Medicare begins to cover ultrasounds to detect aortic aneurysms

Medicare on Jan. 1 began to cover ultrasounds to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms in beneficiaries at high risk for the condition, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Medicare beneficiaries with a family history of AAAs and male beneficiaries older than age 65 who have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetimes qualify for the ultrasounds. Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for the ultrasounds must receive them within the first six months after they become eligible for the program (Moore, Charlotte Observer, 12/30/06).

Impact

Medicare coverage of ultrasounds to detect AAAs could lead to increased revenue for Medtronic and other medical device companies that market endovascular stent grafts to treat the condition, according to some analysts and vascular physicians (Snowbeck, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4). Medtronic lobbied for the Medicare coverage, a provision included in a budget reconciliation bill that President Bush signed in February 2006 (Charlotte Observer, 12/30/06). Jan Wald, an analyst at A.G. Edwards, said, "Right now, it's probably a $100 million to $150 million market" for endovascular stent grafts. "It could very easily be a $500 million to $800 million market down the road," Wald said, adding, "Given the way the world is going, endovascular procedures (such as the aneurysm repair) and peripheral procedures are getting more important for (Medtronic's) growth" (St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/4).