Surgical Dressings - Policy Article

Surgical dressings are covered only for qualifying wounds: wounds caused by or treated by a surgical procedure or wounds after debridement performed by an authorized practitioner. Primary and secondary dressings that serve a therapeutic or protective function on qualifying wounds are eligible, as are specified compression bandages and garments when used as part of wound treatment systems; numerous wound types and items (e.g., stage 1 pressure ulcers, first-degree burns, non-surgically treated traumatic wounds, certain topical agents, and items bundled in other benefits) are explicitly non-covered. Documentation must demonstrate the qualifying wound or debridement, follow LCD and local policy requirements, and use required modifiers and place-of-service coding to avoid claim denials.

"Surgical dressings are covered when a qualifying wound is present that was caused by, or treated by, a surgical procedure."