Technology Access Partners :: accessing medical technology

This article, published in the September 2007 edition of Orthopedic Design and Technology, discusses the need for companies to consider a new sales model in order to meet the changing demands of hospital and physician customers.

This new report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission provides you with an overview of the Medicare payment systems and an analysis of the payment issues facing the program. 

Published in Nature Biotechnology, this article reviews the process for developing a reimbursement strategy for biotechnology products. This process is relevant for all types of medical products and offers a reliable structure for any company preparing a launch strategy.

In this article, published in Orthopedic Design & Technology, Martin Gold discusses the concerns of payers and the future reimbursement outlook for joint technologies.  Although the orthopedic industry is experiencing innovation and growth, Medicare and private payers have reimbursement issues relating to longevity of the implant and the cost-benefit of new technologies. 

This article reviews the changes in Medicare reimbursement for Ambulatory Surgery Centers from grouper payments and a fee schedule for medical devices to the Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) system.

Hospital costs are on the rise and reimbursement is far from keeping pace.  This article, published in Orthopedic Design and Technology, explores the concerns of senior hospital executives regarding future trends on orthopedic utilization and reimbursement.

Published in Orthopedic Design and Technology, this article reveals the potential problem with GPO contracts between manufacturers and hospitals.  This feature examines the legal case initiated by an orthopedic surgeon against Zimmer, Inc.  In this case, the hospital members of the GPO received incentives for purchasing a sufficient volume of Zimmer products to increase the company's market share.  Were these incentives in reality kickbacks?

For several years, the total joint replacement (TJR) market experienced sales challenges due to increased hospital and implant costs and relatively flat reimbursement.  Previously, Medicare reimbursed hospitals for TJR procedures using a single DRG for both the original implant and the more costlier revisions.  In this article, published in Medical Product Outsourcing, Martin Gold explores Medicare's decision to eliminate the single DRG for both the original implant and revision and create two new, distinct DRGs.

This article, published in Medical Product Outsourcing, explains Medicare's DRG payment system and its limitations for new treatments.  As a result, Medicare implemented a New Technology Add-On Payment system which may present an opportunity for companies whose products meet eligibility requirements.

This article, published in Medical Product Outsourcing, advises technology companies how to incorporate reimbursement data into the business plan.  Manufacturers that begin a reimbursement strategy early, even before FDA approval is obtained, are better able to realize sales goals and attract investor financing.