August 25, 2006

In early 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 found that existing scientific evidence does not support using PVI in the treatment of 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.

In response to the assessment, the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) sent a letter (Microsoft Word document, 44K) to BCBSA, requesting that they reconsider their assessment once the Atrial Fibrillation Management Guidelines published by the Society, ACC, and the American Heart Association were published.

[The guidelines were subsequently published in May 2007 and Heart Rhythm Society is working in conjunction with ACC to advocate for coverage and reimbursement for PVI.]