Changes to the NCD for Chronic Heart Failure Patients Receiving ICDs

Every patient receiving an implantable cardioverters defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention will be required to have an encounter for shared decision-making using an evidence-based decision tool, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ICDs are often implanted in patients with chronic heart failure whose life expectancy is limited and whose quality of life tends to decline as their heart failure worsens.

CMS released a final decision memo for changes to the national coverage determination (NCD) for ICDs last Friday during American Heart Month. Reporting on this breaking news is Ronald Hirsch, MD, a RACmonitor contributing editor and the vice president of the Regulations and Education Group at R1 Physician Advisory Services.

Other segments featured in this episode include:

• News Desk: Larry Field, DO, anchors the Talk Ten Tuesdays News Desk with the very latest healthcare news. Field is the treasurer of the American College of Physician Advisors.
  
  
• CDI Report: Total Knee Replacement: Lisa Banker, chief physician advisor and vice president for case management at McLeod Health in South Carolina, reports on how her facility approaches total knee replacement. In her role, Dr. Banker serves as a physician leader.
  
  
• Coding Report: California Health Information Association Past President Gloryanne Bryant returns to report on the availability of three programs from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to promote awareness of heart disease.
  
  
• Mental Health Report: Last Wednesday's shooting at a Florida high school – the 17th incident of gunfire at an American school this year – brings us to the subject of mental health. H. Steven Moffic, MD, the nationally renowned psychiatrist, reflects on the issue of mental health.

Talk Ten Tuesdays. More than just talk.™