A recent economic evaluation using a Markov model assessed the cost-effectiveness of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (DHACM) for Medicare beneficiaries with venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The study compared DHACM—applied following recommended timing and frequency—to no advanced treatment (NAT) over three years, using real-world claims from over 530,000 patients. Results showed that DHACM not only saved $170 per patient but also improved quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), producing a net monetary benefit of $1,178. The treatment was cost-effective in over 63% of simulations and linked to lower recurrence rates. With chronic wounds placing a heavy and growing burden on Medicare—VLUs alone cost $14.9 billion annually—these findings support DHACM as a superior, cost-saving strategy. Providers and payers are encouraged to prioritize DHACM in wound care formularies to improve outcomes and reduce system-wide costs … read more
The authors:
1. William H. Tettelbach, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FUHM, CWSP
Dr. Tettelbach is board-certified in Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Internal Medicine. He has held leadership roles at MiMedx, OnSite Advanced Care, and RestorixHealth, and serves as an adjunct professor at Duke University School of Medicine. WICE Radiology+8Press Release Hub+8ORCID+8
2. Vickie R. Driver, DPM, MS, FACFAS
Dr. Driver is a Professor at Washington State University School of Medicine and the Founding Chair of the Board of Directors for the Wound Care Collaborative Community. She has served as System-Wide Medical Director of Wound Care and Hyperbaric Centers at INOVA Healthcare and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons-Glasgow. hmpglobalevents.com+5woundcarecc.org+5woundcarecc.org+5reddressmedical.com+4sawcf.eventscribe.net+4Maggie Online Library+4
3. Alisha Oropallo, MD, FACS, FSVS, FAPWCA
Dr. Oropallo is a Professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and Director of the Comprehensive Wound Healing Center at Northwell Health. She is board-certified in General and Vascular Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. LinkedIn+4ResearchGate+4CITI Program+4woundcarecc.org
4. Martha R. Kelso, RN, CHWS, HBOT
Ms. Kelso is the CEO of Wound Care Plus, LLC, one of the nation’s largest mobile wound care providers. She is recognized as a visionary in mobile medicine and is a published author and clinical editor for multiple peer-reviewed journals. hmpglobalevents.com+3Log in or sign up to view+3LinkedIn+3hmpglobalevents.com+3pawsic.org+3LinkedIn+3
5. Jeffrey A. Niezgoda, MD, FACHM, MAPWCA, CHWS
Dr. Niezgoda is the President and Chief Medical Officer of WebCME and serves as the CMO for Kent Imaging. He is the Past President of the American Professional Wound Care Association and the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine. LinkedIn+8ipawssummit.org+8kentimaging.com+8
6. Naz Wahab, MD, FAAFP, FAPWCA
Dr. Wahab is a board-certified family physician and wound care specialist. She serves as the Medical Director for the Mountain View Outpatient Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center and is an active member of several wound care organizations. reddressmedical.com+4Medical News Today+4aawconline.memberclicks.net+4aawconline.memberclicks.net+3reddressmedical.com+3campswoundcaresummit.com+3
7. Julie L. De Jong
Information on Julie L. De Jong’s professional background in wound care is limited in the provided sources. Further details may be available through institutional affiliations or publications.
8. Brandon Hubbs
Mr. Hubbs is an experienced Cardiovascular Administrator and Nurse, affiliated with FirstHealth of the Carolinas. LinkedIn
9. R. Allyn Forsyth
Dr. Forsyth has contributed to research on wound care, including studies on the cost of chronic wound care for Medicare beneficiaries. ResearchGate
10. Gregory A. Magee, MD
Dr. Magee is an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He completed fellowships in surgical critical care and trauma surgery at USC and in vascular surgery at the University of Colorado Denver. Healthgrades+4Keck School of Medicine of USC+4SC CTSI Profiles+4Keck Medicine of USC
11. Paul Steel
Specific information about Paul Steel’s professional background in wound care is not readily available in the provided sources. Further details may be found through academic publications or institutional affiliations.
12. Benjamin G. Cohen, DPM
Dr. Cohen is a Podiatric Medicine specialist and Podiatric Surgeon based in Aiken, South Carolina. He is recognized as an advanced expert in his field. Medifind+1Maggie Online Library+1
13. William V. Padula, PhD
Dr. Padula is an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical & Health Economics at the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and a Fellow at the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics. His research focuses on cost-effectiveness analysis and healthcare delivery, particularly regarding pressure injury prevention. USC Schaeffer+2USC Mann School of Pharmacy+2SC CTSI Profiles+2NCBI+3USC Schaeffer+3ResearchGate+3