ASTCT submitted comments on the CMS National Coverage Analysis for Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy last week. The public comment period has closed, and we expect the final coverage determination to be released no later than May 17. To read the comments, click
here.ASTCT expressed concern that the coverage policy as proposed would limit patient access and recommended that the agency finalize a coverage policy that leverages existing registry reporting rather than coverage with evidence development (CED). Our comments suggested ways to revise the policy to protect patient access to approved CARs and those likely to be approved in the next five years, as well as raised a series of questions that the agency must address prior to the policy's implementation.
ASTCT will continue to work with CMS on coverage and reimbursement issues to protect appropriate patient access to CAR-T therapy.