CMS to Expand LVAD Coverage
By Crystal Phend, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Medicare may start to pay for permanent left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) for a broader group of heart failure patients, according to proposed changes in coverage.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a draft decision removing body size criteria and easing restrictions around the required duration of failed medical therapy and peak oxygen consumption.
However, the CMS proposal rejected the expansion of reimbursement from patients classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV to include Class IIIb patients.
Complete story>> http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/Medicare/21822