Product Information
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), with either durable or disposable devices, is a method of wound care to manage wound fluids and help wounds heal. The vacuum assisted drainage collection (i.e., NPWT) may be applied to try to cleanse the wound by removing fluids and stimulate healing.
In NPWT, your clinician will use a device that will apply negative pressure (suction) to the wound. Negative pressure is applied under airtight wound dressings to promote the healing of open wounds resistant to prior treatments.
Durable NPWT devices are powered with electrically or battery. Disposable devices do not use electricity but rather energy from batteries (e.g, PICO, V.A.C. Via, Prevena) or a spring mechanism (e.g., SNaP, CISNAP) to ensure portability. Durable NPWT can be bulky and interfere with normal activities. Disposable NPWT devices are portable, and can be applied more quickly and easily. Patients can wear under their clothing and continue their normal daily activities.
Pricing and Suppliers
Is it covered by Medicare Part B?
Application of disposable, mechanically powered NPWT devices is covered by Medicare when medically necessary. Medicare has own guidelines on what it considers medical necessity.
How can I purchase this product?
For Medicare to cover this product, it needs to be ordered and applied by your clinician. A patient cannot purchase it directly from a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) store and receive reimbursement from Medicare for it. However, this product is also available for purchase from some stores on an out-of-pocket basis (with no reimbursement from Medicare).
The table below shows highest and lowest Medicare pricing across the country
| Description | Medicare DME co-payment Min / Max |
| |
$0.00 / $0.00
|
If your insurance does not cover this product, you can purchase it directly from any store. A list of online stores and prices is provided below for your convenience. For updated prices, find it on the internet at https://wrdev.azurewebsites.net/app/product?id=2268
Other Stores
* Indicates whether store accepts Medicare or commercial insurance, but may not apply to this specific product. See coding, coverage and reimubursement for more information.
The information on this handout is for your convenience and educational purposes only. All product claims and specifications are those of the product suppliers. It does not constitute medical advice or a guarantee for reimbursement. Prices may have changed and suppliers may not have product in stock. Please confirm accuracy and appropriateness of information with insurance carrier and product supplier. Clinician and WoundReference assume no liability for inaccuracies or misstatements about products and insurance coverage.