Medtech


September 2, 2026

EW: TAVR NCD Expectations & Implications

By John Leppard

With CMS set to release its finalized update to the TAVR NCD by Sept. 13 [likely posted after the close here], we largely expect it to maintain the core elements of the original proposal. More…

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August 25, 2026

Medtech & Biopharma Catalyst Calendar

By John Leppard

This fall seems likely to be a busy one for medtech and biopharma, with key policy catalysts coming up for a number of companies. These span from both the far-reaching in terms of most favored…

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August 19, 2026

HTFL: SaMS & Longer-Term Medicare Rate Outlook

By John Leppard

Following HTFL’s strong 2Q26 results, we have received a number of questions on how Medicare hospital outpatient reimbursement might evolve in light of CMS’s proposal to eventually establish a new payment paradigm for software as…

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August 12, 2026

GKOS: iDose LCD Expectations

By John Leppard

With GKOS’s strong 2Q26 results coming on the heels of five separate MAC stakeholder meetings on the draft iDose LCDs issued in late May, we suspect the final policy – likely out in Oct. /…

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August 10, 2026

RAPID Device Coverage & Constraints

By John Leppard

While a longer-term thematic positive, we are skeptical Friday’s draft notice [Fact Sheet] outlining the RAPID device Medicare coverage pathway will offer meaningful near-term benefits for industry amid agency capacity constraints. Coming nearly four months…

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July 16, 2026

CDNA: Positive Coverage Surprise & Implications

By John Leppard

Today’s final coverage decision on organ allograft rejection testing represents a clear positive for CareDx (CDNA), with meaningful improvements over both last year’s initial proposal and even our own expectations, likely neutralizing what had been…

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July 15, 2026

SIBN Up, BSX Down: Physician Rule Standouts

By John Leppard

We view positive rate changes for SI-BONE’s (SIBN) iFuse 3D / TORQ and negative adjustments for Boston Scientific’s (BSX) Watchman as the most notable items for investors following release of CMS’s draft CY27 Physician Fee…

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June 16, 2026

EW: TAVR Draft Coverage Puts & Takes

By John Leppard

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…

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June 11, 2026

[EW, MDT, ABT] TAVR: Incremental Gains From Expected Coverage

By John Leppard

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…

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June 10, 2026

GKOS iDose: MAC Pushback Persists

By John Leppard

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…

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