The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS) released its Proposed Decision Memo for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and it is available for download at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdraftdecisionmemo.asp?id=204.

The final memo will be published in March 2008. CMS is requesting public comments on this proposed determination pursuant to Section 1862 (1) of the Social Security Act (the Act). According to its Web site, CMS is particularly interested in comments that include new evidence not reviewed in the proposed memo.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is developing a formal response to the proposed decision memo. The AASM’s response will also be sent to members via a special Weekly Update.

Members are encouraged to submit their comments to CMS online at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/public_comment.asp?nca_id=204&basketitem.