Anthem, Nation’s Second Largest Health Plan, Now Covers Hologic’s Acessa Procedure as a Treatment for Uterine Fibroids
August 23 2021 - 8:05AM
Business Wire
Coverage Further Validates Laparoscopic
Radiofrequency Ablation for Women with Uterine Fibroids
Hologic, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOLX), a global leader in women’s health,
announced today that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, the second
largest health plan in the United States, has updated its medical
policy to cover Radiofrequency Ablation (LAP-RFA), which includes
the Acessa® procedure (CPT Code 58674), for women suffering from
uterine fibroids. The updated policy creates access to
uterine-preserving care for Anthem’s approximately 40 million
members in all 50 states, providing a safe and effective
alternative for millions of women who otherwise might have to
resort to unwanted hysterectomies.
Anthem’s updated medical policy says the use of laparoscopic or
transcervical radiofrequency ablation as a treatment for
symptomatic uterine fibroids (e.g. excessive uterine bleeding or
pelvic discomfort caused by uterine fibroids) is considered
medically necessary when uterine preservation is desired, fibroids
are less than 10 cm in any diameter and uterine size does not
exceed 16 weeks gestation.1
“Women’s health issues remain chronically underserved and this
has never been more apparent than with the millions of women living
with uterine fibroids,” said Essex Mitchell, Division President GYN
Surgical Solutions, Hologic. “Anthem’s decision will create
significantly greater access to options that align with the strong
preferences many women and their physicians have for safe and
effective treatment that enables both symptom relief and uterine
preservation.”
An estimated 11 million women in the United States are currently
diagnosed with uterine fibroids, with an additional 3.7 million
undiagnosed women self-identified as having symptoms suggestive of
uterine fibroids.2 Up to 80% of women are diagnosed with uterine
fibroids by the age of 50.3 Women with symptomatic uterine fibroids
often fear losing their uterus because of hysterectomy but are
either not offered or able to afford non-reimbursed alternative
treatment options. This leaves too many women heavily burdened by
their fibroid symptoms, leading to a reduced quality of life.4
Black women are disproportionately affected by fibroids, making
access to fibroid treatment a key focus in the effort to address
racial disparities in healthcare.
“I have personally treated dozens of women who wanted this
treatment but had to choose another option because it was not
covered by their insurance,” said Dr. Soyini Hawkins, a minimally
invasive gynecologist who founded and leads the Fibroid and Pelvic
Center of Georgia. “Anthem’s decision is fantastic and will not
only improve the health outcomes for women but also enable their
preferences to be honored.”
The Acessa procedure is a minimally invasive, outpatient
treatment designed to treat women with symptomatic uterine fibroids
and is clinically proven with long-term data as a safe alternative
to hysterectomy and myomectomy.5,6 Women experience minimal
discomfort after the procedure and typically return to work in four
to five days.5 For more information about the benefits and risks of
the Acessa procedure, visit www.gynsurgicalsolutions.com
About Hologic
Hologic, Inc. is an innovative medical technology company
primarily focused on improving women's health and well-being
through early detection and treatment. For more information on
Hologic, visit www.hologic.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking information that
involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the
use of Hologic’s Acessa product. There can be no assurance this
product will achieve the benefits described herein or that such
benefits will be replicated in any particular manner with respect
to an individual patient. The actual effect of the use of the
product can only be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on
the particular circumstances and patient in question. In addition,
there can be no assurance that this product will be commercially
successful or achieve any expected level of sales. Hologic
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements presented
herein to reflect any change in expectations or any change in
events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements
are based.
Hologic, Acessa, and The Science of Sure are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in
the United States and/or other countries.
Sources
- SURG.00077. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield: Health Insurance,
Medicare & More. (2021, August 19).
https://www.anthem.com/dam/medpolicies/abcbs/active/policies/mp_pw_a053391.html.
- Marsh EE, Al-Hendy A, Kappus D, Galitsky A, Stewart EA,
Kerolous M. Burden, Prevalence, and Treatment of Uterine Fibroids:
A Survey of U.S. Women. J Womens Health.
2018;27(11):1359-1367.
- Coyne KS, Harrington A, Currie BM, Chen J, Gillard P, Spies JB.
Psychometric validation of the 1-month recall Uterine Fibroid
Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire (UFS-QOL).
J Patient-Rep Outcomes. 2019;3(1):57.
- Giuliani E, As‐Sanie S, Marsh EE. Epidemiology and management
of uterine fibroids. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2020;149(1):3-9.
- SG Chudnoff, et al. Outpatient Procedure for the Treatment and
Relief of Symptomatic Uterine Myomas. Obstetrics and Gynecology,
2013;121(5):1075–82.
- Yelena Havryliuk, MD, Robert Setton, MD, John Carlow, EdD, MPH,
Barry D. Shaktman, MD, Management of symptomatic fibroids: review
and meta-analysis of the literature (2006 -2016), Journal of the
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Vol. 21 (3) Jul-Sept
2017
Notes and Disclaimers
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION The Acessa ProVu system is
indicated for use in percutaneous, laparoscopic coagulation and
ablation of soft tissue, including treatment of symptomatic uterine
fibroids under laparoscopic ultrasound guidance. The Acessa ProVu
system is contraindicated for patients who are not candidates for
laparoscopic surgery and/or patients with a uterus adherent to
pelvic tissue or viscera. The Acessa ProVu system’s guidance system
is not intended for diagnostic use. Please read all instructions
for use of the Acessa ProVu system prior to its use. Safe and
effective electrosurgery is dependent not only on equipment design
but also on factors under control of the operator. Rare but serious
risks include, but are not limited to, infection, injury to
adjacent structures, blood loss and complications related to
laparoscopy and/or general anesthesia. Insufficient data exists on
which to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Acessa ProVu
system in women who plan future pregnancy, therefore the Acessa
ProVu system is not recommended for women who are planning future
pregnancy.
SOURCE Hologic, Inc.
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Jane Mazur (508) 263-8764 (direct) (585) 355-5978 (mobile)
Jane.Mazur@hologic.com Michael Watts (858) 410-8588
Michael.Watts@hologic.com
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