Derma Sciences Announces Medicare Coverage Reinstated For MEDIHONEY Products with Reimbursable Codes by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Derma Sciences, Inc.

, a tissue regeneration company focused on advanced wound and burn care, announces that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has reinstated coverage and assigned a reimbursable code for MEDIHONEY® dressings effective immediately. Edward J. Quilty, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Derma Sciences commented, "MEDIHONEY® dressings are exceptional, versatile and cost-effective advanced wound care dressings that have helped hundreds of thousands of patients suffering with non-healing wounds. We extend thanks to all our stakeholder groups for their work in support of reinstating coverage. We are pleased that CMS responded to the patients, wound care specialists, Wound Care Trade Associations and Members of Congress who spoke out about the importance of MEDIHONEY® products as a meaningful component in healing acute and chronic wounds." Additionally, the four Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that handle durable medical equipment (DME) issued policy adjustments over the last week. Importantly, the January 22, 2015 policy article, which introduced a new coverage standard and was the basis of the MEDIHONEY® products' coding change from covered to non-covered codes, has been rescinded effective June 12, 2015. An amended policy article, adopted by all four DME MACs and effective October 1, 2015, specifically confirms that coverage of multi-component dressings that contain medicinal honey will be based on the underlying covered components. The assignment of this Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System or "HCPCS" code [A4649, miscellaneous surgical supply] immediately re-opens access to MEDIHONEY® products, the global leading and trusted line of medical grade honey products, for Medicare Part B patients with eligible wounds.