Technology Assessments
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The technology assessment program at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides technology assessments for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These technology assessments are used by CMS to inform its national coverage decisions for the Medicare program as well as provide information to Medicare carriers.
AHRQ's technology assessment program uses state-of-the-art methodologies for assessing the clinical utility of medical interventions. Technology assessments are based on a systematic review of the literature, along with appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods of synthesizing data from multiple studies.
Technology assessments may be done in-house by AHRQ staff, or they may be done in collaboration with one of our Evidence-based Practice Centers. When available, technology assessment topics are linked to corresponding information on the CMS Web site. For additional information, please contact the technology assessment program at AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov.
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Technology Assessments Completed
2009
Cost-Effectiveness of CT Colonography to Screen for Colorectal Cancer—New!
Reviews of Selected Pharmacogenetic Tests for Non-Cancer and Cancer Conditions
2008
Evaluation of the Evidence on Benefits and Harms of Pulmonary Artery Catheter Use in Critical Care Settings
Home Testing in Management of Chronic Diseases
Horizon Scan of Invasive Interventions for Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease and Systematic Review of Studies Comparing Stent Placement to Other Interventions
Horizon Scan: Lipoprotein Subfractions for Identifying Patients at Increased Risks for Cardiovascular Diseases
Methodological Issues in Evaluation of Innovative Training Approaches to Stroke Rehabilitation
Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Post-Discharge Care in Heart Failure
Positron Emission Tomography for Nine Cancers (Bladder, Brain, Cervical, Kidney, Ovarian, Pancreatic, Prostate, Small Cell Lung, Testicular)
2007
Applicability of the Evidence Regarding Intensive Glycemic Control and Self-Monitored Blood Glucose to Medicare Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Compendia for Coverage of Off-Label Uses of Drugs and Biologics in an Anticancer Chemotherapeutic Regimen
Cost-Effectiveness of DNA Stool Testing to Screen for Colorectal Cancer
Decompression Therapy for the Treatment of Lumbosacral Pain
Esophageal Doppler Ultrasound-based Cardiac Output Monitoring for Real-Time Therapeutic Management of Hospitalized Patients
Genetic Tests for Non-Cancer Diseases/Conditions: A Horizon Scan
Home Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
Obstructive Sleep Apnea—Hypopnea Syndrome: Modeling Different Diagnostic Strategies
Remote Cardiac Monitoring
2006
Horizon Scan on Hip Replacement Surgery
A Horizon Scan: Uses of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Horizon Scan on the Use of Genetic Testing in Cancer
Non-invasive Imaging for Coronary Artery Disease
Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD and Other Lung Diseases
Quality of Life in Macular Degeneration
Telemedicine for the Medicare Population: Update
2005
Cardiac Catheterization in Freestanding Clinics
Design of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Registry*
Health and Behavior Assessment/Intervention for the Management of Physical Health Problems—Cancer Pain*
Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Vertebral Fractures Caused by Osteoporosis and Malignancy and Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Vertebral Fractures Caused by Osteoporosis and Malignancy
Point of Care Testing of Hemoglobin A1C
Randomized Trials of Secondary Prevention Programs in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review
Relative Efficacy of Oral Cancer Therapy for Medicare Beneficiaries Versus Currently Covered Therapy
Part 1. Gefitinib and Erlotinib for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Part 2. Imatinib for
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)
Part 3. Imatinib for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
Part 4. Thalidomide for Multiple Myeloma
The Role of Bone Growth Stimulating Devices and Orthobiologics in Healing Nonunion Fractures
Usual Care in the Management of Chronic Wounds
2004
Behavioral Therapies for Treatment of Medical Disorders: Part 1—Impact on Management of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Diagnosis and Treatment of Vulnerable Plaques
Effectiveness of Portable Monitoring Devices for Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Horizon Scan of Procedural Interventions for the Treatment of Spine Conditions*
Long Term Oxygen Therapy
Patient Assessment for Wheelchairs*
Percutaneous Myocardial Revascularization/Transmyocardial Revascularization
Positron Emission Tomography (FDG) for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Update
Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Vision Rehabilitation Services (PDF file; PDF Help)
*Not available electronically. Contact AHRQTAP@ahrq.hhs.gov for report availability.
**Report is completed, but in the process of being prepared for posting. Please check back for updates.
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Technology Assessments in Progress
Projects in final production phase (post-review)
Horizon Scan: To What Extent Do Changes In Third-Party Payment Affect Clinical Trials And The Evidence Base?
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Devices
Spinal Fusion for the Treatment of Low Back Pain Secondary to Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease (Draft)
A Systematic Review of Topographic Genotyping with PathfinderTG®
Projects in early-mid production phase (pre-review)
ECG-based Signal Analysis Technologies
Lymphedema
Quality, Regulation and Clinical Utility of Laboratory-developed Tests
Targeted Therapies for Cancer
Update of Horizon Scan Reports of Genetic Tests Currently Available for Clinical Use
Use of Bayesian Techniques in Randomized Clinical Trials: A CMS Case Study
Technology Assessment Archive
Technology Assessments for 1990-2003
These technology assessments were completed at least 4 years ago, and some as many as 12 years ago. These assessments may be outdated due to more recent research findings not included in the assessments and should be viewed cautiously in current medical practice. They are maintained for archival purposes only.
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