National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Electrical Bioimpedance for Cardiac Output Monitoring

CAG-00001R

Issue

Electrical Bioimpedance for Cardiac Output Monitoring, also known as impedance cardiography and thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB), is a diagnostic method that non-invasively measures cardiac output. In 1999, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a national coverage decision (Coverage Issues Manual 50-54) for TEB for six indications. We have been asked to reevaluate the scope of the existing policy and to consider an additional indication, the management of hypertension. Our decision may take the form of continuing the current policy, noncoverage, limiting coverage, or expanding coverage. In the interim, the current coverage policy remains in force until a new policy decision, if any, is finalized based on our reconsideration. A new policy would be prospective and would not call into question the legitimacy of the claims paid for under the old policy.

Benefit Category

Diagnostic Tests (other)

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Laurence J. Clark, MD, FACP, Trailblazer Health Enterprises, LLC N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
12/06/2001
Expected NCA Completion Date
07/07/2003
Public Comment Period
07/07/2002 - 08/06/2002
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
08/07/2003

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Gay Burton
Joyce Eng
Lead Medical Officers
Madeline Ulrich, MD, MS

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

December 6, 2001

CMS formally accepted request for reconsideration and extension of coverage.

February 5, 2002

CMS commissioned a technology assessment on February 4, 2002. The technology assessment should be completed by August 5, 2002. The issues to be addressed by the technology assessment will be posted soon on this site.

May 3, 2002

CMS is posting the final questions  that will be addressed in the technology assessment.

September 5, 2002

Due to the complexity of the issues being addressed, CMS does not expect the final technology assessment to be completed and sent to the Agency until October. CMS will issue its decision memorandum within 60 days of receipt of the final technology assessment.

December 4, 2002

CMS received final technology assessment. CMS intends to issue a Decision Memorandum within 60 days.

December 27, 2002

An earlier version of the tracking sheet incorrectly listed the Due Date as January 3, 2003. The correct Due Date is January 30, 2003

January 7, 2003

New England Medical Center submitted a technical correction to the technology assessment.

April 7, 2003

Additional time is needed to complete CMS’s internal review of the issue.  The new due date is June 7, 2003.

August 7, 2003

Decision Memorandum is posted to the CMS website