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| AngioDynamics Announces Reimbursement Codes and Rates for its VenaCure™ Laser Therapy | |||||||
New Codes will Simplify Billing and Payment and Promote Acceptance of the Procedure
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| QUEENSBURY, N.Y. (November 5, 2004)
— AngioDynamics, Inc., (Nasdaq: ANGO) today announced that the Center
for Medicare Services (CMS) has established new procedural codes and reimbursement
rates for its VenaCure endovenous laser ablation therapy for varicose veins.
The codes and payment rates are contained in The Medicare Program Final
Rule for the Calendar Year 2005 announced on November 3rd and will become
effective on January 1, 2005.
The new codes, established by the American Medical Association, are 36478
for endovenous laser ablation therapy of incompetent vein, first vein
treated, and 36479, endovenous laser ablation therapy of incompetent vein,
second and subsequent veins treated in a single extremity. The physician
payment for first vein treated is an average of approximately $2,011 when
performed in the office setting. Actual payments will be adjusted for
geographic cost differences. “We have anticipated and worked toward this moment for a long time,” stated Brian Kunst, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance for AngioDynamics. “The establishment of dedicated procedural codes and reimbursement rates for our endovenous laser procedure removes the primary obstacle to commercial acceptance of this innovative therapy. Difficulties encountered by physicians and hospitals in billing and obtaining adequate reimbursement will be eliminated as the new codes and reimbursement rates are incorporated into the payment systems of Medicare carriers and private insurers. Difficulties encountered by insurance companies in processing claims that lacked a dedicated code, and the resulting inconsistencies in reimbursement payment, will also be eliminated, allowing our customers to receive predictable and consistent payment. It is expected that the creation of these codes will also act as a catalyst in achieving additional positive coverage decisions by more insurance companies, allowing more people to take advantage of this less invasive and less costly alternative to traditional vein stripping.”
Commenting on the announcement, Eamonn Hobbs, President and Chief Executive Officer of AngioDynamics, said, “AngioDynamics commends all the professional organizations and affiliations that worked together to accomplish this important goal. It represents a turning point in establishing the economic feasibility of VenaCure laser therapy and will assure continued growth of this market and delivery of the best available treatment to more patients throughout the nation.” For additional information on the VenaCure laser vein treatment, contact David Doster at 1-800-772-6446, ext. 126, Email: DDoster@angiodynamics.com. You may also visit either the laser treatment web site at www.venacure.com or the AngioDynamics web site at www.angiodynamics.com. About AngioDynamics PRS 04 011 Rev. 01 # # # |
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