Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are bedsores?

A. Bedsores are wounds caused by continual pressure on certain portions of the body. They are most common in individuals who have limited mobility or who have impaired sensory perception.

Q. Are bedsores preventable?

A. Yes! Bedsores can be prevented through an appropriate care regimen that includes nutritional counseling, appropriate bedding, adjustments in position, and other preventative measures. Only your physician can recommend the types of prevention measures necessary to help you.

Q. What kinds of treatment options are available?

A. For early stages of bedsores, the usual treatment is simply to relieve the pressure around the area of the sore. For more advanced stages of bedsores, more vigorous treatment may be required, including the possibility of antibiotics to treat underlying infection, as well as surgery to remove dead tissue.

Q. Does Medicare pay for bedsore treatment?

A. As of October 2008, Medicare no longer pays for bedsores which develop during hospital visits. Bedsores fall under a classification called “never events” which means that Medicare believes that patients should never acquire bedsores if care is appropriate. While you may still be treated for bedsores in the hospital, you should be aware that if you rely on Medicare as your sole medical coverage, you may be paying out of pocket for that treatment.

Q. My physician says the bedsore is ‘unstageable’. What does that mean?

A. Unstageable bedsores are those which are covered by dead skin, which obscures the ability of the practitioner to determine how deep the bedsore is, or how much damage has been done beneath the surface. In some instances, it is better to leave the dead skin in place, as this provides a natural barrier to infection and other complications which can arise as a result of bedsores. Your physician should be able to determine the best course of action to take in your particular circumstances.