STAT+: Should Medicare automatically pay for medical devices that the FDA deems ‘breakthrough’?

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Source: STAT News

Original: https://www.statnews.com/2026/01/14/medicare-automatic-coverage-medical-devices-...

Published: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:30:00 +0000

Congress is considering automatic Medicare coverage for medical devices the FDA calls "groundbreaking." These devices receive a "breakthrough" designation from the FDA for their innovativeness. Questions are about the cost of such aids. The benefits to patients of their use are also discussed. Medicare should automatically pay for these devices after FDA approval. The topic comes up in connection with Congressional funding decisions.