Patient Self Testing for Atrial Fibrillation Patients - Medicare Expands Coverage

expanding Medicare coverage of home prothrombin (INR) monitoring to include chronic atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism under the following conditions:

• The beneficiary requires chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin for a mechanical heart valve, chronic atrial fibrillation, or venous thromboembolism; and
  
  
• the beneficiary has been anticoagulated for at least three months prior to use of the home INR device; and
  
  
• the beneficiary has undergone a face-to-face educational program on anticoagulation management and demonstrated the correct use of the device prior to its use in the home; and
  
  
• the beneficiary continues to correctly use the device in the context of the management of the anticoagulation therapy following initiation of home monitoring; and
  
  
• home-testing with the device occurs no more frequently than once a week