CMS increases reimbursement rate for Cylex's immune cell function assay by 267%

Cylex Incorporated® today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) nearly tripled the reimbursement for ImmuKnow®, the immune cell function assay FDA-cleared for the detection of cell-mediated immune response in populations undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant.  This significant increase was granted in a time when the overall CMS clinical fee schedule experienced a comprehensive decrease in laboratory reimbursement rates.  

"We are pleased that our ongoing dialogue with CMS over the last two years resulted in a substantial increase to ImmuKnow reimbursement.  In our view, this change sends a clear message that ImmuKnow is an established, accepted technology that is critical to providing better patient care," stated Brad L. Stewart, President and CEO of Cylex.  The ImmuKnow assay is used around the world to help physicians assess the immune status of transplant patients as it relates to over- and under-immunosuppression.

Increasing by 267% to $191.19 over the 2009 rate, $71.58, the new rate becomes effective January 1, 2011.

According to Stephen Bloch, MD, a member of Cylex's board, "We believe the best option for a transplant patient undergoing immunosuppression therapy is to receive individualized patient management from their clinicians."  Dr. Bloch added, "These changes in reimbursement reduce a financial challenge for those transplant professionals seeking to provide such individualized management for their patients."  

ImmuKnow complements immunomodulatory therapy and helps physicians manage immunosuppression in posttransplant patients, thereby facilitating reduced risks of infection and rejection by:

• Providing a global marker of immune function and response to immunosuppression at the cellular level
• Detecting changes in CD4 cell ATP production
• Helping to define a range of stable immune function for each patient
• Providing critical, actionable information on an ongoing, individual basis when used longitudinally to continually assess immune status (in combination with other routine monitoring tests)

Medicare and most private insurance carriers cover and reimburse for ImmuKnow testing, facilitating physician access to this important biomarker of immune function.

SOURCE Cylex, Inc.