Action delays to January 1, 2026, the effective date of a Biden-era Medicare LCD for skin substitute products used to treat diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers
FLORHAM PARK, N.J., April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) (“Celularity” or the “Company”), a regenerative and cellular medicine company, welcomes action by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, to revise to January 1, 2026, the effective date of the Medicare Local Coverage Determination, or LCD, titled “Skin Substitute Grafts/Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers” first published in November 2024.
An LCD is a determination by a Medicare Administrative Contractor, or MAC, whether to cover a particular service on a MAC-wide, basis. A MAC processes Medicare Part A and Part B claims for a defined geographic area, or jurisdiction, and develops LCDs within its particular jurisdiction.
The action by CMS follows a January 2025 executive order by President Trump freezing all regulatory guidance not yet in effect, which included the Biden-era LCD that is the subject of this action by CMS. Pursuant to President Trump’s January 2025 order, all MACs delayed the effective date of the November 2024 LCD by sixty days, from February 12, 2025, to April 13, 2025. This most recent action by CMS revises that effective date to January 1, 2026, in all MAC jurisdictions.
“We applaud the leadership of CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to ensure continued access to these critical wound care products for Medicare patients who suffer from diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers,” said Dr. Robert J. Hariri, Celularity Chairman and CEO. “CMS’ action averted a looming healthcare crisis for diabetic Americans, for whom access to treatment with skin substitutes can be critical to avoiding serious complications like sepsis, amputations, and even premature death. We fully endorse payment system reform, which this action ensures can now occur on an inclusive, thorough basis that yields lower cost of care without compromising Medicare patient access.”
Dr. Stephen Brigido, Celularity’s President–Degenerative Diseases, added, “We believe innovative skin substitute products have been shown to contribute meaningfully to improved outcomes in treating chronic wounds, which benefits patients and reduces Medicare’s long-term cost of care. This action preserves patient access and allows CMS time to work with relevant stakeholders to shape payment system improvements, guided by three principles—first and foremost, ensure Medicare patient access to needed treatments; second, reimburse providers who care for these patients fairly and appropriately; and third, incentivize skin substitute product innovation which is shown to contribute to improved patient outcomes and lower Medicare’s long-term cost of care.”
About Celularity
Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) is a regenerative and cellular medicine company developing and commercializing advanced biomaterial products and allogeneic, cryopreserved, placental-derived cell therapies, all derived from the postpartum placenta. Celularity believes that by harnessing the placenta’s unique biology and ready availability, it can develop therapeutic solutions that address significant unmet global needs for effective, accessible, and affordable therapies. For more information, visit www.celularity.com.
Forward Looking Statements
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Carlos Ramirez
Senior Vice President, Celularity Inc.
Carlos.ramirez@celularity.com