CMS proposes to grant new hospital inpatient payment categories for transcatheter valve replacements, a potential boon to Edwards’ and Medtronic’s devices. But the Medicare agency continues to stand firm against upgrading payment levels for Abbott’s MitraClip percutaneous mitral valve repair procedure.

New Medicare coverage policy for transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a significant step for the nascent procedure and a possible window into how the agency will address future high-profile, early-stage technologies.

South Korea has formulated new detailed policy measures to support the formation of major bioclusters, which will offer tax and other incentives in a bid to lure foreign firms and talent.