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H i Carol, You asked if Medicare will pay for DBS? Currently it depends on where you live - the decision is up to the local Medicare carrier, but that may change, due to one individual, Barry Green, a PWP from Texas, taking action. While working on an article on this issue, i spoke to Barry, and contacted the Medicare agency. It's a complex issue, but as I understand it so far: I was surprised to learn Medicare law does not specify which medical devices, surgical procedures or diagnostic services should or should not be covered. Most Medicare coverage decisions are made locally by the private companies that process and pay for Medicare claims. BUT the federal Health Care Financing Administration (now called CMS) does have the authority to make nationwide coverage decisions in certain cases, which then become binding on all Medicare carriers. The public may request such a national coverage decision, and Barry has filed a request for nationwide coverage of DBS for Parkinson's. The decision is currently pending. You can follow this process on the tracking sheet for Medicare Coverage Policy Decisions - Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease, which is at www.hcfa.gov/coverage/8b3-jjj1.htm HCFA is currently reviewing the scientific evidence to determine if the procedure is a "reasonable and necessary service for Medicare beneficiaries." Some type of decision is due by April 5,2002, which may include a coverage decision, noncoverage, limited coverage, continued contractor discretion, or referral to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee "which advises HCFA after reviewing scientific evidence whether Medicare should cover a service." According to HCFA, MCAC meetings are open to the public and are announced on their webste and in the Federal Register. In addition there are a number of other relevant coverage issues, which may also be addressed such as possible resurgeries, battery replacement, standards for surgeons, hospitals, and the conditional FDA approval pending further studies. ***Additionally according to HCFA - Public comment is welcome in any form during the review process (letter or email is best) and becomes part of the consideration and the official record. Comments from those who have benefited from DBS would be especially valuable, I think: Emails can be sent directly from the tracking sheet to: The lead analyst for this decision is Perry Bridger : [log in to unmask] Lawrence Schott islisted as the lead medical officer [log in to unmask] or snail mail Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244-1850 ALSO: HCFA purchased a technology assessment of DBS as part of the review - this is an analysis of the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of a health care technology. The full assessment is posted on the web at: http://www.hcfa.gov/coverage/8b3-jjj2.htm It contains a lot of evaluative information and analysis of the research on DBS, and may be useful to people who are trying to convince their HMO's or insurance companies to provide this coverage. Thank you Barry from all of us, Linda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn