The ACC has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) generally supporting its proposed expansion of coverage for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), but also urging the agency to make refinements.

Of note, CMS has proposed to add coverage for suspected masked hypertension, which is supported by the ACC and the 2017 high blood pressure guideline. However, the College has asked for clarification to be certain ABPM is covered as a tool to manage patients already diagnosed with hypertension, as well as to remove coverage criteria that could become obstacles to care.

After reviewing public comments, CMS will issue a final decision memo defining coverage by July 8. Stay tuned for updates.

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory, Masked Hypertension, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Medicare, Medicaid, Hypertension, Disease Management

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