Biden Team Proposes to Nix Medicare Rule for Life-Saving Devices

The Biden administration is proposing to repeal a Trump-era rule that gives medical device companies faster Medicare payments for life-saving products.

The rule (RIN 0938-AT88), which was finalized in January, allows Medicare to start paying for certain devices right after they get a green light from the Food and Drug Administration—cutting back the typical nine- to 12-month turnaround time companies wait to get paid. The rule was slated to take effect Dec. 15.

But the final rule “is not in the best interest of Medicare beneficiaries because the rule may provide coverage without adequate evidence that the Breakthrough Device would ...