Vasomedical Turns To Angina Market Following Negative CMS Decision
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Vasomedical is counting on a two-pronged strategy of increasing Luminair EECP external counterpulsation therapy sales for angina treatment and decreasing expenses to stay afloat following a detrimental CMS proposed decision
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Medicare In Brief
MTWA covered: Cambridge Heart receives national coverage for its Heartwave II Microvolt T-Wave Alternans test March 21. The non-invasive test can identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. ICD manufacturers, who argued against coverage during the public comment period, fear that the final decision represents an attempt by CMS to cut Medicare costs by reducing the ICD candidate population. The final coverage determination echoes CMS' Dec. 21 proposed decision, which requires use of Cambridge Heart's patented analytic spectral algorithm, but does not mandate MTWA testing for a patient to be eligible for an ICD (1"The Gray Sheet" Jan. 2, 2006, p. 6). Because General Electric's Marquette T-Wave Alternans device relies on a different algorithm than Cambridge Heart's, CMS says that all local carriers covering GE's device must halt coverage until the firm applies for an NCD...
Medicare In Brief
MTWA covered: Cambridge Heart receives national coverage for its Heartwave II Microvolt T-Wave Alternans test March 21. The non-invasive test can identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. ICD manufacturers, who argued against coverage during the public comment period, fear that the final decision represents an attempt by CMS to cut Medicare costs by reducing the ICD candidate population. The final coverage determination echoes CMS' Dec. 21 proposed decision, which requires use of Cambridge Heart's patented analytic spectral algorithm, but does not mandate MTWA testing for a patient to be eligible for an ICD (1"The Gray Sheet" Jan. 2, 2006, p. 6). Because General Electric's Marquette T-Wave Alternans device relies on a different algorithm than Cambridge Heart's, CMS says that all local carriers covering GE's device must halt coverage until the firm applies for an NCD...
CMS Proposes Not To Expand ECP Coverage, But Vasomedical Stays Hopeful
Vasomedical is counting on an impending journal publication to alter CMS' proposed decision not to expand coverage of external counterpulsation therapy for treating additional cardiac conditions