Colorado HealthOP to Partner With SI-BONE

Colorado HealthOP (CO-OP), the state’s only nonprofit health insurance cooperative, has announced a partnership with SI-BONE, Inc. to cover the company’s iFuse Implant System, as well as current physical therapy interventions for lower back pain due to the sacroiliac (SI) joint.

“Lower back pain is a significant health condition in Colorado that impacts our members’ quality of life, ” said Dr. Jack Westfall, chief medical officer at the CO-OP, in the October 7, 2015 news release. “At the CO-OP, we embrace new and innovative approaches to care for our members. Though it’s often misdiagnosed, published studies have shown that 15 to 30% of all lower back pain is associated with the sacroiliac joint. By offering this leading edge technology treatment to our members, we are ensuring they have access to some of the best care to address their condition.”

“With SI joint disorders being such a significant contributor of lower back pain, it is essential to cover this clinically proven procedure. As part of the partnership, SI-BONE and the CO-OP are focusing together on better differential diagnoses of lower back pain and will be rolling out joint educational programs, ” said Michael Mydra, VP Health Outcomes and Reimbursement at SI-BONE.

SI-BONE president and CEO Jeffrey Dunn told OTW, “Many Colorado HealthOP members have lived with highly debilitating low back pain for years, on top of misdiagnoses and even unnecessary or ineffective treatments. The strength of our compelling high-quality clinical evidence has enabled us to forge a partnership with Colorado HealthOp and as partners, we’re focused on awareness and education of proper diagnosis of SI joint pain and offering the iFuse Implant System as a minimally invasive surgical option for appropriately diagnosed patients.”