RTI Surgical stated that HealthPartners has issued a positive coverage decision for minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion surgery, effective 1 November 2018.
Image: HealthPartners issues positive coverage decision for RTI Surgical’s sacroiliac joint fusion surgery. Photo: Courtesy of RTI Surgical.
This decision expands access to RTI’s SImmetry System for HealthPartners members considering treatment for SI joint pain or dysfunction. The SImmetry System is a minimally invasive surgical solution that uses proprietary decortication technology, bone graft and threaded fixation to facilitate bone fusion, providing an opportunity for long-term pain relief.
It has been reported that up to 30% of all chronic low back pain, the second most common cause of disability in American adults, is due to SI joint dysfunction. SI joint fusion surgery using the SImmetry System is designed to stabilize the dysfunctional SI joint by fusing the sacrum and the pelvic bone together.
Minneapolis-based Summit Orthopedics spine surgeon Edward Santos said: “As a surgeon in the HealthPartners network who has experience using the SImmetry System, this positive coverage decision is a win for patients suffering from SI joint dysfunction.
“The SImmetry System is a minimally invasive surgical solution that promotes SI joint fusion through decortication, with a growing body of clinical evidence showing improvements in pain, disability and opioid use for SI joint patients.”
RTI Surgical president and CEO Camille Farhat said: “RTI is encouraged by HealthPartners’ decision, which expands access to the SImmetry System for patients with SI joint pain or dysfunction.
“The SImmetry System is supported by a growing body of evidence suggesting long-term pain relief for these patients. We are committed to advancing clinical data for the SImmetry System to aid in further payor decisions.”
Source: Company Press Release