The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has started an analysis for a national coverage determination (NCD) for its coverage of leadless cardiac pacemakers. This decision is likely to prove key not only for its patients, but for coverage of the device category by U.S. private insurers as well. This opens a 30-day comment period to the agency. It notes that leadless pacemakers eliminate the need for a subcutaneous pocket to insert the pacemaker, as well as the insertion of pacing leads--both of which are sources of potential complications--while providing similar benefits. Medtronic ($MDT) nabbed the first FDA approval for a leadless pacemaker in early April. More