Government
Medicare expands coverage of carotid artery stenting
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 4, 2005
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expanding coverage of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the carotid artery concurrent with stent placement to patients who are at high risk for carotid endarterectomy.
The national coverage decision applies to high-risk patients with symptomatic narrowing of carotid artery of 70% or more. Medicare also will cover patients who meet the Food and Drug Administration labeled criteria for carotid stents.
CMS is limiting use of carotid stenting to facilities and physicians determined to be competent in performing the evaluation, procedure and follow-up care. The final decision is available online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/04/04/gvbf0404.htm.