Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decided to conduct a National Coverage Assessment of Provenge in order to set a standardized policy about payment.

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There is a fear that by taking the unusual step of making a National Coverage Assessment (NCA) of Provenge, Medicare is looking to avoid paying for Provenge at all.

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Forbes spoke with Louis Jacques, the director of the Coverage and Analysis Group at the Medicare center, to learn more about the process, called a National Coverage Assessment, and the decision that will result after a period of public comment and the accrual of scientific data, called a National Coverage Determination.

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Large employers (more than 50 full-time workers or the equivalent) must pay an assessment if they don't offer employees certain minimum coverage at an affordable rate.

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