The Economic Impact of Living Cell Tissue Products in Treating Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers in Patients with Commercial Insurance: A Retrospective Matched-Cohort Study.

Because the data were insurance claims, wound closure could not be directly confirmed; the study assumed closure when debridement billing stopped. Clinicians chose products and number of applications without cost being controlled, so differences may reflect practice patterns rather than product performance. The study included only commercially insured outpatients, so it may not apply to other insurance groups or inpatient populations. Wound size was only estimated from debridement codes, not measured directly. Wastage was counted only when a JW modifier was used, so it may be underreported. It was not designed to determine if one treatment was more effective or safer.

Do not read the lower cost or fewer applications as proof that CHSA heals wounds better. The study was designed to compare billed costs, not treatment efficacy, and amputation results were not consistent across comparisons.