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.

Pacemaker

• 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.

Atrial Fibrillation

• 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.

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.