Manufacturers Urge CMS to Reconsider Negative Decision on Lumbar Decompression

Device manufacturers called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reconsider its proposed decision not to cover percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression (PILD) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

The CMS received comments on its proposed coverage decision from many stakeholders, including device manufacturers Vertos Medical Inc. and VertiFlex Inc. In an Oct. 17 proposed decision memo, the CMS said the treatment isn’t considered reasonable and necessary.

Comments were due Nov. 16, and the CMS said will respond in a final decision memo by Jan. 15, 2014. The proposed memo’s release was delayed by the government shutdown, the CMS said. ...