Hi all,
A nationwide Medicare coverage decision for bilateral deep brain
stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for treatment of Parkinson’s
is currently pending in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS). The request for a decision was initiated by Dr. Barry Green, who
some of you may also know as editor of Parkinsonian People newspaper. If
CMS issues a nationwide Medicare coverage decision for DBS, it would
become binding on all Medicare carriers, throughout the country.
Currently about 50% of the states have a state-wide coverage policy. In
the others Medicare coverage is decided on a case by case basis.
For more information and background see - www.grassrootsconnection.com
The next steps in the process:
1. On June 12, 2002 the Medical and Surgical Panel of the Medicare
Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) will meet in Baltimore to “ discuss
the quality of evidence regarding the use of deep brain stimulation for
the treatment of Parkinson's disease."
(See notice of meeting below)
2. The panel will provide their advice and recommendations to the MCAC
Execuctive Committee, which will review and consider the panel's
recommendations at its next meeting. The Committee will then advise the
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on whether adequate
evidence exists to determine if DBS treatment for Parkinson's is
reasonable and necessary under Medicare law.
3.CMS will them make the final Coverage Decision.
The following meeting notice about the June 12th panel meeting appeared
in the Federal Register : April 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 81)]
[Notices] [ Page 20801-20802]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-3097-N]
Medicare Program; Meeting of the Medical and Surgical Procedures
Panel of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee--June 12, 2002
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting of the Medical and
Surgical Procedures Panel (the Panel) of the Medicare Coverage Advisory
Committee (the Committee). The Panel provides advice and
recommendations to the Committee about clinical issues. The Committee
advises us on whether adequate evidence exists to determine whether
specific medical items and services are reasonable and necessary under
Medicare law. The panel will discuss the quality of evidence regarding
the use of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson's
disease. In addition, the panel will make recommendations concerning
the issues presented. Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2)).
DATES: Meeting Date: The public meeting announced in this notice will
be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., E.D.T.
Deadline for Presentations and Comments: May 31, 2002, 5 p.m., E.D.T.
Special Accommodations: Persons attending the meeting who are
hearing or visually impaired, or have a condition that requires special
assistance or accommodations, are asked to notify the Executive
Secretary,
[[Page 20802]]
CMS Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, by May 24, 2002 (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
ADDRESSES: The Meeting: The meeting will be held at the Baltimore
Convention Center, Room 337-338, One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD
21201.
Presentations and Comments: Submit formal presentations and written
comments to:
Michelle Atkinson, Executive Secretary,
CMS Office of Clinical Standards and Quality at telephone number (410)
786-2881,
or
e-mail address [log in to unmask],
or via regular mail at:
Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid
Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C1-09-06, Baltimore,
Maryland 21244
Hotline: You may access current information about this meeting on
the CMS Advisory Committee Information Hotline, 1-877-449-5659 (toll
free) or in the Baltimore area (410) 786-9379.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, (410) 786-2881,
[log in to unmask]
II. Meeting Format
This meeting is open to the public. The Panel will hear oral
presentations from the public for approximately 45 minutes. The Panel
may limit the number and duration of oral presentations to the time
available.
If you wish to make formal presentations, you must notify
the Executive Secretary named in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section, and submit the following by the Deadline for Presentations and
Comments date listed in the DATES section of this notice: a brief
statement addressing the general nature of the evidence or arguments
you wish to present, the names and addresses of proposed participants,
and an estimate of time required to make the presentation. A written
copy of your presentation must be provided to each Panel member before
offering your public comments. We will request that you disclose at the
meeting whether or not you have any financial involvement with
manufacturers of any items or services being discussed (or with their
competitors).
The Panel will deliberate openly about the issues discussed after
public and CMS presentations. Interested persons may observe the
deliberations, but the Panel will not hear further comments during this
time except at the request of the chairperson.
The Panel will also allow a 15-minute unscheduled open public session
for attendees to
address issues specific to the topic.
At the conclusion of the day, the members will vote and the Panel will
make its recommendation.
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