Patients will no longer be required to undergo an upper endoscopy before using its PillCam SB.
Given Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIVN; TASE: GIVN) reported today that National Heritage Insurance Company (NHIC), California's Medicare Part B carrier, has revised its existing coverage policy for small bowel capsule endoscopy so that patients will no longer be required to undergo an upper endoscopy prior to PillCam SB.
NHIC serves approximately three million Medicare beneficiaries in California.
NIHC's revised policy states that PillCam SB is now considered an appropriate diagnostic following a negative colonoscopy to evaluate patients with suspected, but undiagnosed Crohn's disease. Further policy revisions include the use of PillCam SB in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. These amendments now coincide with policy changes made in 2006 by NHIC of New England.
Given Imaging develops, produces and markets a line of PillCam video capsules for detecting gastrointestinal disorders.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on May 16, 2007
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