Medicare program; criteria for Medicare coverage of heart transplants--HCFA. Notice of HCFA ruling.

This notice extends Medicare coverage to heart transplantations when furnished by participating facilities that meet specific criteria, including patient selection criteria. We are extending coverage to heart transplants based on the results of the National Heart Transplant Study and our subsequent determination that heart transplants are a medically reasonable and necessary service when specific criteria are met. Because the HCFA Ruling HCFAR 80-1 excluded heart transplants from coverage under that Medicare program, we are issuing this notice as a new HCFA ruling. It will rescind HCFAR 80-1 and set forth the new coverage policy for heart transplants.