PLEASANTON, Calif. – July 7, 2016 – NeoTract, Inc., a medical device company focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced the recent addition of several new insurance positive coverage decisions to expand access to the UroLift® System as a covered benefit for many more men across the United States, including Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance beneficiaries.
“Thanks to the rigorous clinical data, widespread adoption, and enthusiastic support from the urologic community, the UroLift prostatic urethral lift is a proven treatment option for millions of men suffering from enlarged prostate issues,” said Dave Amerson, president and CEO of NeoTract, Inc. “We are delighted that commercial insurers and independent networks as well as Medicare and Medicaid have acknowledged that the UroLift System offers an early treatment option that is minimally invasive and cost-effective for men that are not well served by medical therapy.”
Recently, a positive coverage decision was issued by Medicare administrative contractor National Government Services, Inc. (NGS), for beneficiaries in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. The UroLift System was also made available to beneficiaries of independent networks, such as Kaiser Permanente and SelectHealth, as well as numerous Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, such as CareFirst, Highmark, Louisiana, Nebraska and South Carolina.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, affects more than 37 million men in the United States alone. Much more prevalent than prostate cancer, BPH occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system.
“We are pleased with the support for the clinical and economic value of UroLift,” added Amerson. “We are committed to ensuring as many men as possible have access to the UroLift System.”
The UroLift System provides a unique approach to treating BPH that lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra. UroLift is the only BPH procedure that does not require cutting, heating or removal of the prostate tissue.
Symptoms of BPH often include sleepless nights and urinary problems, and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life. Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, burns or ablates prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation (dry orgasm).
About the UroLift System
The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a novel, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia and Canada. Learn more at www.UroLift.com.
About NeoTract
NeoTract, Inc. is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. The company’s initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function. Learn more at www.UroLift.com or www.NeoTract.com.
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Media Contact:
For NeoTract, Inc.:
Nicole Osmer
650.454.0504
nicole@nicoleosmer.com
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