The Exalt Model D single-use duodenoscope from Boston Scientific [Image courtesy of Boston Sci]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) granted a Boston Sci application for a plication for a transitional pass-through (TPT) payment category — an only months-old payment category meant to provide people with access to innovative medical technologies while needed cost data is collected.
Single-use duodenoscopes matter. The devices provide a less invasive way than traditional surgery to drain fluids from pancreatic and biliary ducts blocked by cancerous tumors, gallstones or other gastrointestinal conditions. But reprocessing the scopes has proved especially tricky — with the scopes in the past connected to deadly superbug outbreaks.
The FDA has recommended that health providers transition to duodenoscopes with disposable components — or even fully disposable scopes.
The FDA cleared the Exalt Model D late last year. The device will have a transitional pass-through code (C1748) for Medicare billing starting July 1.
