Celularity (CELU, Financial), a biopharmaceutical company, has expressed its approval of a recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to postpone the implementation date for the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) concerning skin substitute grafts. Initially set to take effect on November 2024, the implementation date has now been moved to January 1, 2026.
The LCD in question, titled “Skin Substitute Grafts/Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers,” is crucial for Medicare beneficiaries who require specialized wound care. This delay ensures that patients suffering from conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers will continue to have access to these vital treatment options.
Celularity’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Robert J. Hariri, praised the leadership of CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in addressing what could have been a healthcare crisis impacting diabetic Americans. The company emphasizes that access to skin substitute treatments is essential to prevent severe complications, including sepsis, amputations, and even premature death among patients.
The company also supports comprehensive reforms to the payment system, facilitated by this delay, aiming to achieve a more inclusive approach to healthcare that maintains access while potentially reducing overall costs.
