99. How Medicare Reimbursement Cuts Are Breaking the Wound Care Business Model

In this week's episode, we speak with Scott Nelson about the Medicare reimbursement changes that are rapidly reshaping the wound care landscape. Scott explains how cost-plus reimbursement models drove extreme pricing behavior, why CMS intervened, and what the new rules mean for mobile providers, wound care centers, distributors, and manufacturers.This episode focuses on how these changes affect real-world care delivery, market stability, and patient access, not in theory but as it is unfolding right now. 🎧 This episode follows the ongoing conversation around wound care and limb preservation, focusing on how Medicare reimbursement changes are reshaping clinical practice, business models, and decision-making across the industry.04:43 Scott’s background and entry into medtech and wound care07:03 Why the wound care market is fragmented and difficult to evaluate10:02 How skin substitutes became financially distorted under cost-plus reimbursement11:35 COVID, mobile wound care, and unintended reimbursement incentives14:21 How pricing mechanics drove extreme markups23:39 Fraud, abuse cases, and the consequences for the broader market27:00 What the new reimbursement rules change starting January35:36 Expected impacts on providers, distributors, manufacturers, and patients💡 Who Should ListenThis episode is for vascular surgeons, wound care clinicians, healthcare operators, MedTech founders, and investors who need a clear understanding of how reimbursement policy directly shapes care models, business viability, and patient outcomes in wound care. About Scott NelsonScott Nelson currently serves as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Swift Medical and is a member of the Board of Directors at The Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation. As the Founder of PrescribedGrowth, Scott advises and consults on emerging technologies on commercial strategy, marketing, sales, and branding. Prior to these roles, Scott worked at LifeNet Health in marketing for wound management and surgical reconstruction, focusing on developing commercial strategies and communications.Scott also held the position of Director of Marketing and Product Solutions at Integer Holdings Corp., where responsibilities included portfolio strategy and market development for the Advanced Surgical & Orthopedic business unit. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Information Systems from the University of Phoenix.Connect with Scott💼 LinkedIn: Scott NelsonFollow Life of Flow📲 Instagram: ⁠⁠@LifeofFlowPodcast⁠⁠👍 Facebook: ⁠⁠Life of Flow Podcast⁠⁠💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Life of Flow Podcast⁠⁠🐦 X: ⁠⁠@VascularPodcastIf this episode helped clarify what’s driving the current shifts in wound care reimbursement, consider sharing it with someone navigating these changes. And if you’re enjoying Life of Flow, leaving a quick review helps more people find these conversations.