Aerocrine’s FeNO test now covered by Georgia Medicaid
SOLNA, Sweden – 4 April, 2013 - Aerocrine AB (OMX Nordic Exchange: AERO) announces that Georgia Medicaid joins 36 other states now reimbursing for FeNO testing in the U.S.
Aerocrine has confirmed that Georgia’s Medicaid program now covers payment for fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement. Georgia has nearly 1.5 million Medicaid beneficiaries. With the addition of Georgia, FeNO is now covered by Medicaid in 37 states and the District of Columbia.
“This is excellent news for our patients. Georgia’s asthma rates are higher than the national average, 12% of the children in Georgia vs 9% nationally. This simple 10 second breath test can help tell us if the patient’s asthma is under control by measuring the level of allergic inflammation in their lungs,” said Dr. Stanley Fineman of the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic and immediate past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
“We have seen a significant increase in coverage over the last 6 months with Texas Medicaid, Horizon BlueCross BlueShield of New Jersey, Virginia Medicaid, Utah Medicaid, Indiana Medicaid, Medica Health Plans and BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota joining national payers such as UnitedHealthcare in covering FeNO. With this positive coverage decision, FeNO is now reimbursed for 61% of total covered lives,” said Ken Marshall, U.S. President for Aerocrine. “With the American Thoracic Society Guideline, along with the endorsement of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, FeNO takes its rightful place in the management of patients with asthma.”
Physicians use FeNO to identify eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with suspected asthma, to help predict patient response to corticosteroid therapy, as well as to help assess adherence to corticosteroid therapy. FeNO is measured with the NIOX Mino®, the only point of care product of its kind currently on the market in the US.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by symptoms including wheezing, cough and shortness of breath. The disease affects more than 300 million people around the world, many of whom are children. Asthma is a complex disease for which there is no cure. Current therapy is focused on controlling the disease.
For more information, contact:
Ken Marshall, President, Aerocrine Inc., telephone +1 (919) 280 9687
Scott Myers, Chief Executive Officer, Aerocrine AB, Phone: +1 (970) 368 0336 or +46 768 788 379
About Aerocrine
Aerocrine AB is a medical products company focused on the improved management and care of patients with inflammatory airway diseases. As the pioneer and leader in technology to monitor and manage airway inflammation, Aerocrine markets NIOX MINO®. This product enables fast and reliable management of airway inflammation and may therefore play a critical role in more effective diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma. Aerocrine is based in Sweden with subsidiaries in the U.S., Germany, Switzerland and the U.K. Aerocrine shares were listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 2007.
Aerocrine may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 8:00 a.m. on April 4, 2013