Two New York insurance plans are requiring stress testing before stenting
A landmark 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that stenting — a common cardiology procedure for addressing chest pain — provided no additional benefit when used along with a standard group of generic heart drugs.
Many in the field have taken issue with the study’s methodology, but the Wall Street Journal reports that two health insurance plans are changing their rules based on its results. They are now requiring that patients be given stress tests before stenting to find out if a clogged artery — the problem that is addressed by stenting — is the actual cause of a patient’s chest pain.
The stent study, known as the Courage (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and AGgressive drug Evaluation) trial, tracked more than 2,000 patients for five years. It found that while patients given stents had quicker pain relief, their rates for heart attacks and deaths were the same as those of patients who received only the drug treatment.
The research spurred two Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance plans in New York state to change their rules. They now require stress testing before stenting — a roughly $15,000 procedure — is authorized for reimbursement. The plans are also requiring that candidates for elective stenting try 12 weeks of drug treatment before undergoing the surgical procedure.
The chief medical officer for HealthNow New York, which operates the Blue Cross-Blue Shield plans, told the Wall Street Journal that savings from the new requirements could top $8 billion.
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Wed, Mar 24, 2010 |
Cardiac Stress Machine, Cardiology