Article Detail - JA DME

For surgical dressings, there are two fundamental scenarios that determine coverage:

1. The surgical dressings are required for the treatment of a wound caused by or treated by a surgical procedure; or
2. The surgical dressings are required after debridement of a wound

Surgical debridement must be performed by a physician or other healthcare professional as permissible under state law.

Covered types of debridement include:

• Surgical (sharp instrument or laser)
• Mechanical (irrigation or wet-to-dry dressing)
• Chemical (topical application of enzymes)
• Autolytic (application of occlusive dressings to an open wound)

Additional information on surgical dressings can be found in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33831 and Policy Article A54563 on the CMS website.