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CMS Updates Medicare Coverage For LVADs, Artificial Hearts

Agency to eliminate “coverage with evidence development” status

 
• By Sue Darcey

Patient selection criteria will be the key to allowing CMS coverage of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) when there is no longer a coverage with evidence development requirement, the US agency wrote.

Left ventricular assist device attached to the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta
Illustration of the performance of a left ventricular assist device

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed updating its policy for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and artificial hearts to allow Medicare coverage by removing waitlist requirements and the need to get permission from the US agency before performing bridge-to-transplants, or destination therapy of the devices.

Released on 12 August, the decision memo also lifts the “coverage with evidence development” requirements for LVADs and artificial hearts, when beneficiaries are enrolled in a clinical study with...

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