CMS finalizes coverage guidelines for TAVR

CMS on June 21 issued its finalized national coverage determination (NCD) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)—one that reportedly offers greater flexibility for hospitals and providers.

According to the final coverage policy, CMS will continue to cover TAVR under coverage with evidence development (CED) if the procedure is furnished in line with an FDA-approved indication. The agency has, however, updated the coverage criteria for hospitals and physicians who want to begin or maintain a TAVR program, requiring existing programs to perform at least 50 AVRs (TAVR or surgical AVR) and 300 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) per year to retain their status.

You can read the CMS publication here: CMS finalizes coverage guidelines for TAVR