Aetna, a health care insurer, has revised its coverage policy to cover Small Bone Innovations, Inc (SBi) Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) using FDA-cleared or approved devices.
Aetna’s positive decision on TAR coverage increases the number of individuals in commercial plans with access to TAR by 11% according to SBi‘s reimbursement consultant, Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers (MCRA).
Following the introduction of STAR total ankle in the US in June 2009, SBi engaged MCRA, an orthopedics consulting firm focused on clinical, regulatory, reimbursement, intellectual property, quality manufacturing, and healthcare services.
MCRA presented the case for reimbursement of the STAR ankle to insurers and independent organizations that provide authoritative guidance on health care issues and practices.
The firm provided insurers with information about TAR generally and specific evidence supporting the use of the STAR ankle in suitable patients.