- CMS has initiated a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for TAVR, which could affect patient eligibility and care settings.
- As TAVR expands, STS is focused on ensuring coverage remains grounded in patient safety and evidence-based care.
- STS urged CMS to continue Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) through the STS/ACC TVT Registry™.
- Preserving the multidisciplinary Heart Team model and existing volume and program requirements is critical to maintaining high-quality outcomes.
- STS and partner societies submitted a joint comment letter and met with CMS, and will continue advocating as CMS reviews feedback and proposes next steps.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has initiated a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a process that may affect where and how TAVR is delivered and which patients are eligible for treatment. As TAVR continues to expand into new patient populations and care settings, STS is focused on ensuring that coverage policies remain grounded in patient safety and evidence-based care.
In response to CMS, STS emphasized the importance of continuing Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) through the STS/ACC TVT Registry™ to support the safe and evidence-based expansion of TAVR. STS emphasized that high-quality outcomes depend on preserving the multidisciplinary Heart Team model, as well as existing volume and program requirements, as TAVR extends into new patient populations and care settings.
In parallel, STS collaborated with the American College of Cardiology, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery to develop a multi-society comment letter reinforcing these principles and supporting ongoing CED through registry participation. Together, we met directly with CMS to provide clinical and policy feedback on the NCA.
Next steps for CMS include reviewing the feedback collected and publishing a proposed NCA for additional comment. STS will continue to advocate for policies that support high standards, multidisciplinary collaboration, and data-driven decision-making, and to encourage members to remain engaged as CMS considers the future of TAVR coverage