Log in
Forgot password


APWCA News

<< First  < Prev   1   2   3   4   5   ...   Next >  Last >> 

  • APWCA: CALL TO ACTION: *Oppose LCD as written!* CONTACT LEGISLATORS TODAY - set to go into effect 4/13

    04/07/2025 11:49 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Attention APWCA Members & Stakeholders:

    CALL TO ACTION
    We 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 matrix-like products (CAMPs) Local Coverage Determination - has become available and makes it clear: Medicare’s forthcoming LCD “Skin Substitute Grafts/Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers,” set to take effect April 13, 2025, will cause significant harm to the patients we serve.

    This policy imposes a rigid cap of eight CAMP applications over a 16-week episode of care regardless of clinical response. As providers on the front lines of wound care, we know this will:

    • Worsen outcomes by increasing amputations, hospitalizations, and ED visits
    • Restrict access for the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries
    • Prevent physicians from exercising clinical judgment and practicing according to training
    • Ignore critical real-world evidence that proves the value of these treatments

    While the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders recently voiced support for the LCD, the APWCA strongly disagrees with its current form and urges Congress to intervene. Our patients deserve better.

    What You Can Do

    We’re asking every APWCA member to email one or more of the Congressional contacts listed below and urge them to oppose this future effective LCD as written. Tell them it puts patients at risk, undermines medical practice, and widens disparities.

    Personalize your message with:

    • Your experience treating hard-to-heal wounds
    • The impact of CAMPs on patient outcomes
    • Your concerns with a one-size-fits-all reimbursement cap

    Legislators the APWCA Encourages Our Members to Contact - Organized by State

    Alabama

    California

    Colorado

    Florida

    Georgia

    Indiana

    Iowa

    Massachusetts

    Minnesota

    Missouri

    New York

    North Carolina

    Pennsylvania

    Tennessee

    Texas

    Utah
    Download Article

    Let Congress hear from the clinicians who know the risks best. Contact them today—before April 13.

    Thank you for your dedication to evidence-based care and patient advocacy.


    Sincerely,

    The APWCA Leadership Team

    www.apwca.org


  • Don't miss out! Register today for November 19th!

    10/29/2024 3:24 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


  • Don't miss out! Register today!

    10/02/2024 1:09 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


  • APWCA SIGs (Special Interest Groups)

    09/17/2024 9:14 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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 SIGs.

    • Limb Salvage/Preservation
    • Advanced Practice Practitioner (APP)
    • Coding, Compliance and Reimbursement
    • Mobile Wound Care/Post Acute Care
    • Nutrition (RD/RDN)
    • Physical Therapy (PT)
    • Podiatry (DPM)
    • Research
    Please click here to express your interest.

  • Reimbursement Thursday Tidbits

    07/04/2024 7:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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 Physician Services

    The links above send you to an email address specifically for provider and beneficiary feedback regarding their specific MACs. Send a shout out for a great interaction, or a wish list for interactions that may not meet your expectations.

  • Thursday Tip: ASP Drugs and Biologics Quarterly Update April 2024

    05/23/2024 10:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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

    Q4271

    Complete ft per sq cm

    Q4281

    Barrera sl or dl per sq cm

    Q4283

    Biovance tri or 3l, sq cm

    Q4310

    Procenta, per 100 mg


    Packaged Skin Substitute Codes added effective April 1, 2024

    HCPCS

    Descriptor

    Low/High

    Q4305

    American Amnion ac tri layer per sq cm

    Low

    Q4306

    American Amnion ac per sq cm

    Low

    Q4307

    American amnion per sq cm

    Low

    Q4308

    Sanopellis per sq cm

    Low

    Q4309

    Via matrix

    Low

    Q4310

    Procenta Per 100 mg

    Low



  • 2024 JWC Award Winners - APWCA Receives Silver Honor!

    02/27/2024 8:01 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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 to the innovative research carried out by our exceptional APWCA members.

    The JWC awards event, also known as 'The Olympics of Wound Care,' held its annual celebration of excellence in research on February 23rd. Nominees included individuals, teams, organizations, societies, companies, and charities whose work has made a significant impact over the previous year.

    Congratulations to all the winners of the Journal of Wound Care Awards 2024. Your remarkable contributions to the field of advanced wound care have had a substantial impact on the lives of patients worldwide. You can find the complete list of winners at https://lnkd.in/gcbrJ7tp.

  • New in 2024 - APWCA Quarterly Webinar Series

    02/16/2024 8:59 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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 events:

    • SPRING: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
    • SUMMER: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
    • AUTUMN: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
    • WINTER: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

    APWCA is pleased to announce that ARANZ Medical will be sponsoring our second webinar in the 2024 Quarterly Series!

    In thanks to their generous sponsorship, this webinar is FREE TO ALL!


  • Highlights from Wound Week™ 2023

    12/31/2023 11:35 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    • There were around 230 people onsite
    • Over 100 exhibitor representatives from:
    • 34 different companies & other non-profits
    • 18 different educational sessions presented by:
    • 32 faculty presenters
    • A dozen companies participated in the Hands On Skills Workshop
    • 2 Preconference Workshops and:
    • 1 Post Conference Workshop were offered
    • The American Board of Wound Healing (ABWH) Exam was conducted
    • 8 MAPWCA designations were awarded
    • There were nearly 60 poster presentations and:
    • A half-dozen oral abstracts were presented
    • 27.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for Physicians were available.
    • The same 27.75 ANCC were available to Nurses and CEPU to Dietitians


  • OOPS Update - CMS Issued Correction

    12/22/2023 10:50 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Great News!!! CMS has issued a correction to the 2024 rates for outpatient hyperbaric oxygen therapy, reversing the 41.5% rate cut and increasing reimbursement from the 2023 rates. This would not have been possible without the advocacy of wound care providers, such as our APWCA members, as well as from the support of health care institutions, associations and stakeholders which included NetHealth, RestorixHealth, the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, The National Group, Epstiein Becker & Green, Healogics, the American Professional Wound Care Association, Dobson and Davanzo, The Alliance of Wound Care stakeholders, and the American Hospital Association.  The CMS took extraordinary efforts to investigate this matter and to issue a correction prior to the end of the year.

    The CY 2024 HBO2 APC rate is $132.21. The APC rate increased $7.14 or 5.7% over the current year 2023.

    You can find the updated payment files here for OPPS and here for ASCs. 


    May this make your Holiday Season a little Merrier. 

<< First  < Prev   1   2   3   4   5   ...   Next >  Last >> 
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software