Budget impact model leads to widespread coverage: How pVADs are cost-effective in managing high-risk heart failure patients

Our client’s need

Abiomed, a large medical device company headquartered in Massachusetts, wanted to obtain coverage for their percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) from health plans. pVAD is a minimally invasive percutaneous catheter-based device that is powered and controlled by its console and designed to provide partial circulatory support. The current standards of care are the intra-aortic balloon pump (for high-risk PCI patients) and ECMO/LVAD (for cardiogenic shock patients). Abiomed’s goal was to inform and educate the health plans regarding the improved outcomes resulting from their technology and the related financial impact.

Baker Tilly solution

Baker Tilly developed a budget impact model (BIM) to assist Abiomed in its discussions with health plans and also facilitated discussions with key health plans for Abiomed. A BIM is an interactive tool used to demonstrate the impact of new technologies on patient outcomes and the associated financial impact. BIMs can also help strengthen the value propositions for medical device companies beyond clinical studies. A BIM typically incorporates the following:

• Transparent, realistic assumptions
• Real claims data (as opposed to literature based estimates)
• Clear standard-of-care comparison
• Sensitivity to changes in penetration
• Short time horizons
• Cost and reimbursement assumptions at the procedure level

The BIM developed for Abiomed allowed for the selection of either one of the two patient diagnoses or a combined scenario, default membership counts, prevalence rates, penetration percentages and reimbursement rates with the ability to enter different values. Based on these inputs the BIM calculated per member, per month (PMPM) and total costs for each scenario.

Results

The BIM showed that the technology would reduce major adverse events, including death, along with reduced resource consumption (LOS and variable costs per episode). Specifically, the number of heart attacks and strokes are reduced, resulting in fewer re-admissions and a better patient experience which helps hospitals align with value-based reimbursement programs.

The technology is now covered by most major health plans including Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare (Medicare Advantage), HealthNet, Humana, Independence Blue Cross and HCSC. In addition, denial activity was minimized across the country (more than 90 percent of claims are now being paid). Baker Tilly has developed four peer-reviewed economic papers and posters for industry conferences based on the BIM results.

For more information on this topic, or to learn how Baker Tilly healthcare specialists can help, contact our team.