Lack Of Device Identifiers On Recalled Cardiac Devices Cost Medicare $1.5Bn, OIG Says

Medicare lost $1.5bn in claims over a 10-year period to cover procedures to fix or replace seven faulty cardiac devices due to the lack of product-specific information on its claims form for malfunctioning defibrillators and pacemakers, says the US HHS Office of Inspector General. Recalls of Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Abbott/St. Jude Medical cardiac rhythm management devices are likely behind most of the cost.