with the Alliance and other organizations, APWCA helps support advocacy initiatives that strengthen the wound care profession and improve patient outcomes.
Advocacy efforts help ensure that patients maintain access to evidence-based wound care treatments, technologies, and services while supporting healthcare professionals who provide those services.
APWCA leaders and wound care experts have participated in advocacy efforts related to reimbursement policies that may impact access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other advanced wound care services.
These efforts focus on protecting patient access to clinically appropriate treatments while supporting healthcare organizations and providers delivering specialized wound care services.
Featured Advocacy Letter
Response regarding Medicare reimbursement changes affecting Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2).
Advocacy helps ensure that the perspectives of wound care professionals and their patients are represented during healthcare policy and reimbursement discussions.
APWCA participates in advocacy, policy engagement, education, and professional representation efforts related to wound care and patient access.
APWCA monitors reimbursement policies, regulatory changes, quality reporting initiatives, coverage determinations, and healthcare developments affecting wound care professionals.
The Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders is a multidisciplinary organization focused on improving access to quality wound care products and services while advancing patient care.
Advancing wound care requires more than clinical expertise it requires collaboration, leadership, education, and advocacy.
APWCA works to support healthcare professionals while promoting policies and initiatives that improve patient access to quality wound care. Together, we can help shape the future of the profession and the patients we serve.
Dr. Jeffrey Niezgoda is a nationally recognized leader in wound care, hyperbaric medicine, limb preservation, and regenerative medicine with more than 30 years of clinical experience. He is the Past President of the American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) and the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine.
Dr. Niezgoda has directed advanced wound care and hyperbaric programs, contributed to medical device development and clinical research, and served in leadership roles supporting innovation in wound management technologies and patient care. His expertise includes wound healing, vascular care, hyperbaric medicine, and regenerative clinical services.
Dr. Barbara Delmore is a board-certified wound care nurse, researcher, educator, and Senior Nurse Scientist at NYU Langone Health. With more than 35 years of nursing experience, she specializes in pressure injury prevention, chronic wound management, and evidence-based wound care practices.
Dr. Delmore has authored numerous publications, served on professional advisory boards, and received national recognition for her contributions to wound care research, education, and clinical innovation.
Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman is a nationally recognized expert in wound care documentation, coding, compliance, and podiatric medicine. Through Lehrman Consulting, LLC, he provides education and guidance related to healthcare coding, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.
Dr. Lehrman serves as a staff liaison at the AMA CPT® Editorial Panel meetings and has held leadership positions within APWCA and other professional organizations focused on wound care and podiatric surgery.
Dr. Mark Melin is a Senior Associate Consultant at the Mayo Clinic specializing in wound care, vascular medicine, and advanced wound healing technologies. His clinical expertise includes vascular assessment, chronic wound management, and emerging technologies in wound care.
Dr. Melin actively contributes to research, education, and advancements in wound healing practices focused on improving patient outcomes and interdisciplinary care.
Dr. Kathya Zinszer is a podiatric physician specializing in diabetic foot care, wound management, limb preservation, and public health advocacy. She currently serves at Geisinger Medical Center and has extensive experience in both clinical practice and wound care education.
Dr. Zinszer has contributed to wound care publications, professional organizations, and clinical guideline initiatives related to diabetic foot management and wound prevention strategies.
Dr. Thomas Serena is an internationally recognized wound care specialist, researcher, educator, and founder of The SerenaGroup®. He has established wound care centers throughout the United States and internationally and has led more than 100 clinical trials focused on wound healing and advanced therapies.
Dr. Serena has authored hundreds of scientific publications, delivered lectures worldwide, and held leadership positions within multiple wound care organizations, including APWCA, the Wound Healing Society, and the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine.
