The survey, published in the Journal of Wound Care, highlights the fallout from the January 2026 CMS mandate that set a standardized payment of approximately $127.14 per square centimeter for CAMPs. Data collected from 130 practices across 36 states suggests the policy fails to account for the operational realities of non-facility providers, such as those operating in rural or home-based settings. Unlike hospital outpatient departments, which may receive separate facility payments, independent providers now face severe financial pressure that threatens their ability to remain open.
New CMS Wound Care Payment Policy Sparks Access Crisis
A national survey of clinicians reveals that the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which mandates a fixed reimbursement rate for cellular and matrix-like products, is actively destabilizing wound care. Providers report widespread treatment delays and practice closures, effectively pushing vulnerable patients away from community-based care toward more expensive institutional settings.
Clinicians paint a grim picture of the resulting care landscape. Nearly 60% of respondents reported reduced capacity to treat homebound or medically fragile patients, while 53% noted an increase in coverage denials for patients who otherwise meet eligibility criteria. The consequences are reportedly dire, with 85% of survey participants citing personal narratives of patients suffering from complications like sepsis, limb loss, or increased hospitalization. As the crisis deepens, practitioners are calling for a formal reevaluation of the reimbursement framework to prevent further erosion of essential wound care services.
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