New Codes Allow U.S. Medicare Reimbursement for MEDIHONEY Wound Care Products

Derma Sciences Receives Reimbursement Codes for their New MEDIHONEY Wound & Burn Dressings
Adequate Reimbursement Through Medicare Part-B Plays a Crucial Role in the Adoption of New Technologies

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Derma Sciences, a manufacturer and marketer of advanced wound care products, today announced that the Statistical Analysis Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (SADMERC) – a contracted intermediary and carrier for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – has notified the company of its decision regarding Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for billing purposes for MEDIHONEY Calcium Alginate dressings with Active Leptospermum Honey. The awarded codes are as follows:

* A6196 Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound cover, pad size 16 square inches or less, each dressing (Item # 31022)
* A6197 Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound cover, pad size more than 16 square inches but less than or equal to 48 square inches, each dressing (Item # 31045)
* A6199 Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing, wound filler, per 6 inches (Item # 310212)

This will allow applicable customers to bill for MEDIHONEY Dressings using these codes, including the Medicare’s Part B program, private insurance plans and the various Medicaid programs. Medicare Part B provides coverage for ‘Surgical Dressings’ for patients at home between clinic or physician visits and when not receiving home health nursing services. It also provides wound dressings for residents in Nursing Homes not under a Medicare Part A ‘skilled care’ benefit stay who have Part B coverage. The Medicaid programs (one for each state) provide ‘Surgical Dressings’ for at home use by the beneficiary. Insurance plans often provide payment for wound dressings in addition to the coverage of care in a Nursing Home and for dressings used at home by the patient and in some cases when home health services are provided. This greatly enhances Derma Sciences’ ability to penetrate the long term care and home health markets…