CMS proposes a pay bump | Watchman safety concerns | EP catheters recalled | ASNC calls on Congress | Medicare coverage for RDN

The 2026 MPFS proposed rule includes higher conversion factors across the board. However, some cardiology groups remain concerned about a series of reimbursement reductions for high-value cardiology services. 

Because of this risk, which has been associated with 120 serious injuries, Boston Scientific is updating the instructions for use of several Watchman access systems.

Customers with these devices on hand are asked to return them right away. No serious injuries have been reported at this time, but the presence of residual particulates can lead to such side effects as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

Suman Tandon, MD, an American Society of Nuclear Cardiology board member, explains the group's call on Congress to update a number of healthcare policies. 

This proposal, if finalized, would dramatically increase patient access to renal denervation. Both Recor Medical and Medtronic have shared their excitement over the news.

Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, MPH, explained the many ways cardiology's business models are starting to evolve. She also touched on a number of other topics, including AI and the power of prevention.

Boston Scientific manufactured these devices from 2002 to 2021, and approximately 354,000 are still in use. It is recommended that clinicians look for early signs of this issue during scheduled follow-up appointments.

The FDA and other federal agencies believe limiting ultra-processed foods can help "Make America Healthy Again." They highlighted years of research linking these foods to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions. 

The tricuspid valve has been at the center of several key policy shifts in recent years. In fact, Medicare now covers both T-TEER and TTVR when performed with FDA-approved devices. We spoke to interventional cardiologist Jason H. Rogers, MD, to learn more about how this momentum has impacted patient care. 

The FDA thinks 24/7 fitness trackers from Boston-based Whoop should be regulated like medical devices. Whoop disagrees, however, and neither side appears to be changing its mind.