CMS releases questions for ESA meeting

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released questions for a March 24 meeting that will review the available evidence for the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CMS's Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) will be asked whether there is sufficient evidence to determine whether using ESAs to maintain or raise hemoglobin or hematocrit levels affects exercise tolerance, vascular events, quality of life and survival. The panel will then be asked to consider whether ESAs improve or worsen the health outcomes.

CMS also wants the committee to provide input on what clinical trial designs would be needed to fill any identified evidence gaps for ESAs. CMS does not have a National Coverage Determination (NCD) for the use of ESAs for anemia in CKD patients. ...