Advanced Wound Treatment
Vacuum-assisted closure that accelerates healing for complex wounds. NPWT promotes granulation tissue growth, reduces edema, and removes excess fluid—covered by Medicare Part B for qualifying wounds.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also called vacuum-assisted closure (VAC therapy), uses controlled suction to promote wound healing. A specialized foam dressing is placed into the wound, covered with an air tight seal, and connected to a portable vacuum pump that applies continuous or intermittent negative pressure.
The negative pressure draws fluid out of the wound, pulls wound edges together, stimulates blood flow, and promotes the formation of granulation tissue (new tissue that fills in the wound). NPWT transforms how complex wounds heal—turning wounds that might take months to close into wounds that heal in weeks.
NPWT works through multiple mechanisms to accelerate healing:
The vacuum continuously removes exudate (wound drainage), infectious material, and edema fluid. This keeps the wound environment optimal for healing and prevents fluid accumulation that can delay closure.
Negative pressure triggers cellular responses that promote granulation tissue formation. The mechanical stress stimulates cell division and new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), filling the wound from the bottom up.
The suction physically pulls wound edges inward (macro-deformation), reducing wound size faster than natural contraction alone. This can reduce the size needed for skin grafts or make grafting unnecessary.
The negative pressure increases perfusion (blood flow) to the wound area by up to 400%. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach the healing tissue, accelerating recovery.
Clinical Evidence
Studies show NPWT reduces time to wound closure by 40-60% compared to standard care, decreases infection rates, and significantly improves outcomes for diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and post-surgical wounds.
Medicare Part B covers NPWT for specific qualifying wounds. Your wound must meet certain criteria:
Deep pressure sores that extend into muscle or bone. NPWT is particularly effective for sacral, heel, and ischial (sitting bone) pressure ulcers in bedridden or wheelchair-bound patients.
Medicare requirement: Must have tried standard care for 30 days without improvement.
Post-surgical incisions that have opened up or failed to heal properly. NPWT can close these wounds without requiring another surgery, promoting healing from within.
Typical timeline: 4-8 weeks of NPWT therapy for surgical wound closure.
Deep diabetic ulcers with exposed tendon or bone, post-amputation wounds, or ulcers that haven't responded to standard treatment. NPWT reduces amputation risk and accelerates closure.
Success rate: Up to 75% wound closure rate within 12 weeks for diabetic foot ulcers.
Severe lacerations, crush injuries, or burn wounds with significant tissue loss. NPWT prepares the wound bed for skin grafting or promotes healing without grafts in some cases.
Benefit: Reduces wound size by 15-50% before grafting, improving graft success rates.
Foam dressing cut to wound size, placed inside wound, sealed with adhesive film, and connected to pump. Takes 30-45 minutes. You'll hear/feel gentle suction.
Wear device 24/7 for 4-8 weeks. Dressing changed 2-3 times per week by wound care nurse. Portable pump allows mobility during treatment.
Once wound bed is healthy with granulation tissue, NPWT is stopped. Transition to standard dressings or skin grafting if needed for final closure.
Medicare Part B covers NPWT as durable medical equipment (DME) rental for qualifying wounds. Coverage includes the pump, dressings, canisters, and tubing. You pay 20% coinsurance after your Part B deductible, and Medicare pays 80%.
Authorization Required
Prior authorization from Medicare needed before starting NPWT. We handle this process.
Duration Covered
Typically approved for 4-8 weeks initially, with extensions if medically necessary.
Our wound care specialists can evaluate your wound and determine if negative pressure therapy is appropriate. We handle all Medicare authorization and provide complete mobile NPWT management.