CMS revises Medicare local coverage determination process

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has revised the way Medicare administrative contractors make local coverage determinations for medical technologies, as required by the 21st Century Cures Act to promote transparency. Among other changes, the updated process expands who can participate on the contractor advisory committees that inform LCDs, opens CAC meetings to the public and requires a standardized summary of the clinical evidence supporting an LCD decision. CMS said the changes, published as an update to the Medicare Program Integrity Manual, will clarify and simplify the LCD process so that companies can get therapies and devices to patients more efficiently.