Sens. Warren, Grassley Call for Device Identifiers on Claims Forms

Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are urging that medical device identifier information be added to Medicare claims in order to better track faulty devices. The senators’ concern arises from a HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report earlier this week that was critical of Medicare costs associated with replacing seven recalled and prematurely failed medical devices. The report also called for device identifiers to be included on the next version of claim forms.

“We have repeatedly urged CMS and the Accredited Standards Committee X12 to take this step,” the lawmakers said in a release. “As the OIG's analysis shows, poorly performing medical devices can cost taxpayers billions of additional dollars to cover the cost of replacing faulty devices and leave seniors and people with disabilities on the hook for extra out-of-pocket costs.”