Many Medicare patients with implanted pacemakers or cardioverter defibrillators who meet certain criteria are now eligible to receive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under an updated national coverage determination. Earlier this year the ACC joined with the American College of Radiology, the Heart Rhythm Society and the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance to pen a letter in support of changes proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand MRI coverage for patients with implanted cardiac devices. Specific changes recommended in the comments regarding pacemaker dependent-patients, a minimum waiting period after device implantation, abandoned leads and supervision standards, were made in the final decision. The policy is effective as of April 10, though it takes several months for CMS and contractors to update claims processing protocols.

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Medicaid, Medicare, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Pacemaker, Artificial, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Defibrillators

< Back to Listings