Intuity Medical’s POGO Automatic Blood Glucose Monitor now covered by Medicare
Intuity Medical shared that its POGO Automatic Blood Glucose Monitoring system is now covered by Medicare Part B. This decision expands access to the innovative monitor for the 16.5 million seniors age 65 and up living with diabetes, the company said.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created two new coverage codes specifically for POGO Automatic, “recognizing this new and significantly different technology compared to traditional blood glucose meters,” the company said, noting that POGO Automatic features an all-in-one design that integrates testing supplies into a 10-test cartridge.
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Automating blood glucose testing steps address an unmet need for many patients who find traditional blood glucose meters, test strips, lancets and lancing devices challenging to handle, the company noted.
The new coverage codes—Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes E2104 for the monitor for use with integrated lancing/blood sample testing cartridge and A4271 for the integrated lancing and blood sample testing cartridges—allow Medicare beneficiaries, who previously could not access this new technology, to obtain POGO Automatic using their Medicare Part B coverage.
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“POGO Automatic bridges the gap between cumbersome traditional BGMs that the vast majority of seniors with diabetes rely on today and CGMs, which, despite their clinical benefits, can be burdensome to wear and may cause skin irritation issues,” said George Zamanakos, CEO and president of Intuity Medical. "With Medicare now covering POGO Automatic, millions of seniors finally have access to a needed alternative that simplifies blood glucose monitoring to one step. This empowers them to manage their diabetes and lets them live life on their own terms.”
Intuity Medical is working with a network of retail pharmacies so patients can fulfill their Medicare prescriptions as soon as possible.