National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Liver Transplantation for Malignancies other than Hepatocellular Carcinoma

CAG-00101N

Issue

Medicare conducted an analysis of the scientific evidence related to liver transplantation for patients with malignancies. We found sufficient evidence related to hepatocellular carcinoma to allow us to make a favorable decision. However, our search of the literature did not produce a significant volume of literature, or literature of sufficiently sound methodology, to permit our staff to make a determination regarding liver transplantation for other malignant diagnoses, such as metastatic disease, bile duct carcinoma and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

National Coverage Determinations

Benefit Category

Inpatient Hospital Services
Physicians' Services

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Internally generated request N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
05/21/2001
Expected NCA Completion Date
04/30/2002
Public Comment Period
06/20/2001 - 07/20/2001
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
Decision Memo Released
04/30/2002

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Jackie Sheridan-Moore
Lead Medical Officers
Madeline Ulrich, M.D.

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

May 21, 2001

HCFA does not possess sufficient internal expertise to fully and fairly review liver transplantation for malignancies other than hepatocellular carcinoma. We have sent a Technology Assessment Request to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to provide a review and assessment of applicable literature.

March 8, 2002

Received the complete technology assessment report on February 20, 2002. Decision memorandum due within 60 days.

March 14, 2002

April 30, 2002

Decision Memorandum posted on the Internet.