Globus Medical Announces Anthem Coverage Decision for Secure-C Cervical Disc Implant

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) has learned from foreign media reports that Globus Medical, a musculoskeletal implant manufacturer headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA, recently announced that its Secure-C cervical spine implant device has secured a coverage determination from health insurance giant Anthem.

The Secure-C cervical implant received FDA premarket approval in 2012. It is designed to restore normal neck motion in patients with disc pathology. The device consists of two cobalt-chromium endplates and a central polyethylene core that mimics the function of a healthy intervertebral disc.

The Secure-C Cervical Artificial Disc is indicated for skeletally mature patients undergoing single-level disc reconstruction at C3–C7 following discectomy, for the treatment of intractable radiculopathy (arm pain or neurological deficits). The design is intended to allow unrestricted axial rotation of the arm and permit 1.25 mm of sagittal translation. Clinical study data demonstrate that Secure-C holds significant market advantages in terms of subsequent surgical interventions and patient satisfaction at 24 months postoperatively.

Seven-year follow-up data from Globus Medical show that the overall success rate for patients implanted with this device was higher than that for patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) (86.3% vs. 70.0%), exceeding the composite success rate defined by the FDA. A greater proportion of patients reported at least a 25% improvement in the Neck Disability Index (a measure of pain and function). Furthermore, patients implanted with this device had lower rates of subsequent surgery at the original treatment site and fewer adjacent-segment surgeries.

Globus Medical is a leading provider of musculoskeletal solutions, driving significant technological advancements across its comprehensive portfolio of spinal products. Founded in 2003 with a focus on advancing spinal surgery, Globus has become the fastest-growing company in the history of orthopedics. To date, Globus Medical has filed for and obtained more than 50 patents.

Globus Medical stated that the coverage decision means the Secure-C device will be covered in all 50 states. Anthony Williams, Chairman of Globus Medical, said, “Long-term clinical outcomes have confirmed that Secure-C significantly improves patients’ long-term quality of life, which is a key factor in expanding coverage demand. Secure-C has expanded our market share in the cervical disc arthroplasty market.”

Anthem is one of the largest health benefits companies in the United States. Founded in 2004, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Anthem provides solutions for a wide range of health issues through its affiliated health plans, offering comprehensive healthcare coverage and related services via its portfolio, as well as specialized products such as life and disability insurance, dental and vision care, behavioral health services, long-term care insurance, and flexible spending accounts.

Anthem is dedicated to transforming healthcare with trusted solutions, serving more than 73 million people through its affiliated companies, including nearly 40 million members of its health plan family.

(Compiled by Liu Ting)