What question did this study set out to answer?

Assess perceived impacts of the 2026 CMS Physician Fee Schedule on wound care practices and patient access to cellular products.

June 14, 2026

Early reported effects of the 2026 CMS Physician Fee Schedule on patient access to CAMPs in wound care: a national clinician and practice survey

Key Points

Assess perceived impacts of the 2026 CMS Physician Fee Schedule on wound care practices and patient access to cellular products.
Online national survey conducted from February 4 to April 14, 2026.
Survey included 13 questions assessing various concerns related to CAMPs reimbursement.
130 responses from wound care practitioners representing diverse settings and regions.
82% of respondents indicated practice settings are non-facility based.
45% reported potential closure of wound care services due to new reimbursement policies.
61% cited authorisation delays for eligible patients as a primary concern.

Abstract

Objective: In 2026, the US Centers for Medicare however, hospital-affiliated outpatient wound centres, and ambulatory surgery centres were also represented. The most severe concern identified was the ‘Closure or planned closure of a wound care practice or service line’, reported by just over 45% of responding settings. Only five (4%) respondents reported no significant impact, indicating that 96% perceived at least one operational impact following implementation of the revised payment policy. The most frequently cited concern (61%) was ‘Authorisation delays for clinically eligible patients’. Conclusion: Analysis of the survey data suggests widespread impacts of the implemented CAMPs universal fee schedule across diverse wound care delivery settings in the US, including a substantial risk of service line closures. These findings raise concerns that a uniform CAMP product payment may not achieve site-of-care neutrality when hospital outpatient departments receive a separate application facility payment, while non-facility providers do not. Respondents reported that patients are already experiencing reduced access to advanced wound care, with associated complications such as: infection; sepsis; amputation; wound deterioration or enlargement; hospital readmission; the need for surgical debridement in the operating room setting; and flap- or graft-based salvage procedures. Responding wound care providers and practices, across diverse care settings and geographic regions, urge reevaluation of the current reimbursement framework to ensure the financial sustainability of wound care services, and to protect patient access and outcomes.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay