Carotid artery stenting: anatomy of a Medicare coverage decision.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has made an important reimbursement decision regarding carotid artery stenting for patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy surgery. This article will identify the carotid coverage questions and process as a case study of the issues that the Centers and stakeholders can face regarding complex new technologies, as well as the questions for carotid artery stenting and other new technologies that the process raises for your hospital.