National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

CAG-00067N

Issue

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a diagnostic test used to measure blood pressure when isolated clinical blood pressure measurements are suspected to be inaccurate. These suspected inaccuracies in blood pressure measurement generally only occur in defined populations. ABPM is conducted under the supervision of a physician and does not entail patient intervention; it is not considered a self-monitoring device. HCFA must evaluate whether current literature supports the clinical use of ABPM and whether or not ABPM is a "reasonable and necessary" for the Medicare population.

Benefit Category

Diagnostic Tests (other)

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Spacelabs Medical Incorporated N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
06/22/2000
Expected NCA Completion Date
10/17/2001
Public Comment Period
07/24/2000 - 08/24/2000
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
10/17/2001

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Poppy S. Kendall
Lead Medical Officers
John Whyte, MD, MPH
Michael Londner, MD

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

June 22, 2000

Request letter received by Coverage and Analysis

July 20, 2000

Referred to Center for Health Plans and Providers (CHPP) for final benefit category determination

August 2, 2000

Benefit category confirmed by CHPP

October 25, 2000

Referred to MCAC. Panel and date will be specified soon.

January 8, 2001

Referred to MCAC Medical Devices and Prostetics Panel scheduled to meet on February 21, 2001.

February 21, 2001

MCAC Medical Devices and Prosthetics Panel met to discuss the topic of ABPM.

June 14, 2001

MCAC Executive Committee  met and ratified the recommendations of the Medical Devices and Prosthetics Panel.

July 23, 2001

CMS received the official minutes from the MCAC Executive Committee, signed by the Chairman.

September 24, 2001

Additional time is needed to complete internal CMS review of the draft decision memorandum. The due date will therefore be extended to October 5, 2001.

October 10, 2001

Additional time is needed to complete internal CMS review of the draft decision memorandum. The due date will therefore be extended to October 19, 2001.

October 17, 2001

Decision Memorandum posted which announces CMS's intent to issue an NCD for ABPM for patients with white coat hypertension.