TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION

To facilitate the development, awareness and utilization of potentially innovative medical technology, Novation welcomes proposals from vendors who would like to make their products available through Novation contracts.

The intent of the new medical technology evaluation process is to identify devices or products that are used to diagnose or treat patients and that offer incremental benefit to patient care, patient safety or health care worker safety.

All such proposals will be evaluated using the same process. Our technology evaluation process is designed to:

• be open and fair
• protect confidentiality
• not be unduly burdensome
• consider potentially innovative technology outside of the applicable contracting cycle
• incorporate input from VHA and UHC members and, where appropriate, outside experts
• address vendor grievances related to the evaluation of technology

• copy of the original 510(K), PMA or NDC approval letter, summary and statement
• copy of the product patent
• peer reviewed research
• detailed explanation of the innovative features
• reference list of current users of the technology

When evaluating new medical technology proposals, we will consider factors such as whether the product is used to diagnose or treat patients, member interest in and demand for the technology, and advantages and disadvantages when compared with similar products. When appropriate, members with expertise specific to the proposed new technology and third-party sources will provide input into the assessment.

Contracting decisions will be based on review of submitted documentation and recommendations of appropriate member councils.

Vendors may submit information about their potentially innovative technology to Novation via the online submission form. Vendors also may identify such technology during the regular bid process.

VHA and UHC members may submit comments and suggestions.

Products on the Horizon

Novation also actively monitors and evaluates the development pipeline to identify potentially innovative products and devices.

Information is obtained from multiple sources, including market research, members, vendors, product managers, biomedical journals, third-party technology assessment firms, professional societies and industry publications.

Whenever possible, Novation will seek to add such products to its portfolio as they become available for use in the United States.

Novation provides this information about health care technology only as a service to VHA and UHC members, product vendors and other interested parties. The posting of such information on this Web site does not constitute any endorsement of the products described here. Individual health care organizations must determine whether these products are appropriate for use in their facilities.