Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies. 

‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

Medicare money payment reimbursement dollar decline george washington

CMS makes 2025 Medicare cuts official—and doctors are not happy

CMS has published its final rule for the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and it includes significant payment cuts. Cardiology groups have been working hard to stop these changes from going into effect since they were first proposed in July.

HeartLung Technologies, a Houston-based artificial intelligence (AI) company, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for new software that assesses chest CT scans for signs of coronary artery disease (CAD) and other potentially fatal heart conditions. The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic heart evaluations in mind.

FDA clears AI tool that flags signs of heart disease in chest CT scans

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

Heart Rhythm Society launches new group focused on EP advocacy

The new organization, Heart Rhythm Advocates, will urge federal policymakers to pass legislation and support actions that have a positive impact on the future of electrophysiology.

EARLY TAVR investigator Philippe Généreux, MD, announced his team’s findings in front of a packed audience at TCT 2024.

Treating asymptomatic aortic stenosis with TAVR linked to significant benefits

Attendees cheered as lead investigator Philippe Généreux, MD, shared his team's findings at TCT 2024. “A major reset in our approach to severe asymptomatic AS is now warranted,” one veteran cardiologist said about the data. “The concept of watchful waiting is no longer appropriate."

robot reviewing heart data

Medicare coverage expands again for AI-enabled coronary plaque assessments

Another MAC has agreed to cover the use of these advanced technologies to evaluate patients for signs of coronary artery disease. 

Medtronic Evolut FX+ TAVR

Medtronic’s next-generation TAVR device receives CE mark approval

The Evolut FX+ TAVR system, which already received FDA approval in March, was designed with improved coronary access in mind. One cardiologist described the device as a "significant step forward" for patients with heart disease. 

heart doctors and surgeons working together. top cardiology hospitals in the United States.

Cardiothoracic surgeons unite to improve clinical practice guidelines

Four leading cardiothoracic surgery societies have joined forces in the name of developing clinical practice guidelines that are more thorough and consistent.

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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