Helping Patients Access Air Fluidized Therapy for Severe Pressure Injuries
Defy Therapeutics helps patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers navigate the process of obtaining Air Fluidized Therapy (AFT) beds and advanced pressure-relieving support surfaces for the treatment of severe pressure injuries and complex wounds.
As insurance requirements have become more restrictive and access to specialized support surfaces has become more challenging, our team works to remove barriers to care through clinical collaboration, insurance support, and referral coordination. Our current service area includes:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
- Tennessee
- Kansas
- Iowa
- West Virginia
- Nebraska
Whether you're a physician, discharge planner, wound care specialist, skilled nursing facility, patient, or caregiver, Defy Therapeutics is here to help.
Supporting Patients, Providers & Care Facilities
Defy Therapeutics partners with healthcare professionals and care facilities throughout the Midwest to help patients gain access to advanced wound care therapies and pressure-relieving support surfaces.
Healthcare Providers
Physicians, wound care specialists, surgeons, case managers, and discharge planners.
Care Facilities
Hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home health organizations.
Patients & Caregivers
Families seeking advanced wound care solutions and support navigating the insurance process.
Insurance Coordination
Support with documentation, authorizations, claims management, and appeals.
What Is Air Fluidized Therapy?
Air Fluidized Therapy (AFT), often called a "sand bed," is a specialized Group 3 support surface designed for patients with severe pressure injuries and complex wound care needs. Using millions of tiny ceramic beads suspended by warm filtered air, the mattress creates a fluid-like surface that allows patients to float while remaining fully supported. AFT allows patients to experience:
Maximum Pressure Redistribution
Helps reduce pressure on vulnerable areas and supports wound healing.
Reduced Friction & Shear
Protects fragile tissue and helps minimize additional skin breakdown.
Support for Complex Wounds
Often prescribed for Stage III and Stage IV pressure injuries and flap procedures.
Advanced Clinical Support
Designed for patients whose wounds require the highest level of pressure relief.
Who May Benefit from Air Fluidized Therapy?
Air Fluidized Therapy may be appropriate for patients experiencing:
- Stage III pressure injuries
- Stage IV pressure injuries
- Multiple pressure injuries
- Non-healing wounds
- Flap or graft procedures
- Complex wound care needs
- Failure to progress on a qualifying Group 2 support surface
Our team can help determine eligibility requirements and assist with insurance review and documentation collection.
Pressure-Relieving Support Surface Options
Defy Therapeutics offers both Group 2 and Group 3 support surfaces to support patients throughout the wound healing journey.
Group 2 Support Surfaces
Products Include:
- Prius Enhance RDX Low Air Loss Mattress
- DynaFlow Immersion Mattress
- Other qualifying Group 2 support surfaces
Best For: Pressure injury prevention and management, enhanced pressure redistribution, and patients progressing through insurance qualification requirements.
Group 3 Air Fluidized Therapy Beds
Products Include:
- HydroAire Air Fluidized Therapy Bed
- Airus Air Fluidized Therapy Bed
Best For: Severe pressure injuries, non-healing wounds, flap procedures, and patients requiring maximum pressure redistribution.
Group 2 vs Group 3 Support Surfaces
Most patients must first utilize a qualifying Group 2 support surface before they can be considered for a Group 3 Air Fluidized Therapy bed.
Group 2 Support Surface | Group 3 Air Fluidized Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
Common Equipment Types | Low Air Loss & Immersion Mattresses | Air Fluidized Therapy Beds |
Best For | Pressure injury prevention and management, enhanced pressure redistribution, and patients progressing through insurance qualification requirements. | Severe and complex wound care needs |
Pressure Redistribution | Advanced | Maximum |
Qualification Path | Typically the first advanced support surface prescribed | Generally requires prior Group 2 utilization and additional clinical documentation |
Clinical Complexity | Moderate to high-risk wounds | Severe, complex, or non-healing wounds |
Accessories & Additional Equipment
Defy Therapeutics also offers accessories designed to improve patient safety, positioning, and caregiver support.
Hoyer Lift Systems
Support safe patient transfers while helping reduce caregiver strain and injury risk.
Trapeze Bars
Assist patients with repositioning and mobility while promoting greater independence.
Insurance Assistance
Obtaining approval for an Air Fluidized Therapy bed or advanced support surface can be complicated. Insurance carriers often require extensive documentation, wound assessments, physician involvement, and evidence of medical necessity before approving coverage.
Our experienced insurance and billing team helps simplify the process by managing many of the administrative tasks on behalf of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
How We Help
- Verify insurance coverage and benefits
- Collect required medical documentation
- Coordinate with physicians and care teams
- Review qualification requirements
- Submit claims and supporting paperwork
- Communicate directly with insurance carriers
- Assist with claim appeals and denials
Why it Matters
- Reduces administrative burdens on providers
- Helps patients focus on healing
- Simplifies a complex approval process
- Provides a single point of contact
- Improves communication between all parties
- Helps avoid unnecessary delays in care