Medicare's recommended frequency of dressing changes depends on the type of surgical dressing being used. When primary dressings, secondary dressings, and wound fillers are used together, their change frequencies should be aligned. The dressing that is in direct contact with the wound determines the appropriate change interval for the entire dressing system.

Using products with conflicting wear times, such as a daily-change primary dressing paired with a weekly-change secondary dressing, is generally not considered reasonable or necessary and may result in claim denials. Ensuring that dressing products are selected and used according to their intended change frequency can help support compliant billing and successful claim submission.

See the Surgical Dressings Local Coverage Determination for more information.