Medicare Plans to Cover MRI Scans for Patients With Pacemakers

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have submitted a proposed rule that, among other changes, would reimburse radiologists for MRI exams on patients with permanent pacemakers.

The ruling expands a Feb 24 decision to cover MRI scans only if the Medicare beneficiary were particpating in a clinical trial.

CMS said it decided to reconsider its rules after receiving a letter from Medtronic Inc., the Finley, Minn.-based manufacturer of the RevoMRI SureScan Pacing System, the the first MRI-safe pacemaker to go to market. The FDA approved the device in early February.