Anulex Announces New CMS Procedure Codes for Anular Repair

2008-04-16 23:56:33 -

www.anulex.com - Anulex Technologies, Inc. announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made public two new ICD-9-CM procedure codes for anular repair that will be published in the Federal Register. These new ICD-9-CM procedure codes will take effect October 1, 2008 and will include code 80.53 (repair of the anulus fibrosus with graft or prosthesis) and 80.54 (other and unspecified repair of the anulus fibrosus). ICD-9-CM procedure codes are used to describe medical procedures performed by physicians and other healthcare providers in the inpatient hospital setting.

Michael K. McCormick, President and CEO of Anulex Technologies, Inc. said, "These new procedure codes for anular repair represent a significant milestone in our overall reimbursement strategy. Previously, hospitals could report anular repair procedures only through unspecified, unlisted codes. With the new codes in place, hospitals may benefit from a simplified coding and billing process. These specific codes may provide for better utilization reporting and, therefore, create a pathway for improved reimbursement for anular repair procedures."

Anulex's products have been involved in over 2,000 U.S. procedures to date. In addition, Anulex is sponsoring a post-market study in the U.S. to further define the benefits of anular repair. This prospective, controlled, randomized study will compare discectomy patients that receive anular repair (using the Xclose Tissue Repair System) to those who have no repair. The Xclose device is FDA cleared for soft-tissue approximation and the tools provide efficient access for closure of the anulus fibrosus following a minimally invasive microdiscectomy procedure. To date, over 180 patients have been enrolled in the study in 20 hospitals across the U.S. Dr. David Wong, a Denver orthopedic spine surgeon and past President of the North American Spine Society said, "Anulex is to be commended for conducting such a landmark study. The results of this study should provide the necessary, definitive data to further substantiate what we, as surgeons, believe to be the most logical treatment for our patients."

About Anulex

Anulex Technologies, Inc. is a privately held company dedicated to the development and commercialization of unique and proprietary soft tissue repair products with primary interests in treatments for the soft tissues of the spine. Back injuries afflict four out of every five individuals at some point during their life, and it is a major cause of disability. Founded in 2001, Anulex has dedicated itself to the development of devices to improve spine surgical outcomes.

Xclose and Anulex are trademarks of Anulex Technologies, Inc.

Anulex Technologies, Inc., Minneapolis
Doug Schoenberg, 952-224-4000
Dschoenberg@anulex.com
www.anulex.com