The CMS change assigns the CVRx neuromodulation implant for procedures performed in the outpatient setting. It comes as part of the 2024 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule.
Barostim’s reassignment brings it to New Technology APC 1580, which carries an average payment amount of $45,000. The new payment takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024, the Minneapolis-based company said in a news release. This change comes after Barostim was assigned to APC5465 last year — carrying an average payment of $29,000. The change comes with a transitional pass-through payment set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
“We sincerely appreciate the consideration taken by CMS of the resource requirements associated with the Barostim implant procedure. We believe that reassignment to APC 1580 will facilitate increased access to the therapy for Medicare patients with heart failure by offering facilities sufficient reimbursement for the procedure,” said Nadim Yared, president and CEO of CVRx.
CVRx designed Barostim to deliver electrical pulses to baroreceptors in the wall of the carotid artery. These 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. It also holds CE mark approval for heart failure and resistant hypertension in Europe.
