AdvaMed Applauds Ongoing Congressional Efforts to Address Coverage for Breakthrough Technologies
WASHINGTON – Today, following a legislative hearing on improving seniors’ access to innovative medical devices and technologies, AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker commended the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health for hosting the panel.
“One of AdvaMed’s top priorities is ensuring patients have access to the best care available, including new breakthrough technologies,” said Whitaker. “Without Medicare coverage for these devices and treatments, beneficiaries are missing out on the latest innovation that could extend, improve, and even save their lives. AdvaMed thanks the Energy and Commerce Committee for highlighting this important legislation, and we applaud the bipartisan work being done in Congress to support patients. We look forward to continue working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to move this bill forward.”
“Across the country, Medicare patients lack access to life-saving breakthrough treatments and tests, putting them at risk,” said Dean Paranicas, Chair of AdvaMed’s State Medical Technology Alliance and President and CEO of HealthCare Institute of New Jersey. “Whether it is through CMS rulemaking or Congressional action, coverage of these breakthrough technologies is critical, and we applaud Congressional leaders for making this bipartisan legislation a priority.”
The bipartisan legislation would ensure FDA-designated breakthrough technologies are covered for four years by Medicare, and during this period CMS would be required to make permanent coverage determinations for the devices. This ensures safe and effective care is made available to millions of patients. In addition, the bill addresses temporary coverage for breakthrough devices that did not exist when Medicare was created.
Last year, AdvaMed, the largest trade association representing medical technology companies, urged CMS to issue its proposed Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies (TCET) rule, easing the way forward in expanding access to breakthrough technologies and address health disparities by setting a predictable pathway to national Medicare coverage for new devices and diagnostic tools.