Ann: Medicare Coverage Determination Still Under Review, page-4

There is a slight glimmer of hope here. To take a positive look at this announcement it is a relief that Novitas is holding off on making a final decision. In fact you could say the the fact that they have not carried on with their original intention is a step in the right direction. It does not guarantee Novitas making the decision we all want. In my opinion it just adjusts the scales somewhat. It means that the evidence or support for PEB's tests is giving Novitas cause to stop and reflect more carefully about its final decision. It is, after all, a fairly critical decision.

The role of the CMS in this process could be critical. The CMS has a moderating role on the decisions by Novitas as I understand it. That is how they were brought into this situation.

I am heartened by this development but I am also cautious about second guessing which way the final decision will go. I guess it is on a bit of a knife edge at the moment. The other problem is that we have no idea how long we are going to remain in this situation. We just have to wait it out.