Shunt reimbursement amended

The level of reimbursement of Optonol's Ex-PRESS Mini Glaucoma Shunt has been increased by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), according to an announcement made by Optonol at the Glaucoma Subspecialty Day of this year's meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Under its new ambulatory payment classification (APC), the shunt is now available to recipients of the Medicare benefits scheme throughout the US, in hospitals as well as outpatient settings. The national average reimbursement has been increased to $2705.35 from $1476.16.

The new reimbursement regulation comes into force on January 1, 2009.