Relievant’s Intracept Procedure Granted Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Coverage

Relievant Medsystems announced that its Intracept procedure has gained favorable coverage from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, expanding the vertebrogenic low back pain treatment to over 36 million patients. Coverage went into effect on September 27.
 
Anthem joins Cigna Healthcare in establishing favorable coverage for the Intracept procedure. Cigna’s coverage went into effect in June 2023, adding another 19 million potential patients, Relievant said.
 
“We continue to educate payers on the robust clinical evidence supporting the efficacy, safety and durability of the Intracept Procedure. The decision from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an important step in expanding patient and physician access to this proven treatment,” Relivant’s president and CEO Tyler Binney told the press. “We look forward to building on this momentum with the ultimate goal of helping the millions of patients with vertebrogenic pain achieve significant and durable relief.”
 
The company said over 15,000 patients have thus far been treated with the Intracept procedure, which employs targeted radiofrequency energy to halt basivertebral nerve pain signal transmissions to the brain. The procedure takes about an hour and requires no hospital stay.
 
Relievant says that based on existing data, patients usually have minimal post-op discomfort and quick recovery. Two clinical trials offer further evidence that pain improvements are sustained over five years after undergoing the procedure.
 
Two weeks ago, Relievant released an Intracept simulator, which runs on Medability’s radiation-free simulation tech for hands-on surgical training on virtual x-ray, CT imaging, and navigation with a realistic lumbosacral spine model.

 Boston Scientific began an $850 million deal to acquire Relievant Medsystems in September 2023. Find out more here.