Increased Reimbursement to Drive Uterine Fibroid Embolization Procedures

Millennium Research Group data shows UFE accounts for nearly 50% of all embolic particle procedures in Q3 2007
WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Research Group's US Interventional Radiology Marketrack results indicate that uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) accounted for nearly 50% of all embolic particle procedures in Q1 to Q3 2007. Given the recent Medicare announcement regarding an increase in UFE procedure reimbursement, this penetration will rise as improved coverage drives procedure volumes throughout 2008.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued its Final Rule regarding hospital outpatient reimbursement for UFE, which will increase by 113% -- from 2,642 to $5,639 per procedure -- beginning January 1, 2008.
"This means that the embolic microsphere and particle market will grow faster than originally expected," says Philip Scrutton, Analyst at Millennium Research Group. "Market leaders such as BioSphere Medical and Boston Scientific will benefit as their embolic microspheres and particles see increased usage in UFE procedures."

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