Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders Advocacy Updates

APMA continues to engage in advocacy efforts through our coalition work with the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders, particularly on issues related to skin substitutes and physician payment. During the first quarter of 2026, the alliance supported APMA's ongoing effort related to the revised non-pressure ulcer (NPU) episode-based cost measure, including feedback to CMS regarding concerns about methodology and cost attribution. APMA Vice President of Clinical Affairs Dyane Tower, DPM, MPH, MS, CAE chairs the task force revising the NPU episode-cost measure. The alliance also advocated for greater clarity and improved implementation of the 2026 skin substitute payment reforms.

In addition, alliance members, including APMA, engaged directly with Cohere Health regarding WISeR implementation challenges and met with CMS on multiple policy issues, including CAC engagement and surgical dressing claims processing barriers. Through these efforts, APMA continues to collaborate with coalition partners to elevate the perspective of podiatric physicians in wound care policy discussions, engage policymakers, and advocate for policies that enhance patient access and reflect the clinical realities faced by podiatrists.

Please contact the APMA Advocacy Department at [email protected] if you have questions about our participation in this coalition.