Small Bone Innovations (SBi) reported that 38 of the 39 independent member companies of the BlueCross and BlueShield Association will cover its STAR Total Ankle Replacement system across 49 states.
According to SBi, more than 90% of the approximately 175 million members of commercial insurance plans in the US now have access to the STAR ankle replacement surgery, when deemed clinically appropriate by experienced surgeons.
Duke University Medical Center Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery James Nunley said the STAR ankle is the only total ankle replacement indicated for use as a ‘non-cemented’ implant to replace painful ankle joints affected by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.
"In the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical trials, the STAR ankle was deemed superior in efficacy and comparable in safety when compared to fusion, for treating ankle arthritis," Nunley said.