H
HemoSense-Brendan
Medicare is currently seeking public comments based upon the PST coalition?s request to expand Medicare coverage for PT/INR testing.
The request asks CMS to expand the population eligible for coverage of home PT/INR monitoring to patients on warfarin without regard for the underlying condition that determines the need for warfarin, as the black box warning on the label for warfarin states that ?Regular monitoring of INR should be performed on all treated patients.? The coalition has asked for the addition of atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis as covered indications.
There have been a few threads over the years about access to PT/INR devices and the challenges that have been faced. This is a great opportunity to help many people who could benefit from regular self testing of their INR levels. I would have to imagine that a coverage decision for patients with Afib and DVTs would send a signal to physicians about supporting patient self testing for ALL patients taking warfarin. Typically, private insurance is predicated on CMS coverage. Thus, it could exert some pressure on private insurance companies to make the process for acquiring self-test monitors easier for MHV patients.
The following CMS (Medicare) link will have all the information you need to comment:
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtrackingsheet.asp?id=209
Note the Deadline to submit comments is July 27th.
The request asks CMS to expand the population eligible for coverage of home PT/INR monitoring to patients on warfarin without regard for the underlying condition that determines the need for warfarin, as the black box warning on the label for warfarin states that ?Regular monitoring of INR should be performed on all treated patients.? The coalition has asked for the addition of atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis as covered indications.
There have been a few threads over the years about access to PT/INR devices and the challenges that have been faced. This is a great opportunity to help many people who could benefit from regular self testing of their INR levels. I would have to imagine that a coverage decision for patients with Afib and DVTs would send a signal to physicians about supporting patient self testing for ALL patients taking warfarin. Typically, private insurance is predicated on CMS coverage. Thus, it could exert some pressure on private insurance companies to make the process for acquiring self-test monitors easier for MHV patients.
The following CMS (Medicare) link will have all the information you need to comment:
https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtrackingsheet.asp?id=209
Note the Deadline to submit comments is July 27th.
