Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Coding Decision and Preliminary Medicare Payment Decision for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Devices
CMS' preliminary Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) coding decision and preliminary Medicare Payment decision for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices is now published in the July 9, 2009 NPWT Public Meeting Agenda. This public meeting affords stakeholders an opportunity to provide input concerning the preliminary decision.
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 required the Secretary to evaluate existing HCPCS codes for NPWT devices to ensure accurate reporting and billing for the items and services under such codes; use an existing process for the consideration of coding changes; and consider all relevant studies and information furnished through the process.
CMS partnered with Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to commission a review of NPWT devices to ensure all relevant studies and information on NPWT were captured. ECRI Institute solicited information from stakeholders and searched literature in conducting this review. A draft report of their findings was published for comment in April 2009. After analysis of comments received, ECRI concluded that the available evidence does not support significant therapeutic distinction of a NPWT system or component of a system. The report informed CMS' HCPCS workgroup's decision. The final report will be publicly available no later than June 10, 2009 on AHRQ's homepage for the Technology Assessment Program at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/techix.htm 
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Page Last Updated: Thursday, 18-Mar-2010 05:49:11 CDT
