Before a medical procedure can be considered for clinical use, the technology underlying that procedure \u2013 for instance, the focused ultrasound device \u2013 must first obtain regulatory authorization from a governing body. Authorization is based on clinical data demonstrating that the technology is safe and effective. Examples of regulatory authorizations include the CE Mark for most countries in Europe and a device status of Approved, Cleared, or Granted from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorizations are also disease-specific, meaning each device must go through the regulatory process for each disease and\/or condition it proposes to treat. For example, Insightec\u2019s Exablate Neuro device underwent the FDA regulatory process three times: first for essential tremor, then once each for Parkinson\u2019s tremor and Parkinson\u2019s dyskinesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once a regulatory body clears a device for a select indication, physicians can begin treating patients on a commercial basis, although this often initially takes place on a cash-pay basis. For the treatment to be financially accessible by the greater patient population, it must obtain reimbursement. See Current Regulatory Approvals <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are preparing for a regulatory submission to the FDA, the Foundation and FDA staff have compiled a list of guidance documents relevant to focused ultrasound. See the List <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since very few patients have the capacity to pay out-of-pocket for their medical care, reimbursement of medical procedures by a government or private insurer is a critical element of the healthcare ecosystem and the adoption of new technologies like focused ultrasound. Despite its importance, the process of medical reimbursement is not as straightforward as simply sending a bill and receiving payment. As patients and physicians alike have experienced, the process of being reimbursed for a medical procedure can be a complicated system that involves a labyrinth of policies and processes. Currently in the US, there is some level of insurance coverage of focused ultrasound to treat bone metastases, essential tremor, liver tumors, Parkinson\u2019s disease, uterine prostate cancer, and fibroids. Learn more about reimbursement by stakeholder group below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Concept-to-Coverage Timelines for Conditions Reimbursed in the US <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Europe in its broadest, geographical definition is comprised of approximately 50 countries, each with its own legislation and healthcare system. Even within the biggest block of countries \u2013 the European Union with 27 member states \u2013 healthcare delivery and related funding is organized on a national level, and in some countries, even on a regional level. To assess the full scope of focused ultrasound-based procedure reimbursement in Europe, one must look at individual countries and their respective healthcare governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n United Kingdom (UK)<\/strong> Germany<\/strong> Italy<\/strong> France<\/strong> For inquires related to regulatory and reimbursement in the US, please contact Michael Broad, PhD<\/a>, the Foundation’s Data Strategy Director.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReimbursement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Because insurers often require prior authorization for procedures and because coverage is regional in some countries, we strongly recommend that patients confirm insurance coverage with their insurer prior to undergoing treatment. The good news is that, despite the complexities of reimbursement, the use of focused ultrasound to treat a wide range of diseases is available in many countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReimbursement in the US<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Reimbursement in Europe<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides health technology assessments for new clinical procedures. These assessments are used as guidance for access to the procedure within the National Health Service (NHS). Learn More about Reimbursement in the UK <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Germany has a universal dual-arm health insurance system with a statutory public arm covering about 89 percent of the population and a private arm covering the remaining 11 percent. The German Operation and Procedure Code base for the statutory health insurance system has several focused ultrasound-specific procedure codes linked to a standard payment for hospital in-patient procedures. Learn More about Reimbursement in Germany <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Healthcare in Italy is governed within each of the 20 regions. There is coverage for focused ultrasound treatment for prostate, uterine fibroids, bone metastases, osteoid osteoma, essential tremor, tremor-dominant Parkinson\u2019s disease, and neuropathic pain in some regions. Read the Foundation’s Case Study on Italy <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insurance companies can only pay what is in the \u201cbig code book,\u201d and no special agreements are allowed; there is currently no code for any focused ultrasound procedure in the book.
Spain<\/strong>
Healthcare in Spain is governed within each of the 17 autonomous regions. There are no known focused ultrasound-specific codes or payments. However, special negotiations and agreements by individual healthcare providers on a regional level are in place.
Israel<\/strong>
Reimbursement is established for essential tremor, bone metastases, and uterine fibroids.
Scandinavia<\/strong>
The Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland are known for their comprehensive public healthcare system. Once the group decides focused ultrasound is a valuable addition to the hospital\u2019s service, respective equipment is purchased, and operating expenses become part of the budget. Focused ultrasound in Scandinavia includes one site in Sweden (uterine fibroids); one site in Finland (uterine fibroids, prostate, bone metastases), one site in Denmark (uterine fibroids), and three sites in Norway (uterine fibroids, prostate, research).
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