Debridement Services

Debridement is covered when devitalized tissue or foreign material at the level of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, or bone impedes wound healing or when preparing a site for surgery, including chronic osteomyelitis and osteomyelitis with open wounds. Coverage requires documentation of necrotic or nonviable tissue, wound size/depth or tunneling as applicable, and evidence that comorbid conditions affecting healing have been addressed; debridement is not covered for clean wounds without necrotic material and this LCD excludes burn surface and nail debridement. Routine frequency is generally no more than once weekly and not beyond three months without justification; selective debridement is typically for wounds >2 x 2 cm or wounds with tunneling.

"Debridement is indicated for any wound requiring removal of deep-seated foreign material, devitalized or nonviable tissue at the level of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, or bone to promo..."