Cardiac Pacemaker National Medicare Coverage Policy Updated

15 Aug 2013

CMS issued a final decision memo Aug. 13 to cover implantation of permanent single- and dual-chamber cardiac pacemakers for documented nonreversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction and second- and/or third-degree atrioventricular block.

CMS will cover permanent single- and dual-chamber cardiac pacemakers for documented nonreversible symptomatic bradycardia due to sinus node dysfunction and second- and/or third-degree atrioventricular block, and expressly will not cover 12 other pacemaker indications.

The agency issued the national coverage policy in a final decision memo released Aug. 13. With the ruling,...