Given Imaging's PillCam SB Designated as a First Line Diagnostic Tool Under Revised South Carolina Medicare Policy
Wednesday April 12, 9:38 am ET
YOQNEAM, ISRAEL--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 12, 2006 -- Given Imaging Ltd. (NasdaqNM:GIVN - News) today announced that South Carolina Medicare, administered by Palmetto GBA with approximately 500,000 beneficiaries, updated its guidelines for capsule endoscopy of the small bowel effective April 28, 2006. Under the revised guidelines, small bowel capsule endoscopy may be reimbursed as a first line procedure to evaluate signs or symptoms that are suspected to be indicative of small bowel neoplasms and Crohn's disease. With these updated guidelines, patients will not be required to undergo any other diagnostic test or procedure prior to capsule endoscopy.
Additionally, South Carolina Medicare expanded reimbursement for the evaluation of iron deficiency anemia suspected to be due to gastrointestinal blood loss of obscure origin following an inconclusive upper and lower endoscopy.
"Today's news reflects the impact of recent clinical data showing PillCam's value as a first-line diagnostic tool to detect small bowel disorders. We are also pleased to see that the healthcare payor community is beginning to recognize the role of PillCam ESO for esophageal disease and we expect to announce additional policies throughout the year," said Nachum Shamir, president and CEO of Given Imaging |
