Atrial Fibrillation

• Society Volunteer Testifies at MedCAC Hearing on AF Ablation (10/21/2009) —Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS testified on behalf of the Society before the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MedCAC) panel at its Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation meeting. The Society believes that there is adequate evidence available to support the use of catheter ablative techniques in the treatment of patients with AF and hopes that its comments will be strongly considered by MedCAC Panel when voting on this issue. Learn more »
• Society Offers Feedback on Comparative Effectiveness Report on RFA (01/07/2009) — The Heart Rhythm Society chose Sana Al-Khatib, MD, MHS; N.A.Mark Estes III, MD, FHRS, CCDS; Richard Fogel, MD, FHRS; Shih-Ann Chen, MD, FHRS; Fred Kusumoto, MD, FHRS; Kathy Blake, MD; Raj Goyal, MD; and Andrea Russo, MD to provide feedback to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) during the open comment period on the Comparative Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation report. Learn more »
• Society Provides Comments to CMS on Potential NCD for AF Ablation (10/08/2008) — In response to CMS’s request for comment on the potential National Coverage Decision for AF Ablation, the Society submitted comments that demonstrate health benefits in patients who received an ablation for AF. In addition, these comments were supported by five randomized controlled clinical trials and clinical guidelines. Learn more »
• CMS Considers Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation on List of Potential NCD Topics (08/05/2008) — On July 30, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed list of topics for potential National Coverage Determinations (NCD) for public comment. The list, which will be released quarterly, includes catheter ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Learn more »
• Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology (ACC) Submit Letter to Blue Cross/Blue Shield on Assessment of Pulmonary Vein Isolation (08/26/2006) — the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's (BCBSA) Technology Evaluation Center (TEC) published an assessment of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial fibrillation (AF). The assessment was based on a limited review of literature that met coverage criteria. Based on this assessment, many private payers including some BCBSA carriers do not provide reimbursement for PVI to treat AF. Learn more »
• Washington Report: Heart Rhythm Society is Working to Ensure Coverage for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation (08/24/2006) — The Society will be proactively communicating with the nation’s private payers to advocate for the coverage and reimbursement of ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation if prior antiarrhythmic therapy has failed or as an alternative to amiodarone in younger patients based on the above internationally recognized guidelines. Learn more »
• Advocacy Efforts Change WELLPOINT Policy on Atrial Fibrillation Ablation! (08/24/2006) — Heart Rhythm Society and American College of Cardiology (ACC) advocacy efforts were successful in working with Wellpoint to change its non-coverage policy. Learn more »

ICDs
(See also the Society's ICD Registry™ Program section for additional information)

• Expanded ICD Coverage for Primary Prevention (02/23/2005) — On January 27, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its expanded ICD coverage decision for primary prevention ICD therapy. Learn more »
• Washington Report: Heart Rhythm Society Advocacy Efforts Successful; Better Patient Care Will Result (02/10/2005) — CMS has expanded primary prevention ICD coverage for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. This coverage decision will directly lead to saving patient's lives. Learn more »
• Heart Rhythm Society Commends CMS Final Decision on Expanding ICD Coverage (01/07/2005) — Stephen C. Hammill, MD, FHRS, then-President of the Heart Rhythm Society, applauds CMS decision to expand the ICD Coverage. Learn more.
• Washington Report: Expanded Primary Prevention ICD Coverage Imminent; Data Collection Required (01/26/2005) — The Society comments on the CMS decision to expand the number of heart failure patients eligible for ICD therapy. Learn more »

Pacemakers

• Dual Chamber Pacemakers NCD Update Requested (04/26/11) — The Society, having received reports from members of audits by local Medicare Administrative Contractors of dual chamber pacemaker implant procedures, has recommended that CMS align its coverage determination better with current evidence-based guidance on dual chamber pacemaker implant procedures (including the adoption of the 2008 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline indications) as well as urging CMS to reverse denials for implants that meet the current guidelines. Learn more »
• CMS Issues a CERT Fact Sheet for Cardiac Pacemakers (11/19/2011) — On January 10, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) Cardiac Pacemaker fact sheet to support efforts to reduce the number of errors associated with the implantation of cardiac pacemakers. The fact sheet highlights the National Coverage Determination requirements for dual-pacemaker implantations, as well as common CERT errors. Learn more »
• Heart Rhythm Society Encourages CMS to Update Pacemaker Policy (02/14/2005) — The Society wrote a letter to Sean Tunis, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at CMS to encourage the agency to update the Pacemaker policy. View the letter »

Microvolt T-Wave

• The Society's Comment on the Use of Microvolt T-Waves Alernans Testing (09-14-2007) — The Society comments on CMS’s reconsideration of the National Coverage Decision on Microvolt T-wave to authorize coverage for measurements of MTWA using the modified moving average method. View the letter (PDF, 104k).
• Heart Rhythm Society Comments on the Use of Microvolt T-wave Alternans Testing (06-27-2006) — The California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF) recently contacted HRS to request expert testimony on Microvolt T-Wave Alternans Testing (MTWA). The Society submitted written testimony saying that that Heart Rhythm Society does not support routine use of MTWA in selecting patients for an ICD until more data are available. Learn more
• CMS Covers Microvolt T-wave Alternans (04/06/2006) — CMS has determined that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that Microvolt T-wave Alternans (MTWA) diagnostic testing is reasonable and necessary for the evaluation of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. Learn more »
• Heart Rhythm Society Comments to CMS Regarding Microvolt T-wave Alternans (08/01/2005) — The Heart Rhythm Society wrote a letter to James Rollins, MD, MSHA, PhD, Lead Medical Officer at CMS, explaining that the Society believes that more prospective studies are needed to further delineate the role of MTWA in selecting patients for an ICD. Learn more »

Automatic External Defibrillators

• Society Comments on Proposed Changes to LCD for AEDs (09/23/2011) — The Society and the American College of Cardiology sent a joint letter to the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor commenting on the proposed revisions to Local Coverage Determination (LCD) DL13613 for Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). Learn more »