Prior Authorization Requirement for Itamar’s WatchPAT Home Sleep Apnea Test Removed for all Independence Blue Cross Members

CAESAREA, Israel, Aug. 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itamar Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ITMR), a medical technology and digital health company focused on the development and commercialization of non-invasive medical solutions to aid in the diagnosis of respiratory sleep disorders, today announced that effective July 2020, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) has removed their prior authorization requirement for home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) following an extensive dialog that included presentation of evidence. All membership approaching five million members across 27 states has been impacted within the Family of Companies, which includes Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth New Jersey, Independence Administrators, and AmeriHealth Administrators.

While Medicare does not require prior authorization for home sleep studies, most commercial health plans still require it for their members, practically reducing materially the economic incentive to conduct HSATs. With this update, nearly all IBC members will benefit from the option to take a sleep apnea test at home with no pre-authorization burden.

It is estimated that 54 - 60 million people in the U.S suffer from sleep apnea, with roughly 80% of cases going undiagnosed and even more untreated. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Sleep apnea is also often associated with other serious health problems, especially cardiovascular disease.

“We are excited that undiagnosed patients of IBC with suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea can now more easily access the tests they need to confirm their diagnosis and manage their condition,” said Gilad Glick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Itamar Medical. “Sleep apnea is not only a serious ailment; it is also often an indicator  and independent risk factor of other serious health disorders. We are committed to continue to lead the journey of reducing the barriers sleep apnea patients face as we develop a more efficient alternative to the traditional care pathway so that people can be diagnosed for sleep apnea safely, quickly and efficiently from the comfort of their own bed. I want to thank the Baker Tilly health economic team in supporting our market access roadmap and this first win.”