CMS has approved Medicare and Medicaid coverage for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement procedures for the treatment of symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation.
The procedures will be subject to CMS’ coverage with evidence development guidelines, meaning coverage will be considered only in the context of a clinical study, according to a March 19 decision memo from the agency.
In the memo, CMS outlined specific patient, provider and clinical trial criteria that must be met for the procedure to warrant coverage.
Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement has been gaining momentum in heart centers across the U.S.
Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine cardiologists have performed at least 100 TTVR procedures using Edwards Lifesciences’ Evoque system as part of an early feasibility study.
In addition, a team from Charleston, S.C.-based MUSC Health’s Heart and Vascular Center recently became the first in the country to implant TRiCares’ Topaz system, also part of an early feasibility study.
Read the full CMS coverage criteria here.
