Inspire Medical adds more LCDs

Inspire Medical Systems (NYSE:INSP) yesterday said, for the second time this week, that two local coverage determination drafts were published for coverage of its sleep apnea therapy.

Inspire Medical had two LCDs published August 26 by Medicare contractors Noridian Medicare and Palmetto GBA. Yesterday the Minneapolis-based company said Novitas Solutions and First Coast Service Options also issued LCD proposals (First Coast also cancelled its existing negative policy on Inspire therapy). Novitas and First Coast collectively represent 12 states and the District of Columbia.

The new proposals are slated to follow the same path as the Noridian and Palmetto LCDs, with a 60-day public comment period including formal review meetings, followed by the final published LCDs expected in early 2020. The four contractors combined represent 31 states in the U.S.

“These two new LCDs represent another key step in establishing consistent Medicare coverage across the U.S. for Inspire therapy,” president & CEO Tim Herbert said in prepared remarks. “Importantly, the reversal of the First Coast negative policy now provides access to Inspire therapy to Medicare patients in Florida.”

Inspire Medical’s sleep apnea therapy uses hypoglossal nerve stimulation to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The company said it believes three further LCD drafts for the technology will come from CGS Medicare, NGS Medicare and Wisconsin Physicians Service Government Health Administrators in the near future.

Previously, Inspire Medical won reimbursement from UnitedHealth in July.