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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (CAG-00067N)

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Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a diagnostic test used to measure blood pressure when isolated clinical blood pressure measurements are suspected to be inaccurate. These suspected inaccuracies in blood pressure measurement generally only occur in defined populations. ABPM is conducted under the supervision of a physician and does not entail patient intervention; it is not considered a self-monitoring device. HCFA must evaluate whether current literature supports the clinical use of ABPM and whether or not ABPM is a "reasonable and necessary" for the Medicare population.
Diagnostic Tests (other)
Requestor Name(s):  Spacelabs Medical Incorporated
Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated:  06/22/2000
Expected NCA Completion Date:  10/17/2001
Public Comment Period:  07/24/2000 - 08/24/2000
Decision Memo Released:  10/17/2001
Lead Analyst(s): 
  • Poppy S. Kendall
Lead Medical Officer(s): 
  • John Whyte, MD, MPH
  • Michael Londner, MD
June 22, 2000 Request letter received by Coverage and Analysis
July 20, 2000 Referred to Center for Health Plans and Providers (CHPP) for final benefit category determination
August 2, 2000 Benefit category confirmed by CHPP
October 25, 2000 Referred to MCAC. Panel and date will be specified soon.
January 8, 2001 Referred to MCAC Medical Devices and Prostetics Panel scheduled to meet on February 21, 2001.
February 21, 2001 MCAC Medical Devices and Prosthetics Panel met to discuss the topic of ABPM.
June 14, 2001 MCAC Executive Committee  met and ratified the recommendations of the Medical Devices and Prosthetics Panel.
July 23, 2001 CMS received the official minutes from the MCAC Executive Committee, signed by the Chairman.
September 24, 2001 Additional time is needed to complete internal CMS review of the draft decision memorandum. The due date will therefore be extended to October 5, 2001.
October 10, 2001 Additional time is needed to complete internal CMS review of the draft decision memorandum. The due date will therefore be extended to October 19, 2001.
October 17, 2001 Decision Memorandum posted which announces CMS's intent to issue an NCD for ABPM for patients with white coat hypertension.
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