Germany Updates Wound Care Reimbursement Rules Under New BuPfG Law
New rules have been introduced for the reimbursement of wound treatment products in Germany. The changes, part of the BuPfG law, aim to simplify bureaucracy while keeping evidence-based standards in place. A grace period and transitional arrangements will allow certain products to remain eligible for funding until at least the end of 2026.
Under the updated regulations, statutory health insurance funds will continue covering modern wound dressings until 2026. These include hydroactive materials like hydrocolloids, foams, and alginates, as well as silver-containing dressings for infected wounds, collagen-based products, and negative pressure wound therapy systems. The list of reimbursable items follows the positive reimbursement catalogue under § 11 Abs. 1 SGB V, combined with BuPfG provisions. The rules apply specifically to professional nursing care.
A separate transitional arrangement allows non-listed wound care products to stay eligible for reimbursement until the end of 2026. Meanwhile, dressings classified as medical devices can still be prescribed at the insurance funds’ expense. However, pharmacies and doctors are not required to check whether a prescribed dressing falls under the affected products or verify its type. Prescriptions for dressings must clearly state the product name and the manufacturer’s PZN code. Unlike medications, medical devices cannot yet be prescribed electronically and must be written on paper. Some wound care products, which actively influence healing through pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic effects, may also become eligible for prescription. This would require assessment by the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) and inclusion in Annex V of the Pharmaceuticals Directive.
The new framework ensures that wound treatment products remain accessible while reducing administrative burdens. The grace period and transitional rules provide clarity for healthcare providers until 2026. Dressings will continue to be prescribed without substitution requirements, maintaining flexibility in patient care.
