New Pass-Through Code for Powered Bone Marrow Biopsy Procedure Gives Clinicians and Patients Additional Reimbursement for Improved Treatment Option
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vidacare Corporation announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has created a new device category for pass-through payment for Powered Bone Marrow Biopsies. Providers utilizing new powered bone marrow devices such as Vidacare’s OnControlTM Bone Marrow System (OnControl System) in outpatient hospital and ambulatory surgical centers will now be reimbursed by CMS to accommodate the use of more sophisticated technology, giving clinicians the ability to choose the best biopsy option for patients.
The OnControl System is the only power-driven technology available for bone marrow biopsies and aspirations and is the first significant advance in bone marrow biopsy technology in over 40 years. Clinical trial studies on the OnControl System have demonstrated significantly larger bone marrow biopsy samples, shorter procedure time, and decreased patient pain when compared to traditional manual procedures.
Starting October 1, 2011, outpatient care centers and ambulatory surgical centers that use powered bone marrow biopsy technology in bone marrow biopsies and aspirations will use this new CMS device category and code (C1830) for expanded reimbursement. This reimbursement is in addition to what the provider is normally paid for the biopsy procedure in these settings, and will be effective for a period of two years.
CMS issues new device categories for pass-through payment when it determines that: 1) existing device categories do not appropriately describe the new technology; 2) the new technology will substantially improve the diagnosis or treatment compared to the benefits of devices in existing categories; and 3) the cost difference is significant compared to existing devices.
“The OnControl System represents a significant advance in the technology used for hematological diagnosis. CMS’s approval of a new device category for pass-through payment is directly related to the proven clinical effectiveness of the technology, and is further substantiation that the OnControl System is innovative and beneficial for patients and clinicians,” commented Mark Mellin, Vidacare’s President and CEO.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and health insurance portability standards.
Established in 2001, Vidacare Corporation is the developer of a broad technology platform that is defining the field of intraosseous medicine. Current products include the EZ-IO® Intraosseous Infusion System, the OnControl™ Bone Marrow System and the OnControl™ Bone Access System, and applications include vascular access, emergency and disaster medicine, oncology and spinal surgery. Vidacare’s focus on enhancing clinical efficacy, patient safety and comfort, and reducing complications and their associated costs, has resulted in its devices becoming the recognized technology standard. Privately held, the company is based in San Antonio, Texas, and its products are marketed in over 50 countries worldwide. www.vidacare.com
CONTACT:
Vidacare Corporation
Lisa Owens, 210-601-6647
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Surgery Health Biotechnology Medical Devices
MEDIA:
| Logo |