CMS issued a new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code and New Technology Ambulatory Payment Classification (NTAPC) assignment for ACES, a device designed to treat chronic pleural effusions.

The new code, C8006, covers the insertion of a pleural-peritoneal hunt with an intercostal pump chamber. It includes imaging, injection(s) of contrast with radiological supervision and interpretation. The device now has a commensurate reimbursement level to support usage of the device.

Minneapolis-based Pleural Dynamics designed the ACES (automatic continuous effusion shunt) system as the first and only fully implantable automatic effusion shunt that uses the motion of normal breathing to remove fluid from the chest. It offers continuous symptom relief without requiring an extended hospital stay, a catheter external to the chest or expensive drainage canisters.