Medicare to Expand Heart Pump Coverage
Proposed Medicare rules would add 30% to coverage for Thoratec Corp.’s heart-assist device.
Thoratec said the proposed rules would reimburse the company’s heart pumps at about $125,000 per procedure, compared with about $96,000 currently, when used as a permanent treatment.
The Pleasanton, California-based company said some medical centers would qualify for much more generous reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The changes affect any ventricular assist device used to prolong life in heart failure patients too sick to receive a heart transplant. The changes would not affect coverage of the devices when used as a temporary treatment until a patient can receive a heart transplant.
Thoratec said the proposed ruling is subject to a 60-day public comment period. The final rule is due August 1, and would take effect October 1.
The company said it believes most of the patients who receive its heart assist devices for permanent use will be enrolled in Medicare.
