LivaNova VNS therapy drug-resistant epilepsy receives increased CMS reimbursement — November 2025
Summary
LivaNova's VNS Therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy received increased provider reimbursement from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) in November 2025, as reported in Neurotech Notables #46. The CMS reimbursement increase improves the economics of VNS implantation for hospitals and epilepsy centers, potentially reducing the physician-side barrier that contributes to VNS's historically low 3-9% penetration of addressable epilepsy patients. Combined with LivaNova's ongoing RECOVER trial for TRD and the new aura6000 PMA for OSA, the reimbursement increase positions LivaNova with multiple positive commercial developments entering 2026.
Why it matters
CMS reimbursement increases for established VNS epilepsy therapy directly address the access barrier identified by Protocol Labs' BCI Roadmap: established therapies like DBS and VNS achieve only 3-9% of addressable patients due to physician workflow barriers and economic disincentives. A CMS reimbursement increase changes the economics of VNS for the 100,000+ US epilepsy patients who could benefit but have not been offered or accepted it.
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