Spectrum Health Lung Transplant Program Earns CMS Recognition

The Spectrum Health lung transplant program reached another milestone recently when it received Medicare certification.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given its approval for the program to participate in Medicare. CMS contractors conducted a rigorous onsite review of the program last winter, evaluating procedures, policies, patient care and outcomes. Government certification of a transplant program indicates the attainment of high quality standards and represents a critical accomplishment for the program. In addition to allowing Spectrum Health to receive reimbursement for lung transplantation of Medicare patients, many commercial insurers require CMS approval prior to covering transplants.

“The site visit by CMS went very well and we’re pleased to receive formal certification,” said Reda Girgis, MD, medical director of Spectrum Health’s lung transplant program. “It’s a direct reflection of the commitment to excellence shared by everyone in our program. This will allow us to further expand and continue to serve the residents of West Michigan by offering this life-saving procedure to patients with a variety of advanced lung diseases”

The CMS review was requested by the transplant program last winter, after Spectrum Health’s 10th lung transplant, the minimum annual volume requirement. A total of 15 transplants have been performed at the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center since February of 2013.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 1,080 employed physicians and advanced practice providers including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a 575,000-member health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,300 employees. The organization provided $250 million in community benefit during its 2013 fiscal year.