BUSINESS NEWS

Countermanding a policy that has existed for more than two decades, in February the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS; Baltimore) announced a proposed policy to provide Medicare reimbursement for artificial heart devices.

The CMS announcement marks the reversal of a decision dating back to 1986, by which the agency had explicitly ruled out such coverage. A final ruling on CMS coverage of artificial heart devices for Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in FDA-approved studies will be made by May 1.

Kerry Weems, acting administrator for CMS, observed that the revised policy "relaxes a long-standing noncoverage policy, gives access to our beneficiaries, and promotes evidence development through FDA-approved studies of this advanced technology."