News Item

Letter to Medicare

December 21, 2008

Medicare, in the United States, is considering implementation of a non-payment policy to Healthcare Providers for pacemaker and cardioverter defibrillator implant related infections. Such a policy change would not impact the care patients receive. 

Since infection is one of the most common complications that is discussed in our online forums, a letter and stories from a few members who have experienced infections was recently sent to Medicare. The main purpose of the letter was to applaud the non-payment policy as it should motivate Providers to seriously measure infection rates and research the causes of infection, as well as lead to better medical guidelines designed to prevent infections.

Please take a few minutes to read a PDF version of the letter and stories.