Medical Mutual of Ohio will pay for the PillCam small bowel and esophagus capsules.
Given Imaging Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIVN; TASE: GIVN) has obtained coverage of its PillCam SB (small bowel) capsule endoscope from another US insurer. Medical Mutual of Ohio will allow physicians to use PillCam SB as a primary test for symptoms indicative of small bowel tumors or Crohn's disease. It will also allow use of the PillCam ESO (esophagus) to test for illnesses when when esophago-gastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is contraindicated.
Given Imaging added that Medical Mutual of Ohio will also allow use of the Agile patency capsule used to verify adequate patency of the gastrointestinal tract in patients with known or suspected strictures prior to the administration of the PillCam video capsule.
Medical Mutual of Ohio is the state's oldest and largest health insurance company serving more than 3.9 million individuals in Ohio and South Carolina.
Given Imaging president and CEO Homi Shamir said, Today, more than 210 million Americans have reimbursed access to PillCam SB including 34 million Americans with access as a primary diagnostic tool. In addition, approximately 35 million Americans have reimbursed access to PillCam ESO. We anticipate additional coverage decisions like this in the future."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 14, 2008
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