San Jose, Calif.-based SI-BONE reported the National Government Services, the Medicare Administrative Contractor for Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, issued a positive local coverage determination for MIS SI joint fusion, effective April 1, 2016.
Here are five points:
1. The positive coverage is a result of the two dozen SI-BONE clinical publications that exhibited the safety and efficacy of iFuse.
2. In addition, the North American Spine Society and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery recommended coverage.
3. The iFUSE is the only MIS SI joint fusion device that the FDA cleared that has demonstrated improved pain, patient function and quality of life 12 months post-implantation.
4. The total number of Medicare beneficiaries with access to iFuse is now more than 45 million in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
5. "The decision by NGS is a positive step forward for Medicare beneficiaries in the NGS service area who will soon have access to the iFuse procedure and it is gratifying to know that Medicare recipients in all but one state will soon have coverage," said Michael Mydra, vice president of health outcomes and reimbursement, SI-BONE.
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