American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) past president Jonathan Lindner, MD, is a newly-named advisor to the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC), which advises the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on whether services and supplies are reasonable and necessary under Medicare.
“I am honored at the opportunity to serve as a voice for cardiovascular ultrasound as an advisor to the MEDCAC,” Lindner said in a statement issued by ASE. “This appointment recognizes the important work of echocardiography, solidifies the field’s role as a specialty that is important to patient care, and reiterates the many ways cardiovascular ultrasound is at the forefront of new technology and science.”
As a member on the MEDCAC, Lindner brings more than 30 years’ experience in clinical, educational and research activities in cardiovascular ultrasound imaging.
Lindner has been the M. Lowell Edwards Professor of Medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University, and chief of the Oregon National Primate Research Center’s Division of Cardiometabolic Health. But, he will soon relocate to the University of Virginia as the Francis Ball Chair of Medicine and vice chair of research for cardiology.
ASE said Lindner is a recognized leader in cardiovascular medicine. He has published more than 275 original papers, is funded by several R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and is a pioneer in the use of advanced noninvasive imaging with nanotechnology for early detection of disease. He is also an active member and longtime leader in a variety healthcare-related organizations, including the ASE. He served as ASE’s president 2018-2019, is current chair of the ASE Research Committee and is a recipient of many notable ASE awards.
MEDCAC was established to provide independent guidance and expert advice to CMS on specific clinical topics. The group is used to supplement CMS' internal expertise and allow an unbiased and current deliberation of state-of-the-art technology and science. MEDCAC reviews and evaluates medical literature, technology assessments and public testimony, and examines data on the benefits, harms and appropriateness of medical devices and services covered under Medicare. The MEDCAC judges the strength of the available evidence and makes recommendations to CMS based on that evidence.
The committee includes up to 100 experts in clinical and administrative medicine, public health administration, patient advocacy, healthcare data and information management and analysis, healthcare economics and medical ethics.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com