AngioDynamics, a leading provider of
minimally invasive medical devices for
vascular access, surgery, peripheral vascular
disease and oncology, announced the
Germany Ministry of Health has issued an
OPS (a procedure classification code) for
the company’s NanoKnife System.
This process is the first step in securing
reimbursement for new medical technologies
in Germany, company officials said.
AngioDynamics, headquartered in
Latham, employs approximately 800 at
operations in Glens Falls and Queensbury.
According to the company, there are
currently seven NanoKnife systems in
Germany, used primarily in patients who
suffer from liver, prostate, kidney and lung
cancers. Use of the system is usually paid
for by the patient or the costs are picked
up through a research grant at a university
hospital. Being granted an OPS is an important
step in the universal acceptance
of a medical technology.
“The issuance of the OPS by the German
Ministry of Health is an enormous
advancement in the successful implementation
of the NanoKnife technology in the
German market,” said Rick Stark, senior
vice president of AngioDynamics’ Global
Oncology/Surgery Franchise. “With OPS
in-hand, the Ministry can now document substanthe
technology’s benefits and determine
an appropriate level of reimbursement
according to German Diagnosis Related
Groups (G-DRGs) for a variety of specific
procedures.”
Eleven new OPS Codes have been introduced,
including those for bile ducts,
bones, liver, lungs, stomach,adrenal gland,
kidney, esophagus, prostate, pancreas, and
rectum.
“The inclusion of the IRE-Procedures for
different types of tissue into the German
OPS-Catalogue highlights the relevance of
this novel treatment method,” added Dr.
Philipp Wiggerman, of University Hospital
in Regensburg, Germany.
The pathway to a reimbursement code
for a medical device in Germany can take a
year or more as it requires multiple agency
filings and support from each scientific
society that treats specific disease states.
The G-DRG for NanoKnife is expected by
Jan. 1, with reimbursement occurring as
early as April as facilities go through their
individual applications for reimbursement.
AngioDynamics’ product lines include
ablation systems, fluid management
systems, vascular access products, angiographic
products and accessories, angioplasty
products, drainage products, thrombolytic
products and venous products.