It would appear the HCFA is trying to deal with the disincentive issue:
hcfa.gov
This is a recent development -- late '98. A read of this document reveals, that the issue is far from resolved, however. The market for the procedure appears healthy, and would get healthier if this issue were resolved. Incidentally, HCFA just says no to carotid artery stenting at the moment, as the efficacy and safety of that procedure is less proven. So we've only got the coronary stents being reimbursed, now, though other indications -- such as the carotid artery problems -- are being proposed. My take is that the various stenting procedures are gaining slow acceptance by HCFA, and this bodes well.
P.S. DRG = Diagnosis Related Groups
Thus, from the phrase "payment for the device would be included in the DRG rate," it would appear the stents are, in fact, covered, but do not get additional reimbursment, reenforcing the statements to that effect in the preceding paragraphs.
Tuck |
