Zoll Medical announced Zoll LifeVest Wearable Defibrillator is now covered by Medical Assistance(MA)

ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, announced that the ZOLL LifeVest® Wearable Defibrillator is now covered by Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota’s Medicaid program.

ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, announced that the ZOLL LifeVest® Wearable Defibrillator is now covered by Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota’s Medicaid program. MA is the largest of the state’s health care programs, providing health care coverage and prescription coverage to a monthly average of 507,000 low-income senior citizens, children and families, and people with disabilities.    

LifeVest is typically worn for two to three months by patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), either while the decision is made to implant a cardiac defibrillator (ICD) or when an ICD may not be appropriate for the patient.  This 1.8 pound device is a vest with electrodes that is connected to a “walkman-sized” defibrillator worn on a belt.  It provides constant monitoring of the patient’s heart, immediate protection, and peace of mind, as it records data to help diagnose and treat life-threatening arrhythmias.

Richard A. Packer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL siad, Having the LifeVest now approved in Minnesota is another important step in bringing this technology to more patients.  As with many other potential life-saving treatments, it takes insurance coverage to make them accessible to more people who could benefit from them.

The LifeVest is specifically approved by Medicare and other insurers for those at high risk of cardiac arrest who can’t have immediate implant surgery for an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator), including those recovering from infections.