Medicare Coverage of Heart Assist Devices Up for Review This November

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is planning to re-examine its coverage standards for ventricular assist devices (VAD), but any changes in the offing are still under wraps. On Nov. 14, the agency’s Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee will discuss VAD coverage and how outcomes can be “optimized” through more appropriate selection of patients, physicians and surgery centers, a recent Federal Register notice states.
Devices & Diagnostics Letter