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The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that a Negative Pressure Wound Therapy pump (E2402) and supplies (A6550, A7000) are 
covered when either criterion A or B is met: 
 
    A. Ulcers and Wounds in the Home Setting: 
 
    The beneficiary has a chronic Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcer (see Appendices Section), neuropathic (for 
example, diabetic) ulcer, venous or arterial insufficiency ulcer, or a chronic (being present for at least 30 days) 
ulcer of mixed etiology. A complete wound therapy program described by criterion 1 and criteria 2, 3, or 4, as 
applicable depending on the type of wound, must have been tried or considered and ruled out prior to 
application of NPWT. 
 
            For all ulcers or wounds, the following components of a wound therapy program must include a 
minimum of all of the following general measures, which should either be addressed, applied, or considered 
and ruled out prior to application of NPWT: 
 
                Documentation in the beneficiary's medical record of evaluation, care, and wound measurements by a 
licensed medical professional, and 
                Application of dressings to maintain a moist wound environment, and 
                Debridement of necrotic tissue if present, and 
                Evaluation of and provision for adequate nutritional status 
 
            For Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers: 
 
                The beneficiary has been appropriately turned and positioned, and 
                The beneficiary has used a group 2 or 3 support surface for pressure ulcers on the posterior trunk or 
pelvis (see LCD on support surfaces), and 
                The beneficiarys moisture and incontinence have been appropriately managed 
 
            For neuropathic (for example, diabetic) ulcers: 
 
                The beneficiary has been on a comprehensive diabetic management program, and 
                Reduction in pressure on a foot ulcer has been accomplished with appropriate modalities  
            For venous insufficiency ulcers: 
 
                Compression bandages and/or garments have been consistently applied, and 
                Leg elevation and ambulation have been encouraged 
 
 B.  Ulcers and Wounds Encountered in an Inpatient Setting: 
 
            An ulcer or wound (described under A above) is encountered in the inpatient setting and, after wound 
treatments described under A-1 through A-4 have been tried or considered and ruled out, NPWT is initiated 
because it is considered in the judgment of the treating practitioner, the best available treatment option. 
 
            The beneficiary has complications of a surgically created wound (for example, dehiscence) or a 
traumatic wound (for example, pre-operative flap or graft) where there is documentation of the medical 
necessity for accelerated formation of granulation tissue which cannot be achieved by other available topical 
wound treatments (for example, other conditions of the beneficiary that will not allow for healing times 
achievable with other topical wound treatments). 
 
In either situation B-1 or B-2, NPWT will be covered when treatment is ordered to continue beyond discharge 
to the home setting. 
 
If criterion A or B above is not met, the NPWT pump and supplies will be denied as not reasonable and 
necessary. 
 
NPWT pumps (E2402) must be capable of accommodating more than one wound dressing set for multiple 
wounds on a beneficiary. Therefore, more than one E2402 billed per beneficiary for the same time period will 
be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 
 
A NPWT pump and supplies will be denied at any time as not reasonable and necessary if one or more of the 
following are present: 
 
    The presence in the wound of necrotic tissue with eschar, if debridement is not attempted; 
    Osteomyelitis within the vicinity of the wound that is not concurrently being treated with intent to cure; 
    Cancer present in the wound; 
    The presence of an open fistula to an organ or body cavity within the vicinity of the wound. 
 
NPWT systems, pumps and their associated supplies, that have not been specifically designated as being 
qualified to use HCPCS codes E2402 via written instructions from the Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding 
(PDAC) Contractor will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Negative Pressure Wound Therapy 
Pumps L33821. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.