STAT+: CMS proposes rolling back breakthrough device payment flexibilities

Summary: Medicare is thinking about changing how it pays for new, expensive medical gadgets. Usually, to get extra money from Medicare, a new device has to prove three things: it is new, it works better than older options, and it costs a lot. But since 2021, devices labeled as "breakthroughs" got a really sweet deal. They only had to prove they were expensive to get the extra cash! Now, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to undo that special rule. If the rule changes, these pricey new devices will have to prove they actually help patients better than the old tools do.

For more details, see statnews at statnews.com/2026/04/15/cms-proposes-rolling-back-breakthrough-device-payment/?utm_campaign=rss (opens in new tab)