CMS Proposal Would Plug Up Watchman Reimbursement

Medicare is proposing to put severe constraints on reimbursement for percutaneous left atrial appendage closure using the Boston Scientific Watchman device to prevent stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. On Tuesday afternoon the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the draft of a restrictive national coverage determination (NCD) for Watchman that would almost certainly apply the…

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Trick Or Treat? Hospitals, Haunted By DOJ ICD Investigation, Settle For $250 Million

The specter of the US government investigation into hospital overuse of ICDs has now finally been dismissed. The investigation, which has haunted hospital executives and electrophysiologists since it began in 2011, was finally resolved on the day before Halloween. With a $250 million treat for the government the hospitals have now finally managed to get the unwelcome trick or treaters…

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