Experimental Or Established? Clinicians, Insurers Debate S-ICDs

Despite many electrophysiologists' enthusiasm for less-invasive cardiac rhythm management devices, insurers are frequently denying coverage of Boston Scientific's Emblem subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) for patients, citing what they argue is a lack of adequate clinical data that shows them to be better than "experimental." Boston Scientific recently sponsored a virtual roundtable of physicians to discuss how new professional society guidelines are influencing prescribing and reimbursement of these devices.