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Changes in Medicare Insurance Coverage effective July 1, 2005

Expanded WCD coverage

Effective July 1, 2005, Medicare's expanded coverage for the LifeVest wearable defibrillator now includes protection for patients in the following situations:

  • In instances where an ICD could be prescribed but can't be used - all ICD indications are covered without demonstrating an ICD surgery contraindication.¹
  • Any ICD explantation.
  • VF and sustained VT (spontaneous or induced) if it occurs >48 hours post MI.
  • Primary prevention (EF<36% and either MI or NICM) including:
  • - NEW...immediately after MI.
    •
  • - NEW...before and immediately after CABG or PTCA.
    •
  • - NEW...listed for cardiac transplant.
    •
  • - NEW...recently diagnosed nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
    •

¹ The LifeVest System is indicated for adult patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest and are not candidates for or refuse an implantable defibrillator.
Comparison between LifeVest and ICD

Medicare has approved coverage of the LifeVest wearable defibrillator for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest with no wait restrictions for patients with an EF <36%² . (Private insurers may have broader coverage.) By comparison, for an ICD these situations are either not covered or impose a wait restriction:

Situations where LifeVest device is covered ICD restrictions

Post-MI 40 days wait
Pre-CABG/PTCA not covered
Post-CABG/PTCA 90 days wait
Nonischemic cardiomyopathy 90-270 days wait, depending on registry
NYHA Class IV heart failure not covered
Cardiac transplant waiting list not covered
Terminal disease with life expectancy <1 year not covered

² Patient must have NICM or have had an MI.

For more coverage information, contact ZOLL Lifecor's 24-hour customer support line at 1-800-543-3267.
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