CMS denies coverage for VNS Therapy depression indication
Medicare agency issues national noncoverage determination for Cyberonics' VNS Therapy vagus nerve stimulation implant for treatment resistant depression (TRD) on May 4. The action follows a Feb. 5 noncoverage proposal (1"The Gray Sheet" Feb. 12, 2007, p. 10). The agency "has determined that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that vagus nerve stimulation is not reasonable and necessary for treatment resistant depression," CMS says. Last July, Cyberonics had requested coverage for TRD patients who either have been previously treated with or have refused treatment with electroconvulsive therapy, or have been previously hospitalized for depression. As a result of the depression reimbursement setback, Cyberonics has elected to refocus on its core business - which is centered on VNS Therapy's epilepsy indication...
More from Archive
Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.
Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Medtech Insight, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.
Medtronic announced it received expanded MRI labeling for its DBS systems, which is critical, given that almost 70% of all DBS-eligible patients will likely need an MRI at some point in their care, says Ashwini Sharan, CMO for Medtronic Neuromodulation.
In this episode, Medtech Insight reporter Natasha Barrow speaks to LungLife AI CEO Paul Pagano. Lung Life AI is a US-based AIM-listed medical technology company that has developed a liquid biopsy test for the early detection of lung cancer called Lung LB. Pagano runs through the highlights of Lung Life AI journey to date and its future ambition for a strategic partnership. He also provides advice to similar diagnostic companies seeking reimbursement andcompliance with the US FDA Lab Developed Test ruling.