Debra L. Patterson, MD, Vice President, Clinical Affairs
and Chief Medical Officer
Novitas Solutions, Inc.
ATTN: Medical Policy Unit
2020 Technology Parkway, Suite 100
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Submitted electronically via LCDComments@novitas-solutions.com
SUBJECT: Support for Coverage for Magnetic Resonance Image Guided High Intensity
Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) for Essential Tremor (ET) DL 38495
Dear Dr. Patterson:
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological
Surgeons (CNS) and the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (ASSFN), we
appreciate the opportunity to express our support for the recent draft local coverage determination (LCD)
DL38495 posted by Novitas for Magnetic Resonance Image Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound
(MRgFUS) for Essential Tremor (ET).
We are pleased that Novitas proposes to cover MRgFUS for ET. As you may recall from our previous
conference call and letters, we strongly support coverage for this important procedure. We appreciate
your time and consideration over the last year and the specific mention of the ASSFN’s thorough review
of published literature on MRgFUS for ET and guidance on the optimal expertise for the treating
neurosurgeon.
Below are some specific comments on the indications and limitations. With the exception of the items
mentioned, we feel the policy is reasonable
Read full letter here
