Medtronic, Others Call for Medicare to Cover New Pacemakers

Major device companies and several medical societies June 16 recommended that Medicare cover new cardiac pacemakers that don’t have wires connecting the pacing device to the heart.

Medtronic and St. Jude Medical Inc. separately urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to cover the leadless pacemakers because they offer better outcomes than conventional pacemakers.

Leadless pacemakers first won approval in the U.S. in April, after the Food and Drug Administration approved a Medtronic model. Conventional pacemakers require the use of “leads,” or wires, that connect the pacing device to the heart.

Leads can cause complications and the need for ...