REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gynesonics®, a women’s healthcare company focused on the development of minimally invasive solutions for symptomatic uterine fibroids, announced today that health insurance coverage of more than 50 million lives were added for the Sonata® treatment within the first 6 months of 2020. The Sonata technology platform integrates the first and only commercial intrauterine ultrasound system with a proprietary advanced radiofrequency ablation device, providing an incision-free, uterus-preserving, transcervical treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Bradley Hurst, MD, Director of Assisted Reproduction at Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center and a reproductive endocrinologist at Atrium Health Women’s Institute, said, “I have been working to advance fibroid treatment for much of my career, including initial development and testing of a transvaginal approach to fibroid treatment, for which I was issued a patent in 2005. As an incisionless, intrauterine, uterus-preserving option, Sonata achieves all that I imagined, and more. I am committed to providing my patients with access to the significant benefits provided by Sonata, which have been demonstrated through a considerable volume of published research. As a clinician who understands the importance of this innovation, and with patients who desire and need Sonata as a treatment option now, I am collaborating with commercial payers in the Charlotte area to provide access.”
“This is an exciting milestone for patients and providers allowing access and options for women suffering with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Despite the significant impact on the quality of life associated with symptomatic fibroids, data has been reported that nearly 80% of women want to avoid invasive surgery for fibroids and are waiting for a less-invasive option,” said Kelly Petrucci, VP of Healthcare Economics and Market Access for Gynesonics. “The health insurance companies are listening to patients and providers, and then addressing their needs by creating access to a less-invasive treatment option with the Sonata System.”
In commercial insurance companies, medical directors will evaluate if treatments are reasonable, necessary, safe, effective and the cost utility of the treatment by disease state. Medical policies are reviewed annually, or more often if needed; these evaluations include resources such as peer-reviewed publications, market trends and real-time utilization data to help make informed decisions about treatments such as transcervical fibroid ablation with the Sonata System.
“Our mission is to provide access for all women to the Sonata treatment, and this progress with payer coverage is an acceleration of that access. Women need additional innovative options to treat this debilitating condition. We see strong engagement with health insurance companies in addressing the needs of patients and initiating positive coverage for Sonata,” said Chris Owens, CEO of Gynesonics. “This exciting progress over the first half of the year reflects the robustness of the clinical evidence supporting the Sonata treatment as a safe, effective, and durable option.”
About Sonata System
The Sonata System uses radiofrequency energy to ablate fibroids under real-time intrauterine sonography guidance. The Sonata System, including the SMART Guide, enables the operator to target fibroids and optimize ablations within them. The Sonata system’s design provides a straightforward, transcervical access for a uterus-preserving, incision-free fibroid treatment. This intrauterine approach is designed to avoid the peritoneal cavity. The Sonata System is CE marked and is approved for sale in the European Union and the United States.
About Gynesonics
Gynesonics is a women’s healthcare company focused on advancing women’s health, by developing minimally invasive, incision-free, uterus-preserving, transcervical technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Gynesonics has developed the Sonata System for diagnostic intrauterine imaging and transcervical treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. Gynesonics headquarters is in Redwood City, CA. For more information, go to www.gynesonics.com.