Boston Scientific said Thursday that its under-the-skin cardiac defibrillator, the S-ICD System, has received designated Current Procedural Terminology Category I codes, effective Jan. 1.

The coding system, developed and administered by the American Medical Association, gives U.S. doctors and hospitals a uniform process for coding medical services, and CPTI Category I includes widely performed procedures.

Also starting Jan. 1, the Medicare hospital outpatient payment rate for the S-ICD will increase by 23 percent, Boston Scientific noted. And private payer Aetna has broadened its coverage for the S-ICD to all patients who meet the criteria for an ICD and are not contraindicated, joining other health plans that have done the same, the company said.

Together, the new coding designation and coverage changes should increase patient access to the S-ICD, said Michael Gold, director of cardiology at the University of South Carolina.

According to devicemaker, the S-ICD is the world’s least invasive implantable defibrillator, offering protection for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest without actually touching the heart and blood vessels. — Kellen Owings

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