Aerocrine: Positive reimbursement coverage continues for Aerocrine’s asthma test

SOLNA, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Aerocrine AB (STO:AERO-B) announces that Medica Health Plans of Minnesota, a Blue Cross Blue Shield company, has updated its reimbursement policy for FeNO testing and provides positive coverage effective September 19, 2012.

On September 19, 2012, Medica Health Plans published a positive coverage policy regarding Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing. Specifically, FeNO testing is covered for the treatment of asthma when it is used in the diagnosis of allergic airway inflammation or when used in determining likelihood of steroid responsiveness in individuals with chronic symptoms suggestive of allergic airway inflammation.

Medica Health Plans is the third largest private payor in Minnesota and also provides insurance to enrollees in Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. With this and other recent private payer coverage changes, FeNO coverage in the state of Minnesota is projected at over 91 percent.

In addition to the Medica Health Plans, Utah’s Medicaid program is covering FeNO as of October 1, 2012. With the addition of the state of Utah, FeNO is now covered in 34 states.

“As outlined in a recent publication, adding FeNO to make a comprehensive asthma program improved patient outcomes while at the same time reduced costs – isn’t this what we are all looking for in a new technology?” said Kathy Hodgdon, Aerocrine marketing. “With these positive changes in policy, Aerocrine has expanded FeNO coverage to approximately 60% across all private and public sectors.”

“Our growth in reimbursement in the past year is quite noteworthy. With more and more data being published on the clinical relevance and the health economic benefits our simple, easy to use and cost effective test provides, even more health plans have been convinced to provide reimbursement to physicians who use our test on their patients.” Said Ken Marshall, US President for Aerocrine Operations.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by symptoms including wheezing and difficulty in breathing. Asthma is one of this world’s most common and costly diseases, affecting 8-10 percent of the population and costing over $50B annually in the U.S. alone. The disease has no cure and proper diagnosis and management of the disease are key to physicians effectively treating patients.

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® and NIOX Flex®. Both products enable 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 October 9, 2012

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