NeoPath Learns of Policy Decision From the California Department of Health Services to Reimburse for AutoPap Primary Pap Smear Screening
California State Medi-Cal Program Provides Health Benefits for 5 Million Residents
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REDMOND, Wash--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 1999-- NeoPath, Inc. (Nasdaq:NPTH - news) today announced that California's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, will offer reimbursement for the AutoPap® Primary Pap Smear Screening System as a new Medi-Cal benefit.
Medi-Cal's computerized claim-processing system will be able to accept claims for AutoPap primary screening of Pap smears effective June 28, 1999, and it is anticipated that reimbursement coverage will be retroactive. California's Medi-Cal program is one of the largest Medicaid programs in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million residents of that State.
''The decision by the California Department of Health Services to reimburse the AutoPap System is an affirmation of AutoPap's superior cost-effectiveness in early detection of cervical cancer,'' said Ronald R. Bromfield, president and CEO of NeoPath, ''and we believe California may lead other state Medicaid programs to reimburse for AutoPap. NeoPath's proprietary technology applied to the evaluation of Pap smear slides in the AutoPap Primary Screening System not only helps save women's lives, but also improves operational efficiencies in the fight against cervical cancer.''
The AutoPap System, developed by NeoPath, utilizes proprietary visual intelligence technology to identify Pap smears that have the highest likelihood of abnormality. In May 1998, the AutoPap System was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first fully automated device for initial screening of Pap smear slides. The results of NeoPath's clinical study demonstrate that the AutoPap Primary Screening System is significantly better than current practice in the early detection of cervical cancer and its precursor conditions. |
