Celebrating a Milestone: One Year of Avedro's FDA-Approved Corneal Cross-Linking Treatment in the U.S
One Year Since Launch, 10,000 Procedures Have Been Completed, Insurance Coverage Has Significantly Expanded
Avedro also reported significant progress in its efforts to secure insurance coverage of its cross-linking procedure, supported by the recent launch of the ARCH Program (Avedro Reimbursement Customer Hub) to expand commercial coverage and to assist with the commercial payer appeals process. Thus far in 2017, insurance coverage for the FDA-approved cross-linking treatment has grown from three carriers to more than twenty-five, demonstrating an encouraging trend in coverage. These commercial carriers cover approximately 85 million insured Americans.1
“I’m pleased to report that demand for our cross-linking procedure has been strong and insurance coverage is increasing. The combined efforts of physicians, specialty societies, patient advocacy organizations, and Avedro are accelerating expanded coverage for patients and reimbursement,” said Reza Zadno, PhD, CEO of Avedro. “This combined effort continues with commercial insurers that have yet to establish positive reimbursement policies. Avedro is commited to ensuring that all patients who require cross-linking have access to treatment for this sight-threatening orphan disease.”
“Both our patients and our practice have truly benefited from the availability of Avedro’s corneal cross-linking procedure and the support of ARCH, the company’s reimbursement program,” said Dr. Eric D. Donnenfeld, a board certified ophthalmologist and founding partner of Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI). “We have seen an increasing number of commercial payers covering the procedure, and we have the tools and support we need to work through the process of securing insurance coverage and payment. I encourage all physicians to take advantage of the ARCH program. Only through a unified effort will we continue to increase patient access for this one-time therapy.”
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Avedro is a privately held pharmaceutical and medical device company and the world leader in corneal remodeling. Avedro’s patented cross-linking technology, consisting of drug formulations and medical devices, are approved for sale in numerous countries around the globe. In the United States the company sells Photrexa Viscous and Photrexa, orphan drugs indicated for the treatment of progressive keratoconus and corneal ectasia following refractive surgery, which was FDA approved in 2016. Avedro continues to develop proprietary corneal cross-linking products for the treatment of keratoconus, a sight-threatening disease, and for refractive correction.