Device Industry Urges CMS To Protect Use Of Medical Innovations In ACO Program

Article preview from "The Gray Sheet"- June 13, 2011

In an attempt to prevent accountable care organizations from stifling medtech innovation, medical device groups are calling for widespread changes to a Medicare Shared Savings Program proposal unveiled earlier this spring.

Device Industry Urges CMS To Protect Use Of Medical Innovations In ACO Program

Article preview from "The Gray Sheet"- June 13, 2011

CMS took comments through June 6 on its proposed ACO program, slated under health care reform to begin next January.

ACO proponents believe that by encouraging more coordination in the care of individual patients, the voluntary program could lower health care costs by reducing duplicative tests and unnecessary hospitalizations, among other savings. Under the CMS proposal, Medicare would share cost savings with the ACO, which would then distribute its share of savings among participating providers.

Device industry stakeholders support these general aims, but raise concerns that as written, the rulemaking does not do enough to discourage providers from withholding medically necessary products and services.

Continued...

To read this article in its entirety, Purchase now as a PDF and receive it immediately via email. Or get it FREE when you subscribe to Medtech Insight Newsletter.

About Medtech Insight

Medtech Insight newsletter provides insights into the technology and market developments (devices, instrumentation, biomaterials, gene therapy, tissue engineering, etc.) impacting a wide range of surgical and non-surgical clinical practices.

Plus:
To find out about more about more about Elsevier Business Intelligence's medical device publications and databases, multi-user access and/or advertising with Medical Devices Today, please contact Kristy Kennedy at (480) 985-9512