The policy goes into effect on May 1, 2026. According to CVRx, it now has a policy with the second-largest Medicare Advantage program in the U.S. in Humana. It says the national health insurance company provides coverage to approximately 5.2 Medicare Advantage members across 46 states.
Minneapolis-based CVRx said the policy covers Barostim or patients meeting its current FDA-approved indication as well as patients enrolled in the BENEFIT-HF trial, the landmark heart failure study evaluating Barostim in a significantly expanded patient population initiated earlier this year.
Barostim delivers electrical pulses to baroreceptors in the wall of the carotid artery. The pulses activate the body’s baroreflex, triggering an autonomic response to the heart. CVRx designed the therapy to restore balance to the autonomic nervous system, reducing the symptoms of heart failure. The system holds FDA breakthrough device designation and FDA approval for use in heart failure patients in the U.S.
CVRx’s latest Medicare milestone follows multiple wins for Barostim over the past couple of years. In October 2024, CMS assigned Barostim to a higher-paying MS-DRG for inpatient procedures. That same month, Barostim got the nod to transition from Category III to Category I CPT codes as of Jan. 1, 2026. Last year, CMS proposed to keep Barostim within its payment class.
Kevin Hykes, president and CEO of CVRx, said:
“We are pleased to receive this Medicare Advantage coverage policy from Humana, which represents the first coverage policy for Barostim and marks an important milestone in our efforts to expand access to the therapy for patients living with heart failure. Humana’s policy reflects continued progress in educating payers on the clinical outcomes and patient benefits of Barostim therapy. We believe this policy validates our commercial strategy, supports ongoing discussions with other regional and national payers, and will help accelerate adoption of Barostim through more consistent coverage.”
