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EndoGastric® Solutions Announces Expanded Medicare Reimbursement for Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) ProcedureMedicare beneficiaries in 10 Midwestern and Northeastern states will soon have reimbursed access to the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) procedure following a decision by Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) National Government Services, Inc. (NGS). Effective December 1, 2017, this decision benefits the growing number of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) patients seeking a clinically proven treatment alternative with long-term symptom control. "There's a significant treatment gap between daily oral therapy and traditional anti-reflux surgery," says Anthony Starpoli, M.D., New York. "Patients struggling with severe GERD symptoms need access to safe, proven treatment options that offer lasting relief and avoid PPI dependence and risks of more invasive surgical operations. The TIF procedure fills the gap for a therapeutic alternative in treating GERD." The NGS decision will provide Part B coverage to approximately 9.3 million Medicare patients in Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. By granting Medicare coverage for the TIF procedure, NGS joins MACs Cahaba GBA, CGS Administration, Novitas and Palmetto, who already provide access to 19.4 million Medicare subscribers across an additional 15 states. With the addition of NGS, the total number of Medicare lives covered for the TIF procedure will be approximately 34.4 million nationwide, representing 62 percent of 55.5 million total Medicare beneficiaries. To date, the TIF procedure has brought relief to more than 20,000 GERD patients worldwide, providing an effective, incisionless surgical solution for the millions of Americans suffering with persistent acid reflux. "Long-term positive outcomes continue to affirm the TIF procedure as an effective treatment option for controlling chronic, troublesome GERD symptoms," says Peter Janu, M.D., Wisconsin. "Expanded coverage of TIF will open up more opportunities for patients who wish to avoid or discontinue long-term PPI use and want a less invasive procedure than traditional surgery." EndoGastric Solutions continues to work with other MACs and commercial payers to secure coverage for the TIF procedure and ensure that GERD patients nationwide have access to this innovative, incisionless technology. Physicians assessing potential TIF patients may call (860) 619-4133 to speak with a representative for information about appropriate coding, coverage and payment details. About Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) CPT codes are a listing of descriptive terms and identifying codes for reporting medical services and procedures. The purpose of CPT is to provide a uniform language tat accurately describes medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. The coding serves as an effective way to provide communication among healthcare providers, patients and third parties. CPT is registered trademark of the American Medical Association. The Federal Register posts coding and payment information specific to the CPT code, allowing patients to receive access to treatment more easily for GERD. Physicians and hospitals can reference CPT Code 43210 EGD esophagogastric fundoplasty and APC (News - Alert) 5331 Complex GI Procedures for TIF® procedures. About GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which the gastroesophageal valve (GEV) allows gastric contents to reflux (wash backwards) into the esophagus, causing heartburn and possible injury to the esophageal lining. In the U.S., GERD is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis physicians make during clinical visits. Pain and discomfort from acid reflux impact more than 80 million Americans at least once a month according to estimates. The first treatment recommendations for GERD patients is to make lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, scheduled eating times and sleeping positions). Patients are instructed to take prescription medications; unfortunately, it is a common practice to increase medication doses and, over time, become dependent on these medications to control symptoms. A variety of other health complications are linked to the long-term, maximum-dose usage of prescription medications. About Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) procedure for reflux Performed without the need for external incisions through the skin, the TIF procedure offers patients who require an anatomical repair an effective treatment option to correct the underlying cause of GERD. Most patients stopped using daily medications to control symptoms and had their esophageal inflammation (esophagitis) eliminated up to three years after the TIF procedure based on studies. There are more than 20,000 TIF patients treated worldwide since the EsophyX® device launched. In the past ten years, over 60 centers published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers. These studies document consistent outcomes on over 1,300 unique study patients. For more information, visit https://www.gerdhelp.com/. About EsophyX® technology The EsophyX technology is used to reconstruct the gastroesophageal valve (GEV) and restore its function as a barrier, preventing stomach acids refluxing back into the esophagus. The device is inserted through the patient's mouth with direct visual guidance from an endoscope. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the original EsophyX device in 2007. EndoGastric Solutions® launched the third generation EsophyX device, the EsophyX Z model, in 2015. The evolving EsophyX technology now enables surgeons and gastroenterologists to use a wider selection of endoscopes to treat the underlying anatomical cause of GERD. These options include low profile and larger high-definition models. About EndoGastric Solutions® Based in Redmond, WA, EndoGastric Solutions, Inc. (www.endogastricsolutions.com), is a medical device company developing and commercializing innovative, evidence-based, incisionless surgical technology for the treatment of GERD. EGS has combined the most advanced concepts in gastroenterology and surgery to develop the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) 2.0 procedure-a minimally invasive solution that addresses a significant unmet clinical need. Join the conversation on Twitter: @GERDHelp Facebook: GERDHelp and Google+: GERDHelp.
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