INSIGHTEC Announces Continued Success in Securing Positive Coverage Policies Within the Blue Cross Blue Shield Family of Companies for MRgFUS Treatments of Pain Palliation for Bone Metastases

News provided by

Dec 22, 2015, 08:02 ET

HAIFA, Israel, December 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

INSIGHTEC announced today additional independent Blue Cross Blue Shield licensees have published updated favorable coverage policies regarding INSIGHTEC's Exablate MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided Focused Ultrasound) procedure which provides pain palliation benefits for bone metastases patients. The most recent includes BCBS Louisiana, Florida Blue, Independence BCBS, Highmark BCBS and Blue Shield of California. The Exablate treatment is FDA-approved for patients suffering from pain associated with bone metastases (for the full FDA clearance please refer to the FDA website). These recent positive decisions allow additional coverage for over 14.4 million members collectively, bringing the total number of covered lives to 56.3 million members across 28 states.

These positive coverage decisions in favor of MRgFUS treatments for painful bone metastases follow earlier affirmative changes in policies made by BCBS Mississippi, Wellmark BCBS, BC Idaho, BCBS Arizona, BCBS Massachusetts , BCBS New Jersey, BCBS North Carolina and Health Care Service Corporation - the second largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercial insurer in the United States.

"Decisions from leading insurers to cover INSIGHTEC's treatment are a welcome recognition of the demonstrated clinical benefits for INSIGHTEC's completely non-invasive treatment for patients suffering from pain related to their bone metastases," said Kobi Vortman, PhD, CEO of INSIGHTEC. "By formalizing favorable coverage policies, BCBS plans are providing a viable treatment option for many more patients and physicians," he emphasized.

"We are very happy that our work continues to yield favorable decisions which will enable patients suffering from metastatic bone pain access to a non-invasive treatment that quickly reduces pain, allows return to normal activities within days and is available in leading medical centers across the U.S.," said Dee Kolanek, VP of Reimbursement at INSIGHTEC. "We are continuously conducting independent, post-market studies in efforts to build support for additional coverage by insurers," she added.

Notes to Editor

About INSIGHTEC

INSIGHTEC is a world leader in MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS). The company, founded in 1999, has developed a completely non-invasive therapy platform that transforms medicine in an expanding number of neurosurgery, oncology and gynecology indications. MRgFUS is already adopted and used by world recognized physicians in more than 120 leading medical facilities around the world, who see the tremendous clinical and economical value of the INSIGHTEC therapy platform.

The company has received numerous awards for innovation from well-respected organizations including the Wall Street Journal, the European Union and TIME Magazine. The company is privately held by GE Healthcare, Elbit Imaging, York Capital Management, GEOC Hengtong Investment Limited Partnership and MediTech Advisors. For more information please visit: http://www.INSIGHTEC.com

Media Contact
Xen Mendelsohn Aderka
VP of Marketing
INSIGHTEC
Xenm[at]insightec[dot]com
+972-4-8131309

SOURCE INSIGHTEC