Boston Sci's Watchman Gets Positive Medicare Coverage Policy

CMS granted national coverage for left atrial appendage closure procedures to prevent stroke under more favorable conditions than what the Medicare agency had proposed in November. This is good news for Boston Scientific, which is ramping up marketing of its Watchman device.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has put into place a national coverage policy for Boston Scientific's Watchman left atrial appendage closure device for stroke. In doing so, the agency removed some previously proposed coverage conditions that would have made use of the technology in the Medicare population a steep challenge.

As a result, Boston Scientific is "very pleased" with the policy, issued Feb. 8. "This decision provides consistent, appropriate coverage for the Watchman device, and takes into account more than...

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