When Compliance Is Not Enough: Skin Substitute Audits, Due Process, and the Collapse of Wound Care Practices

B. Moira Sykstus, MHA, CPCO, CPMA, RRT, CHT, DAPWCA Over the past two years, Medicare’s oversight of skin substitute products has shifted from targeted program-integrity review to a level of enforcement that many providers now describe as existential. Across the country,…

Rethinking regulatory tiers: Medicare real-world evidence shows CAMP outcomes are independent of FDA regulatory classification
APWCA: CALL TO ACTION: *Oppose LCD as written!* CONTACT LEGISLATORS TODAY – set to go into effect 4/13

Attention APWCA Members & Stakeholders: CALL TO ACTIONWe need your voice once again! A peer-reviewed manuscript accepted to be published in the Journal of Wound Care The hidden costs of limiting access: clinical and economic risks of Medicare’s future effective cellular, acellular and…

Don’t miss out! Register today for November 19th!
Don’t miss out! Register today!
APWCA SIGs (Special Interest Groups)

In support of its ongoing efforts to enhance quality wound care through promoting inter-professional collaboration, the American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) is launching several Special Interest Groups (SIGs). We are inviting interested individuals to join and participate in these…

Reimbursement Thursday Tidbits

Ever wish your MAC (Medicare Administrative Contractor) had a report card you could fill out? They do!  How Can I Give Feedback About My MAC? · J5 – Wisconsin Physician Services · J6 – National Government Services · J8 – Wisconsin…

Thursday Tip: ASP Drugs and Biologics Quarterly Update April 2024

Highlights from the ASP Quarterly Update ASP Skin Substitute Codes added effective April 1, 2024 HCPCS Descriptor Q4184 Cellesta or duo per sq cm Q4168 Amnio band, 1 mg Q4188 Amnio armor 1 sq cm Q4259 Celera per sq cm…

2024 JWC Award Winners – APWCA Receives Silver Honor!

The 2024 JWC Award winners have now been announced! The American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) is honored to be the recipient of the Silver Medal in the award category of Cellular, Acellular, and Matrix-like Products (CAMPs). This achievement was made possible thanks…

New in 2024 – APWCA Quarterly Webinar Series

The American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA) is pleased to introduce our newest educational offering. Throughout 2024 there will be quarterly webinars sponsored by our generous sponsors each season. Please save the dates to join us for these informative online…

Jeffrey A. Niezgoda

MD, MAPWCA,FACP, FIDSA, FUHMS, CW

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.

Barbara Delmore

PhD, RN, CWCN, MAPWCA

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.

Jeffrey Lehrman

DPM, FASPS, MAPWCA

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.

Mark Melin

MD, FACS, RPVI, FACCWS

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.

Kathya Zinszer

DPM, FAPWCA

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.

Thomas E. Serena

MD, FACS, FACHM, MAPWCA

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.