Why this matters
Wound care is matched to the stage of your wound. As wounds change, the device that's right for you can change too. Staying on a device that's too basic can slow your healing — but providers may not always notice unless they're tracking it carefully.
Medicare's upgrade rules — in plain English
- Advanced support surfaces (Stage III & IV beds): Medicare typically requires that your provider measure your wound weekly for 30 days and document that it isn't healing as expected on your current surface.
- Electrical stimulation therapy: Covered when a chronic Stage III or IV wound has not measurably healed after 30 days of standard treatment.
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (wound vac): Covered for chronic Stage III or IV pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers when specific criteria are met.
- MIST ultrasound: Covered for wounds too painful for sharp debridement or that haven't progressed as expected.
This is a friendly summary, not legal or medical advice. Your provider and MMI's reimbursement specialists can help confirm what applies to you.
What to ask your provider
Bring this to your next appointment. Read it out loud, hand it to your provider, or print this page and take it with you.
"I'd like to make sure I'm on the right device for my wound stage. Could you measure my wound weekly so we have documentation if I need to upgrade to a more advanced support surface?"
A simple plan
- 1
Ask your provider to measure and document your wound weekly.
- 2
After 30 days, ask whether your wound is healing as expected.
- 3
If it isn't, ask whether you might qualify for a more advanced device.
- 4
Call MMI — our reimbursement specialists can help verify your coverage.
Want help making sense of this?
Our reimbursement specialists are happy to walk you through your options and check what your insurance covers — at no cost to you.
Have your provider's measurements ready? Let's talk next steps.
Talk to a real MMI team member, Monday–Friday.
Call 1-800-849-2716