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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. 
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is defined as the application of sub-atmospheric pressure to a 
wound to remove exudate and debris from wounds. NPWT is delivered through an integrated system of a 
suction pump, separate exudate collection chamber and dressing sets to a qualified wound. In these systems, 
exudate is completely removed from the wound site to the collection chamber. Refer to the CODING 
GUIDELINES section of the Policy Article for information about equipment and supply specifications. 
Other suction pump systems (K0743, K0744, K0745, and K0746) may also be used to remove exudate from a 
wound. Refer to the Suction Pumps Local Coverage Determination for information about coverage of these 
items. 
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. 
1. 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: 
a. Documentation in the beneficiary's medical record of evaluation, care, and 
wound measurements by a licensed medical professional, and 
b. Application of dressings to maintain a moist wound environment, and 
c. Debridement of necrotic tissue if present, and 
d. Evaluation of and provision for adequate nutritional status 2. For Stage 3 or 4 pressure ulcers: 
a. The beneficiary has been appropriately turned and positioned, and 
b. 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 
c. The beneficiarys moisture and incontinence have been appropriately managed 
3. For neuropathic (for example, diabetic) ulcers: 
a. The beneficiary has been on a comprehensive diabetic management program, and 
b. Reduction in pressure on a foot ulcer has been accomplished with appropriate 
modalities 
4. For venous insufficiency ulcers: 
   
a. Compression bandages and/or garments have been consistently applied, and 
b. Leg elevation and ambulation have been encouraged 
B. Ulcers and Wounds Encountered in an Inpatient Setting: 
1. 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. 
2. 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). 
 
CONTINUED COVERAGE: 
C. For wounds and ulcers described under A or B above, once placed on a NPWT pump and supplies, in 
order for coverage to continue, a licensed medical professional must do the following:  
1. On a regular basis, 
a. Directly assess the wound(s) being treated with the NPWT pump, and 
b. Supervise or directly perform the NPWT dressing changes, and 
2. On at least a monthly basis, document changes in the ulcers dimensions and 
characteristics. 
If criteria C-1 and C-2 are not fulfilled, continued coverage of the NPWT pump and supplies will be denied as 
not reasonable and necessary. 
 
WHEN COVERAGE ENDS: D. For wounds and ulcers described under A or B above, a NPWT pump and supplies will be denied as not 
reasonable and necessary with any of the following, whichever occurs earliest: 
1. Criteria C1-C2 cease to occur, 
2. In the judgment of the treating practitioner, adequate wound healing has occurred to the 
degree that NPWT may be discontinued, 
3. Any measurable degree of wound healing has failed to occur over the prior month. 
Wound healing is defined as improvement occurring in either surface area (length times 
width) or depth of the wound 
4. 4 months (including the time NPWT was applied in an inpatient setting prior to 
discharge to the home) have elapsed using a NPWT pump in the treatment of the most 
recent wound 
5. Once equipment or supplies are no longer being used for the beneficiary, whether or not 
by the treating practitioners order 
You can find this rule 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.