Cambridge Heart Reports Progress in Reimbursement Coding for Microvolt T-wave Alternans Testing.Business/Technology Editors BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 21, 2000 American Medical Association American Medical Association (AMA), professional physicians' organization (founded 1847). Its goals are to protect the interests of American physicians, advance public health, and support the growth of medical science. Establishes Unique Category III CPT CPT See: Carriage Paid To Tracking Code Cambridge Heart, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : CAMH CAMH Centre for Addiction and Mental Health CAMH Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (Houston, TX) CAMH Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals ) today announced that the American Medical Association (AMA (Automatic Message Accounting) The recording and reporting of telephone calls within a telephone system. It includes the calling and called parties and start and stop times of the call. ) has established a unique Category III CPT code for Microvolt microvolt one-millionth (10-6) of a volt; abbreviated µV. T-wave alternans testing. The Category III code, designated for emerging technologies, will most likely be available by mid-2001. CPT codes provide a uniform language that accurately describes medical services. They are used by providers to communicate to payers services that have been performed for billing purposes. In past years, the AMA did not grant CPT codes for new technologies until they were in widespread use. In the interim, physicians and hospitals were forced to use miscellaneous CPT codes that required additional documentation accompanying the claim and resulted in a manual claims review process at the insurance companies. This year, AMA developed Category III codes in an attempt to expedite the process of granting codes to new and emerging technologies like Microvolt T-wave alternans. Category III codes are temporary codes that enable the AMA to quickly allow new technologies specific and unique identifiers, while demonstrating the necessity for a permanent CPT I code. The Category III CPT code will be unique and specific to the Microvolt T-wave alternans test. Unlike a Category I code, the new code will not have any payment amount associated with it, and payers will continue to make individual decisions regarding payment. To date, Cambridge Heart has seen widespread payments to providers averaging $265 for the Microvolt T-wave alternans test. The Company will continue to pursue obtaining a permanent CPT I code for its Microvolt T-wave alternans test. Both the American College of Cardiology The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949 to educate, research and influence health care public policy. The president for the 2006–2007 year is Steven E. Nissen. [1] The organization has 39 chapters in the U.S. and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE NASPE National Association for Sport and Physical Education NASPE North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology NASPE National Association of State Personnel Executives ), have notified the Company that they endorse obtaining a permanent CPT code for Microvolt T-wave alternans testing. "We are pleased that the AMA has recognized the importance of Microvolt T-wave alternans testing and its contribution to improved public health," said Jeffrey M. Arnold, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Heart. "This Category III CPT code will be available sooner and is expected to be of significant use to our customers." David Chazanovitz, President and Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. of Cambridge Heart, Inc., stated, "We expect that the Category III CPT code will be a great asset to Cambridge Heart and Microvolt T-wave alternans testing. We appreciate the support of NASPE and the American College of Cardiology and will continue to work with the AMA on development of a Category I CPT code. It is a credit to the technology that Microvolt T-wave alternans testing was one of the first services to receive one of these new codes." About the Cambridge Heart Microvolt Alternans Test The Cambridge Heart Microvolt T-Wave Alternans Test measures extremely subtle beat-to-beat fluctuations in a person's heartbeat called microvolt T-wave alternans. These tiny heartbeat variations - measured at one millionth of a volt - are detected using proprietary Alternans Sensors while the heart rate is elevated by exercise, use of pharmacological agents or pacing. Extensive clinical research has shown that patients with symptoms of or at risk for life threatening arrhythmias who test positive for T-wave alternans using Cambridge Heart technology are at significant risk for subsequent sudden cardiac events including sudden death. Cambridge Heart's Microvolt Alternans Test is the only noninvasive test cleared by FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. to identify patients at risk for sudden cardiac death Sudden Cardiac Death Definition Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an unexpected death due to heart problems, which occurs within one hour from the start of any cardiac-related symptoms. SCD is sometimes called cardiac arrest. . About Cambridge Heart, Inc. Cambridge Heart is engaged in the research, development and commercialization of products for the non-invasive diagnosis of cardiac disease. Using innovative technologies, the Company is addressing such key problems in cardiac diagnosis as the identification of those at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, the early detection of coronary artery disease coronary artery disease, condition that results when the coronary arteries are narrowed or occluded, most commonly by atherosclerotic deposits of fibrous and fatty tissue. , and the prompt and accurate diagnosis of heart attack. The Company, started in 1992, is based in Bedford, Mass., and is traded on the NASDAQ/NMS under the symbol CAMH. Cambridge Heart can be found on the World Wide Web at www.cambridgeheart.com. Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include uncertainties associated with regulatory approval processes, market acceptance, availability of reimbursement and other factors that are included in Cambridge Heart's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31,1999. |
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