Revamped MCAC to review ICDs
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee will convene Feb. 12 at the Baltimore Convention Center to evaluate "all indications for ICDs," responding to Guidant's request that CMS cover prophylactic implantation of the devices. The meeting will be the first under 1MCAC's revised charter abandoning the use of specialty panels in favor of floating members. The event will feature 15 committee members, with a chair and vice-chair still to be announced. Future meeting participants will be selected from a maximum pool of 100 members, based on expertise and availability. Comments on the ICD meeting are due Jan. 29. With the MCAC Executive Committee step eliminated, CMS estimates it will take roughly 90 days after the meeting to issue a decision memo...