Referring a chronic wound patient to Rebirth Advanced Healing is simpler than most people realize. And it’s not limited to doctors or nurses. Multiple people can start the process, including the patient themselves.
I’m TJ Fabis, and I’m a district manager with Rebirth in Virginia, helping get the word out on the role we play in the fight against chronic wounds across the country. We’re a mobile wound care company that treats chronic wounds using amniotic grafts (also referred to as skin substitutes) over a series of weekly treatments.
After hearing our stories of healing stubborn wounds and restoring independence to hundreds of patients, we often hear, “How can I refer a patient?”
That question often comes from a medical director or a nurse at a home health agency after one of our in-service events. But it can just as easily come from a patient or a loved one. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a family member to reach out after watching a wound on their loved one go untreated for weeks, eager to find a better solution.
So, why does this matter? Because waiting is costly.
A wound that hasn’t healed after 28 days of conservative care isn’t going to magically get better. Delaying care only increases the risk of infections, hospitalizations, or even amputations. On the other hand, the earlier advanced treatment begins, the higher the chances of healing, and the lower the costs for patients, families, and health care agencies.
The good news is that making a referral is quick and straightforward. Whether you’re a clinician, loved one, or the patient, here’s a simple step-by-step checklist to get started.
Our Step-By-Step Referral Process
Follow these easy steps to make a chronic wound patient referral to Rebirth Advanced Healing:
Identify the Need
In order to be eligible for grafting, the patient’s chronic wound has to meet specific criteria:
- A wound must fail at least 28 days of conservative therapy before advanced biologics can be used, and that therapy must be properly documented. Conservative treatments include dressing changes, compression, debridement, and offloading.
- Failure means the wound has not decreased in size by 50% during that period.
- The wound must be 1 cm in diameter.
- No active infections, like cellulitis or osteomyelitis.
- Wound bed must be viable (we’re looking for a healthy red tissue with no eschar or slough).
- The patient cannot be on hospice.
Gather Basic Information
You’ll need the following information from the patient:
- Patient name, date of birth, and contact information.
- Brief wound description (location, size, type, and duration).
- Insurance details (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance). Make sure the patient has their insurance card(s), because we’ll need both sides of that card to verify their coverage.
For loved ones, don’t worry if you don’t have everything to start. Let’s work with what we have and our team can help along the way.
How to Refer
Whether you’re a home health agency (or other healthcare-related agency), loved one of a patient, or the patient themselves, the easiest way to get the conversation started is by filling out our referral form below:
You can also call our referral line at 231-333-4388.
If a patient isn’t comfortable doing this themselves, they can ask their doctor or primary caregiver to handle the referral.
What Happens After Referral?
Our team at Rebirth aims to review and reach out within one business day. From there, we’ll contact the patient, family member, or agency to learn more about the wound history, current treatments, and overall health situation. This quick conversation helps us confirm whether the wound meets Medicare and insurance guidelines for advanced care.
The next step is insurance verification. Our billing team works directly with Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial insurance providers to confirm coverage and benefits. This process can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week, depending on the payer and how quickly we receive supporting documentation. During this time, we stay in touch so you’re never left wondering about the status of your referral.
Related: Does Medicare cover 100% of Advanced Wound Care Treatments?
Why Referring Early Matters
Don’t accept being stuck in a cycle of non-healing. When conservative treatments fail to heal a wound, it’s time to try something new.
Earlier referrals often mean faster healing, less cost, and a better patient experience. You tend to avoid complications, like infections, hospitalizations, and amputations, and you relieve a whole lot of stress (for you and your loved ones).
Ready to make a referral? Let’s start that conversation here.
