Share The implantable miniature telescope (IMT) was approved by the FDA in 2010 (see our article). Now, the way has been cleared, by Medicare at least, to cover this procedure in outpatient facilities.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CNS) has established a billing code, effective October 1, 2011.  Outpatient facilities will be able to be reimbursed for the cost of providing the service.

According to VisionCare, the developer of the IMT, "CMS pass-through payments provide reimbursement for a new technology that offers a treatment option for a patient population unresponsive to, or ineligible for, currently available treatments, or significantly improves clinical outcomes for a patient population as compared to other treatments."

The tiny telescope, smaller than a pea, provides magnification to people with end-stage macular degeneration, for whom no other treatment is available.

CentraSight is the patient care program managing the IMT.  It includes not only the surgery to implant the telescope, but also an extensive training program to ensure success.  Read more in our previous article.

In the United States, CentraSight is training physicians and facilities to use the new technology, which initially will be available in many states where the clinical trial was conducted.  More information will be available October 1, 2011.  You can also find more about the IMT at CentraSight.

In the United Kingdom, a clinical trial of the IMT is currently recruiting patients.  Click the link to find out more.

September 2011