Essure Procedure Now Covered by Medicaid in ...( MOUNTAIN VIEW Calif. May 14 /- Co...),Health

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Conceptus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPTS) developer of the Essure(R) procedure, the first and only non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today reported that Medi-Cal, California's state fee-for-service Medicaid program, is now covering the Essure procedure. Low-income or disabled women in California now have a safe and effective permanent female birth control option that does not require the general anesthesia, incisions or long recovery period of traditional tubal ligation.

"We are very happy that Medi-Cal has completed its review of the safety and efficacy of the Essure device and has established coverage for this procedure," said California Assembly Speaker pro Tem Sally Lieber. "This is a great day for the women of California covered by Medicaid, who will now be able to avoid the risks and long recovery times associated with traditional tubal ligation surgery."

The Essure procedure is now a covered procedure for Medi-Cal beneficiaries that are 21 years of age or older. Physicians may perform the Essure procedure in the physician's office, the ambulatory surgery center or the hospital outpatient department. Medi-Cal is expected to pay $2,282 as a global fee for an in-office procedure. This coverage decision impacts approximately 3.8 million Californians.

Coverage of the Essure procedure enables state Medicaid programs to provide a safe, convenient and economical choice for preventing pregnancies. In addition, the shorter recovery time-typically one day as compared with four to six days for the traditional laparoscopic procedure-means a faster return to work or home responsibilities. California joins 45 other states now covering the Essure procedure for
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