Photocure ASA announced the publication of the study "Clinical and Economic Impact of Blue Light Cystoscopy in the Management of NMIBC at U.S. Ambulatory Surgical Centers: What is the Site-of-Service Disparity?" in Urologic Oncology this week. The research objective was to quantify the clinical and economic impact of the incorporation of BLC in the management of NMIBC in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) considering 2022 Center for Medicare Services (CMS) patient-physician coverage and reimbursement. The study authors Neal Shore**, MD, FACS and Meghan B. Gavaghan, MPH, built a budget impact model to assess projected ASC costs for a cohort of newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients over a 2-year follow-up comparing white light cystoscopy (WLC) alone versus WLC + blue light cystoscopy (BLC«). Treatment and surveillance intervals were based on AUA/SUO clinical guidelines. Clinical and cost metrics for staging and biopsy rates were assessed, with cost inputs based on Medicare reimbursement rates. Photocure supported this research with an unrestricted grant. In the U.S., BLC for NMIBC surveillance in the ASC setting involves a flexible cystoscopy, an outpatient procedure without need of general anesthesia, allowing additional OR time for other hospital procedures. In the published clinical and health economic model, use of BLC resulted
in the identification of 5 additional NMIBC recurrences compared to white light cystoscopy alone. There was an associated increased cost of performing BLC in an ASC setting, with a net increase in the total cost of care for NMIBC of $110 per cystoscopy over a two-year period. If recurrences missed using WLC alone were to progress prior to detection, the model projects an increase in treatment costs borne by Medicare of $9,097-$34,538 due to more intensive
treatments required for more advanced disease.