CMS again passes on national pricing for long-term cardiac monitoring, dramatically reduced rates remain

The Physician Fee Schedule proposal continues the seven-month pricing saga that has hung over the cardiac wearables sub-market. Companies like iRhythm now have few options left to get substantially reduced rates increased.

By Ricky Zipp • July 14, 2021

TransMedics stock halted in Nasdaq trading ahead of FDA advisory panel meeting

The company's stock price was down more than 5% at the close of trading on Tuesday. An FDA panel on Wednesday is evaluating data concerning the safety and effectiveness of TransMedics' device for preserving donor livers.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated July 14, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

New medical devices are reshaping the medtech industry

From pulsed field ablation devices to glucose sensors and surgical robotics, new medical technologies are transforming patient care and how people manage their health.

By MedTech Dive staff

Medtech pay to doctors plunged in 2020 as COVID-19 pummeled electives, in-person services fell

Zimmer Biomet had the biggest drop, cutting general payments nearly 80% to $63 million. Other notable decreases include Stryker, J&J's DePuy Synthes and Boston Scientific.

By Ricky Zipp • July 12, 2021

Hillrom ordered to complete BardyDx transaction by Delaware court

The court found recent Medicare rate cuts for long-term cardiac wearables did not qualify as a material adverse event, siding with Bardy Diagnostics. However, the judge did not grant BardyDx compensatory damages.

By Ricky Zipp • July 12, 2021

MDUFA talks expose 'fundamentally different' views of FDA and device companies

At the latest meeting over user fees, industry remained opposed to the agency's pitch for a Total Product Life Cycle Advisory Program, which it contends would extend the scope beyond FDA's purview. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 12, 2021

Abbott's Alere settles with DOJ for $38.75M over defective coagulation test allegations

The Justice Department accused Alere of concealing the defect for years despite knowing the tests were linked to over a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries. Abbott noted the product was discontinued and never sold by the company.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated July 13, 2021

Biden order takes aim at high cost of hearing aids, calls for OTC sales

The executive order issued Friday directs HHS to consider issuing proposed rules within 120 days for allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter. 

By Samantha Liss • Updated July 12, 2021

FDA flags biocompatibility concerns linked to NuVasive's Precice devices

The agency is recommending physicians stop implanting new stainless steel devices. NuVasive voluntarily removed the products from the U.S. market in February.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 9, 2021

Quidel COVID-19 PCR recall dubbed Class I by FDA due to false negative risk

The diagnostic company said it worked with FDA to confirm "a rare potential" for false test results and that the notice alerts lab customers of label changes made two months ago with no products removed from shelves.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated July 9, 2021

EU experts challenge notified body in first opinion on clinical evidence under MDR

The independent panel wants to see an extended study with at least another four months of data on the Class III implantable xenogeneic bone graft. This is the first real-world look at the scrutiny process mandated by the new rules.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 7, 2021

FDA finalizes guidance on form, content of unique device identifiers

The final text responds to, but in some cases holds firm against, concerns raised by groups including AdvaMed about the 2016 draft and also adds a new section on standalone software.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 7, 2021

As EU-wide health technology oversight law nears passage, industry is not pleased

If passed, the legislation mandates European Union clinical assessments of certain medical devices to inform national-level pricing and reimbursement decisions.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 6, 2021

Dexcom CEO on the Type 2 population, the Super Bowl ad and pandemic momentum

Kevin Sayer called Type 2 a "tremendous market opportunity" and said direct-to-consumer advertising is worth some controversy.

By Ricky Zipp • July 6, 2021

Anticipated rule bans surprise billing, but mum on arbitration details

"We certainly have to work on this whole issue of arbitration, and the cost. There will be a need to make further clarifications on definitions," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told reporters Thursday.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • July 2, 2021

Neuromodulation and cancer devices feature in latest batch of FDA breakthrough nods

Neuroelectrics, Neuros Medical and Onward are among those that secured the regulatory privilege, which speeds the review process for unmet medical needs.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 2, 2021

Biden admin unveils new ESRD payment model in health equity push

Tweaks to the end-stage renal disease model alter scoring methodology to incentivize dialysis providers to lower disparities in home dialysis and kidney transplant rates among patients from disadvantaged communities.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • July 2, 2021

PMA apps could hit record in 2021, pressuring a pandemic-stressed FDA

Despite increased workloads from the coronavirus crisis, the agency is also on track to issue record numbers of safety warnings and letters to healthcare providers in 2021, according to a Wells Fargo analysis.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 2, 2021

COVID-19 antigen testing on par with PCR when used often: NIH-funded study

The two diagnostic methods were equally effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results could be good news for antigen test makers Abbott, Becton Dickinson and Quidel.   

By Greg Slabodkin • July 1, 2021

U.S. News hospital rankings to add back surgery, hip fracture and overuse

The publication will rank seven new procedures and conditions, as well as a new category "because a pattern of overuse or low-value care is not compatible with being a high-quality provider."

By Hailey Mensik • June 30, 2021

FDA wants to require timely updates, patches for legacy devices: cyber chief

Kevin Fu, acting director of device cybersecurity, spelled out the agency's plans to protect aging devices from hackers. There's no current statutory requirement compelling manufacturers to address the problem.

By Greg Slabodkin • June 30, 2021

Abbott gets CE mark to sell COVID-19 antigen test directly to consumers in Europe

The company's rapid Panbio diagnostic received the marking in January for asymptomatic coronavirus screening. However, the test missed half of COVID-19 cases in people without symptoms, according to a recent Irish study.  

By Greg Slabodkin • June 28, 2021

Lawmakers reintroduce diagnostic regulation bill that split the industry

The VALID Act would create a risk-based regulatory framework for in vitro diagnostics and laboratory-developed tests. ACLA, whose members include Quest and LabCorp, is reviewing the bill but has objected to earlier drafts.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 25, 2021

EU clarifies Eudamed rules for legacy and custom-made devices

The Medical Device Coordination Group has provided information on products placed on the market under frameworks other than MDR and IVDR, which the advisers said should be registered in the database.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 25, 2021

More than 1/3 of health organizations hit by ransomware last year, report finds

Of those attacked, 65% said the criminals were successful in encrypting their data, according to the report from cybersecurity company Sophos.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • June 24, 2021

Medicare lacks cyber oversight of hospitals' networked medical devices: OIG

Without proper cybersecurity controls, these devices can be compromised with the potential for patient harm, according to the HHS watchdog. OIG wants CMS to do more to address hospital vulnerabilities.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 24, 2021