IRVINE, Calif., May 3, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Trimedyne, Inc. (OTCBB:TMED) today announced its 80 Watt Holmium Laser and Re-usable Optical Fibers are eligible for Medicare's new reimbursement rate for laser procedures to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ("BPH"), commonly referred to as an enlarged prostate, a condition affecting approximately 50% of men over age 55. An estimated 2 million Americans require treatment for BPH annually, and almost 200,000 surgical procedures to treat BPH are performed each year in the United States.
The new $3,750 Medicare reimbursement rate is approximately twice the previous rate. The procedure is defined under HCPCS Code Number C9713 as "Non-contact laser vaporization of the prostate, including coagulation control of intra-operative and post-operative bleeding". The higher reimbursement rate is due to the procedure being classified under New Technology Ambulatory Classification Number 1525. The maximum patient co-pay is $750.
Trimedyne's Holmium Laser enables prostate tissue to be vaporized and coagulated with less risk of thermal damage to adjoining tissues than other lasers, such as KTP or Nd:YAG. In addition, Trimedyne's reusable optical fibers can bring the cost of the fiber down to less than $100 per case. Competitive disposable fiber-optic devices can cost $700 or more per case.
Trimedyne manufactures lasers and proprietary fiber optic devices for a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures, many of which are performed on an outpatient basis at substantially less cost than conventional surgery. For product, financial and other information, visit Trimedyne's website, http://www.trimedyne.com.
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Statements in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1993 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements may involve various risks and uncertainties, some of which may be discussed in the Company's most recent report on Form 10-K-SB and subsequently filed SEC reports. There is no assurance such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.