ACR Submits Comments About CMS RAPID Coverage Pathway

ACR^® submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) about its proposed Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) Coverage Pathway. ACR supports faster Medicare access to innovative technologies that improve patient outcomes, however the College urges CMS to maintain strong evidence standards and require meaningful clinical input.

ACR asked CMS to increase transparency, limit RAPID eligibility to devices in the Investigational Device Exemption pre-submission stage and require evidence that reflects the Medicare population. ACR also urged CMS not to give RAPID national coverage decisions automatic priority over traditional coverage requests and reconsiderations.

The letter calls on CMS to address coverage, coding and payment issues early in the process. ACR stressed that faster coverage alone will not improve patient access if physicians and facilities lack clear billing, payment and implementation guidance. These safeguards can support timely access to new technologies while protecting the evidence standards used for Medicare coverage decisions.

For more information, contact Alicia Blakey, ACR Manager of Economic Policy.