Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) announced today that reimbursement for its CGMs has been expanded or initiated across a number of countries. Earlier this month, the Ontario, Canada provincial government announced a comprehensive reimbursement program for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for eligible residents who have type 1 diabetes, adding to a similar program for those with type 1 […]
CMS
Pear Therapeutics advances in efforts to get CMS to cover prescription digital therapeutics
Pear Therapeutics (NSDQ:PEAR) announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established new coding relevant to its prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs). CMS established a new Level II Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code to describe prescription digital behavioral therapy — FDA-cleared — per course of treatment, which extends to PDTs including Pear’s reSET, […]
CMS puts final nail in MCIT payment proposal for breakthrough devices
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rescinded the Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) and definition of “Reasonable and Necessary” final rule today. CMS said it intends to explore ways to improve the coverage process for better access to innovative and beneficial medical devices, including a process for the Medicare program to […]
Senators urge CMS to create payment program for breakthrough devices
Ten U.S. senators are calling on the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a new rule allowing government payments for medical devices designated as breakthroughs by the FDA. CMS said in September that it would not move forward with the Medicare Coverage for Innovative Technologies (MCIT) rule, citing safety concerns for […]
CMS aborts launch of MCIT payment program for breakthrough devices
CMS intends to kill the Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) program that would have accelerated government payments for medical devices designated by the FDA as breakthroughs. CMS (the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) disclosed its proposal in the Federal Registrar yesterday — three months before the rule was set to take effect […]
Senate confirms new CMS leader
The U.S. Senate today confirmed President Joe Biden’s selection to lead CMS, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, with a 55-44 vote in favor. Brooks-LaSure will be the first Black woman to hold the position, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Twitter. She previously served in the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services during the […]
Boston Scientific, Stryker may get extension on Medicare payments
CMS has issued a proposal for the 2022 fiscal year that would potentially help big medtech companies like Boston Scientific and Stryker. Released yesterday, the proposal for the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long Term Care Hospital (LTCH) offers updated Medicare payment policies and rates for operating and capital-related costs of acute […]
CMS delays shift to new payment model for chronic kidney disease treatments
CMS will now wait until Jan. 1, 2022 to start its Kidney Care Choices model, meant to shift the way the U.S. treats chronic kidney disease. The new payment model was supposed to start on Jan. 1 of this year, but health providers are still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The new model could have […]
CMS consolidates coverage for Intersect ENT’s corticosteroid-eluting implant
Intersect ENT (NSDQ:XENT) announced today that it received consolidated Medicare coverage for its Sinuva sinus implant. Menlo Park, Calif.-based Intersect ENT said in a news release that CMS published an average selling price (ASP) for the Sinuva implant, providing predictability, transparency and confidence of reimbursement for providers and payers in the future. Get the full story […]
Ambu, Boston Sci execs see domination for single-use scopes
Hospital closures connected to COVID-19 have cut into the sales of many medical device companies, but executives at rival makers of single-use scopes say pandemic has only heightened existing concerns about contamination, exposure and cost. In interviews in this week’s DeviceTalks Weekly Podcast, executives from Ambu A/S and Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) said improved technology make […]