CMS Further Improves Reimbursement for Lutonix DCB for Outpatient Use

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MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

C. R. Bard, Inc. BCR today announced that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has improved the pass-through payment for the Lutonix® drug-coated balloon (DCB) under the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system. The purpose of the reimbursement is to cover additional cost to U.S. hospitals for treating Medicare beneficiaries with the Lutonix DCB in the outpatient setting. After further review, CMS determined that costs associated with DCBs were not included in existing reimbursement for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, stenting, or atherectomy procedures. Therefore, CMS is removing the device offset charge from the calculation and will reimburse the full cost of DCBs in these procedures. This reimbursement determination is retroactive to April 1, 2015.

The Lutonix® 035 DCB—the first FDA-approved DCB— is an angioplasty balloon coated with a therapeutic dose of the drug paclitaxel, and also utilizes standard mechanical dilatation of the vessel to restore blood flow for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the femoropopliteal arteries.

Timothy M. Ring, chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "Today's announcement is great news for patients. CMS has recognized that the Lutonix® DCB meets an important patient need and has moved quickly to provide full reimbursement for this breakthrough technology in the outpatient setting."

C. R. Bard, Inc. (www.crbard.com), headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative, life-enhancing medical technologies in the fields of vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management's current expectations, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are not historical in nature and use words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "forecast", "plan", "believe", and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Many factors may cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results including product developments, sales efforts, income tax matters, the outcomes of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and other economic, business, competitive and regulatory factors. The company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information in our March 31, 2015 Form 10-Q for more detailed information about these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

C. R. Bard, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Todd W. Garner, 908-277-8065
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Media Relations:
Scott T. Lowry, 908-277-8365
Vice President and Treasurer

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Posted In: Press Releases
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