CVRx Notches Medicare Win for Barostim Implant

CVRx announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reassigned its Barostim implant procedure for the inpatient setting as part of the fiscal year 2025 Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule.
 
In FY 2024, Barostim was assigned to MS-DRGs 252, 253, 254 with a national average payment range of $17,000-$23,000. For FY 2025, Barostim will be reassigned to MS-DRG 276, which carries a national average payment of about $43,000.
 
The new payment takes effect Oct. 1, 2024.
 
“We applaud CMS’ consideration and recognition of the resource requirements associated with the Barostim implant procedure. We believe that reassignment to MS-DRG 276 will facilitate increased access to the therapy for patients with heart failure by establishing sufficient reimbursement for the procedure when performed in an inpatient setting,” said Kevin Hykes, president and CEO of CVRx.
 
Barostim is the first FDA-approved technology that uses neuromodulation to improve heart failure symptoms. The implant delivers electrical pulses to baroreceptors in the carotid artery wall. Baroreceptors activate the body’s baroreflex, triggering an autonomic response in the heart.
 
CVRx designed the therapy to restore balance to the autonomic nervous system and reduce heart failure symptoms.
 
Earlier this year, the company earned approval of revised Instructions For Use for Barostim, incorporating key long-term clinical data from the BeAT-HF randomized clinical trial.