BC BS of Florida retires negative medical policy for FeNO testing

Aerocrine AB (NASDAQ OMX NORDIC: AERO)(STO:AEROB) announces that BlueCross BlueShield (BC BS) of Florida has retired/archived their negative medical policy for FeNO testing. The change is effective March 15, 2012.

On March 15, 2012 BC BS of Florida retired their negative coverage policy regarding Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO). BC BS of Florida is one of the largest insurance companies in the state and provides insurance coverage to approximately 31% of all privately insured or about 2.6 million lives. With this and other recent private payer coverage changes, FeNO coverage in the state of Florida is now estimated to be over 50%.

Aerocrine estimates that this coverage decision, published only yesterday, together with the recent announcement of UnitedHealthcare's policy retirement means that over 35% of the privately insured lives in the U.S. are now eligible for reimbursement for Aerocrine's test, an increase from around 15% at the end of 2011. 

"We are very pleased that the number of eligible lives continues to increase and with this policy decision, Aerocrine has confirmed BlueCross BlueShield coverage in 21 states and the District of Columbia.," said Scott Myers, CEO, Aerocrine AB.

Asthma is one of this world's most common and costly diseases, affecting 7-10% of the population and costing over $50B annually in the US alone. The disease has no cure and proper diagnosis and management of the disease are key to physicians effectively treating patients. Aeorcrine's NIOX MINO monitor and tests are sold to physicians to help them diagnose airway inflammation, the underlying cause of the majority of asthmatic conditions. FeNO testing can also help physicians identify patients who will be responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory medications such as inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and alert them to patients who are not adhering to their treatments.

"Nitric oxide measurement enables physicians the ability to better diagnose and manage patients with airway inflammation. We will be better able to identify patients who will respond to inhaled corticosteroids and even determine in whom we may be able to decrease the doses of asthma controller medications," said Sunil Joshi, MD FACAAI and President of the Florida Allergy Asthma Immunology Society.

"Since the release of the American Thoracic Guideline on FeNO, there has been significant improvement in reimbursement. Taking into account that the cornerstone of asthma management is control of airway inflammation, testing with FeNO should be mandatory for anyone receiving an ICS therapy - this benefits the patient as well as decrease the cost burden of asthma", said Kathy Hodgdon, US Director of Sales and Marketing, Aerocrine.