Paradigm Spine, LLC Announces - Highmark, Inc. Is 1st Private Payor To Issue Exclusive Positive Coverage Policy For coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization® Treatment Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
-- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Affects 1.6 million U.S. Patients Annually
-- Medical coverage policy issued by Highmark, Inc. and affiliates operating health insurance plans for 5.0 million members in Pennsylvania (PA), West Virginia (WV), and Delaware (DE)
-- Exclusive coverage policy specifically for coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization®
-- coflex® is a non-fusion, motion-preserving implant for treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
-- Highmark, Inc. and its health insurance subsidiaries and affiliates collectively are among the 10 largest health insurers in the U.S. and comprise the 4th largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated organization
-- This Highmark policy is in addition to the already 5.5 million lives covered by Medicare, Medicaid & Affordable Care Act marketplace throughout the states of PA, WV and DE
-- Total coverage for coflex® now at 10.5 million lives throughout PA, WV and DE
Nov 20, 2017, 09:23 ET
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Paradigm Spine, LLC, a leader in providing solutions for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis announces issuance of a Highmark, Inc. Medical Policy, entitled "Interspinous and Interlaminar Stabilization/Distraction Devices (Spacers)" dated November 6, 2017. The coverage policy may be found here https://www.highmarkbcbswv.com/west-virginia-commercial-medical-policy/S-191-016.html
Importantly, the Medical Policy specifically excludes any other interspinous distraction or interlaminar stabilization devices, other than the coflex® device, from coverage. Highmark, Inc. is the first commercial insurance carrier to provide exclusive coverage for the coflex® device, due to the more than 85 peer-reviewed published articles supporting the safety and effectiveness of the coflex® technology.
Lumbar spinal stenosis ("LSS"), affecting 1.6 million patients annually, is a debilitating and degenerative disease in older patients (>50 yrs) often associated with significant leg and back pain, leg numbness and weakness, causing a significant reduction in an active lifestyle. Traditional surgical treatment options for LSS includes a decompression that removes bone and soft tissue and may also require a fusion to stabilize the spine. The coflex® device is a non-fusion, motion preserving stabilization implant, that is FDA PMA approved for the treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, and can be used in conjunction with a decompression or used in lieu of a spinal fusion.
To learn more about coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization®, please visit www.coflexsolution.com.
J. Rush Fisher, MD, Chief of Spine Section, Christiana Care Health Services – "Over the last four years, I've treated 67 patients with coflex® and have been very satisfied with the outcomes. Coflex® offers stability to the spine while maintaining physiologic function to the motion segment. The coflex® procedure is often an outpatient, non-fusion procedure that allows for fast recovery, and a high quality functionally active lifestyle for my patients. I'm understandably pleased that insurance coverage will now be available to more of my patients."
Marc Viscogliosi, Chairman & CEO – "With over 85 peer-review published articles, including landmark 5 year follow-up studies, medical society guidelines, and now with commercial insurance coverage, it is wonderful to be able to expand patient access to the coflex® technology. We are particularly gratified by the recognition of Highmark to exclusively cover coflex® as the only interlaminar/interspinous device treatment option for LSS."
About Paradigm Spine, LLC
Paradigm Spine, LLC was founded in 2004 and remains focused on the design and development of solutions for the disease management of spinal stenosis. The Company's signature product is the coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization® device, which has more than 20 years of clinical history and patients treated in more than 40 countries worldwide.
SOURCE Paradigm Spine, LLC