Perspectives on Medicare’s Proposed iDose TR Coverage Policy

Six glaucoma specialists discuss Medicare's proposed local coverage determinations (LCDs) for iDose TR and how they could affect patient care.

By: Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., MD, Inder Paul Singh, MD, Savak “Sev” Teymoorian, MD, MBA, Manjool Shah, MD, Christine Funke, MD, Philip S. Garza, MD, MSc

Glaucoma Physician September 1, 2026 Page(s): 21-23

5 Key Takeaways

1

Medicare's proposed LCDs for iDose TR require patients to fail medical management and selective laser trabeculoplasty before implantation.
2

The proposed LCDs prohibit concurrent implantation of iDose TR with other ophthalmic surgeries, except cataract surgery.
3

Many glaucoma specialists argue that the proposed LCDs do not align with contemporary glaucoma practices or the role of sustained drug delivery.
4

Physicians express concern that the proposed policies restrict patient access and do not consider individual treatment needs.
5

Experts emphasize the importance of following FDA recommendations for procedural pharmaceuticals to ensure evidence-based care.

Inder Paul Singh, MD

Specialties: Glaucoma

Bio: Inder Paul Singh, MD, is an ophthalmology author whose work in the provided source focuses on glaucoma care and selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). He coauthored a Glaucoma Physician article discussing SLT as an intraocular pressure-lowering therapy across patient populations, including eyes after laser peripheral iridotomy and patients with primary angle-closure or primary open-angle glaucoma.

Perspectives on Medicare’s Proposed iDose TR Coverage Policy

5 Key Takeaways

1

2

3

4

5

Recommendations