SCAI Recommends That Anthem Expand Its Coverage of PFO and LAAO Procedures

In this letter, SCAI recommends that Anthem expand its coverage for transcatheter closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) procedures. We also recommend that Anthem should start covering transcatheter procedures on the left atrial appendage occlusions (LAAOs). We point out that the evidence is clear that LAAO is an appropriate procedure as an alternative to anticoagulation to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.  Furthermore, LAAO is actually expected to be more cost-effective than anticoagulation over 5 years.