As America ages, Medicare must evolve to meet the needs of a growing population living longer with complex health conditions. Aortic stenosis — a serious, age-related heart disease — can be fatal if left untreated, yet current Medicare policy limits access to the life-saving, minimally invasive procedure known as TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) until symptoms appear.

GCOA’s messaging document, “Modernizing Medicare Coverage: It’s Time to Expand Access to TAVR for Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis,” outlines why, based on a substantial and growing body of evidence, expanding TAVR access for asymptomatic patients is both clinically sound and economically strategic. The accompanying infographic distills the key data showing earlier intervention saves lives and lowers costs, while the messaging deck offers a visual overview to support education and advocacy efforts.

Together, these materials call for a simple but powerful change: updating Medicare coverage to reflect the current body of evidence and ensure older adults receive the right treatment at the right time.