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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 CancerNew!
  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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