TIRAT CARMEL, Israel, Apr. 18, 2013 – InSightec Ltd. announced today that the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has created a new billing code for MR guided focused ultrasound treatment of pain palliation of metastatic bone lesions and has established a Medicare payment rate for hospital outpatient departments.
InSightec’s ExAblate received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for pain palliation of metastatic bone lesions in October 2012 and is the only MRgFUS system which is FDA approved for this indication. The approval was based on a two arm randomized controlled trial comparing patients undergoing ExAblate MRgFUS for palliation of painful bone metastases with patients undergoing a placebo treatment.
ExAblate combines therapeutic acoustic ultrasound waves and continuous guidance and treatment monitoring with an MRI. Physicians use the MRI to plan and guide the therapy and monitor treatment outcome. The focused ultrasound acoustic energy destroys the nerves causing the pain, resulting in rapid pain reduction.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than two-thirds of metastatic breast and prostate cancers and up to thirty percent of metastatic lung, bladder and thyroid cancers spread to the bones. Close to thirty percent of patients with bone metastases either do not respond to radiation therapy or will be unable to undergo radiation for pain relief. ExAblate provides a single session, non-invasive option which is highly effective with a low complication rates.
“We are extremely pleased with CMS’ decision to provide a code and establish payment for MR guided focused ultrasound for bone metastases,” said Dr. Kobi (Jackob) Vortman, President and Chief Executive Officer of InSightec. “This is particularly important for the many cancer patients with crippling bone pain who are no longer eligible for radiation treatment. ExAblate is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment which enables patients to more quickly reduce their pain and their reliance on narcotic pain medications. “
The new code, C9734, became effective April 1, 2013, and it was assigned to Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) group 0067 (Level III Stereotactic Radiosurgery, MRgFUS, and MEG). [I][/I]
ExAblate is the only MRgFUS system with FDA approval for pain palliation of bone metastases and for uterine fibroids. In addition, it has received European CE marking for uterine fibroids, bone metastases, benign bone tumors, adenomyosis, essential tremor, tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease and neuropathic pain. FDA approved clinical trials are ongoing for essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, and prostate cancer.
About InSightec
InSightec Ltd. is privately held by Elbit Imaging, General Electric, and MediTech Advisors. Founded in 1999 InSightec developed ExAblate to transform MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) into a clinically viable technology. ExAblate has won several awards for innovation and its potential to help mankind including The Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards and the European Union’s IST grand prize. TIME magazine recently named Focused Ultrasound as “one of 50 best inventions.” For more information about treatment centers and bone metastases please visit: http://www.us.insightec.com
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