Products
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted HEALTHPOINT, Ltd, Fort Worth, TX, a patent for the ointment vehicle that is the basis for Xenaderm, a prescription-only ointment that promotes healing and acts as a protective covering for wounds. The patent describes the composition and method of manufacture of a pharmaceutically elegant, topical vegetable oil-based ointment containing hydrogenated castor oil and a drug active. According to the company, the ointment will serve as a vehicle for a variety of drug active ingredients, replacing the use of petroleum-based ointments.
The Statistical Analysis Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (SADMERC) has assigned PROMOGRAN Matrix, manufactured and marketed by Johnson & Johnson Wound Management, Somerville, NJ, to the collagen category under HCPCS codes A6021 and A6022 for Part B Medicare reimbursement. * The fee schedule ranges up to approximately $21.00 per application.
PROMOGRAN Matrix is an advanced wound care device comprised of a sterile, freeze-dried matrix composite of 45% oxidized regenerated cellulose and 55% collagen. In the presence of exudate, the PROMOGRAN Matrix transforms into a conformable, biodegradable gel, allowing contact with all areas of the wound. PROMOGRAN Matrix is indicated for the management of multiple wound types, including diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, and pressure ulcers.
Reimbursement
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been asked by Diapulse Corporation of America, Inc, Great Neck, NY, to reconsider the national coverage policy on electrical stimulation for wounds. On July 23, 2002, CMS posted a decision memorandum announcing its intent to issue a positive national coverage policy for electrical stimulation for the treatment of wounds; the policy would not provide coverage for the use of electromagnetic therapy for this indication. On October 18, 2002, CMS accepted a formal request to reconsider the noncoverage of electromagnetic therapy for wounds.
On November 8, 2002, CMS issued a program memorandum stating that for services performed on or after April 1, 2003, Medicare will cover electrical stimulation for the treatment of wounds only for chronic Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers. For more information, visit the CMS Web site, http://www.cms.gov.
FOOTNOTES
* Information provided is for information purposes only and represents no statement, promise, or guarantee by presenter or ETHICON concerning levels of reimbursement, payment, or charge and is not intended to increase or maximize reimbursement. All coding and payment information is supplied for information purposes only and represents no statement, promise, or guarantee that the codes will be appropriate or that reimbursement will be made. Consult your payer organization with regard to local coverage and reimbursement policies. [Context Link]