Medtech

CMS’s draft coverage policy for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) appears largely consistent with our initial expectations, likely bringing some incremental upside as well. If finalized largely as proposed in Sept., as seems probable, we…

In advance of the CMS draft coverage decision for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due June 15 (final Sept. 15), we expect policy changes that – while positive – may be more incremental in their…

We see little reason to alter our base case regarding Medicare coverage of GKOS’s iDose following yesterday’s first contractor open meeting on the five-MAC draft LCD issued in late May. While we believe the MACs…

In advance of Dexcom’s (DXCM) readout of its CONNECT RCT this weekend, which management positions as a “powerful anchor” for broader Medicare CGM coverage in “all people with diabetes,” we ultimately expect a material increase…

With Noridian (17% of services) including instructions that physicians bill for Inspire Medical’s (INSP) Inspire V procedure with a -52 (reduced work / payment) modifier this morning, following a similar update from WPS on May…

Following last week’s draft LCDs requiring Glaukos (GKOS) iDose patients to first fail ≥ 2 topical medications and selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), the absence of reliable data on the proportion of existing patients that can…

The draft local coverage decision (LCD) issued today by five MACs with jurisdiction over ~70% of Glaukos (GKOS) Medicare FFS volumes is both better and worse than we had anticipated for the company’s growing iDose…

With today’s rejection of INSP’s coding application for the Inspire V device by the AMA, the company’s last opportunity to have a new code take effect by Jan. 1, 2028 will be to secure approval…

We suspect iRhythm (IRTC) faces both relief and little more than a modest growth headwind following a finalized local coverage determination (LCD) from its primary Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) this morning. In keeping with expectations…

Medicare Administrative Contractor (WPS) WPS – with jurisdiction over ~13% of INSP implants – this morning updated its hypoglossal nerve LCD billing article to instruct physicians to bill for Inspire V services with a -52…