Medical device industry giant Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) won insurance reimbursement codes for its latest star device, the Alair bronchial thermoplasty system for asthma treatment.
The Alair system delivers precise thermal energy to lung tissue via bronchoscope to reduce excessively smooth muscle, decreasing the airways’ ability to constrict.
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, hospitals and physicians using the Alair device will have 2 new codes through which they can seek reimbursement from private or public insurers, according to a press release.
The decision was made based on recent clinical findings touting the benefits of Alair, which provides relief for patients with persistent asthma.
"Several recent peer reviewed publications have indicated the safety and efficacy of bronchial thermoplasty in well-defined patient populations," Dr. Monica Kraft, president of the American Thoracic Society, which lobbied heavily in favor of reimbursement for Alair, said in prepared remarks.
"We expect the Category I CPT codes will expand patient access to this new asthma therapy."
The Alair system already has CE Mark approval in the European Union and FDA approval for the U.S. (since March). Earlier this year incoming Boston Scientific CEO Michael Mahoney predicted that the worldwide market for bronchial thermoplasty will hit $1 billion by 2020.
The procedure won reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at the start of this year.
