NTAP effective October 1, 2026, expanding access to icotec’s radiolucent spinal stabilization technology for eligible Medicare procedures
The CMORE® Cervicothoracic (CT) spine implant system is a new key member of icotec’s growing and innovative family of Spine Therapy products
icotec Receives CMS approval for New Technology Add-On Payment for its CMORE® CT System
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cmsicotec MedicalCMORE CT System NTAPapprovalpaymentspine tumorsimplant system
ALTSTÄTTEN, Switzerland and BOSTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — icotec, the global leader in radiolucent implants for spine tumors and other complex spinal surgery patients, today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) for icotec’s spine implant system, CMORE® CT, effective October 1, 2026.
This approval represents an important milestone for icotec and its CMORE® CT System. The NTAP program can help eligible hospitals receive reimbursement for treating Medicare patients with the innovative CMORE® product. The CMS designation provides an additional payment to eligible hospitals for qualifying technologies used for traditional Medicare patients. The CMORE® NTAP applies to specified spinal conditions and procedures.
“We are thrilled that CMS has recognized our new CMORE® CT System through the NTAP program, after previously receiving the Break-Through Device Designation (BDD) in April, 2025,” said Christoph Eigenmann, CEO of icotec, USA. “Through this new acknowledgement, clinicians have an approved solution to provide their patients the CMORE® CT System. This empowers the ability to SEE MORE during surgery in XRAY, CT and MRI imaging and enables advanced therapies postoperatively thanks to the radiolucent properties of BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK.”
With its BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK implants, icotec combines its proprietary process technologies with advanced material science to deliver innovative and reliable solutions for spine surgeons and their patients around the world. icotec works with clinicians in a multi-disciplinary therapy approach to advance the field of spinal implants and shape the future of spinal surgery.
For additional inquiries, please contact hello@icotec-medical.com.
About icotec’s CMORE® CT System
The CMORE® CT System is designed for posterior stabilization of the cervicothoracic spine and is engineered and manufactured with icotec’s proprietary BlackArmor® technology. The nonmetallic, radiolucent system is made entirely of Carbon/PEEK and includes polyaxial screws (pedicle and lateral mass) as well as straight and precontoured rods to accommodate patient anatomy. The CMORE® CT system is indicated to treat most of today’s posterior cervicothoracic spinal pathologies and is the only posterior cervicothoracic system approved by the FDA for the treatment of spinal infection.
The above information is provided by icotec regarding the NTAP program, is for communication purposes only and does not constitute billing or coding advice. Eligibility and reimbursement are determined by CMS and applicable payer requirements. icotec does not guarantee any specific reimbursement.
For additional information about icotec and the CMORE® product, please visit www.icotec-medical.com. Healthcare professionals and hospital representatives seeking more information about the CMORE® CT System NTAP program, please contact reimbursement@icotec-medical.com.
SOURCE Icotec Medical
Author
TH
TJ Halvorson
The De Angelis Group | Orthopedics This Week | MSK Innovations
Why This Matters
Two Perspectives
MBA Lens: Economic and industry impact
icotec secured a New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) for its CMORE® CT System, effective October 1, 2026. This strategic reimbursement approval, following a Breakthrough Device Designation, significantly enhances market access and adoption for eligible Medicare procedures. It provides additional payment to hospitals, supporting the use of icotec's radiolucent spinal stabilization technology and strengthening its competitive position in complex spinal surgery.
- The NTAP designation, effective October 1, 2026, provides additional reimbursement for eligible hospitals, expanding access to icotec’s CMORE® CT System for Medicare patients.
- This approval, coupled with prior Breakthrough Device Designation, strengthens icotec's market position by facilitating adoption of its radiolucent implants for spine tumors and complex spinal pathologies.
PhD Lens: Clinical and outcomes impact
icotec's CMORE® CT System, a radiolucent cervicothoracic spinal stabilization implant, received New Technology Add-On Payment approval. Utilizing proprietary BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK technology, this nonmetallic system enhances intraoperative and postoperative imaging visibility across X-ray, CT, and MRI modalities. Its unique material composition facilitates advanced therapeutic interventions and holds FDA approval for spinal infection treatment.
- The CMORE® CT System is a nonmetallic, radiolucent implant made entirely of BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK, designed for posterior cervicothoracic spinal stabilization.
- Its radiolucent properties improve imaging visibility (X-ray, CT, MRI) and enable advanced postoperative therapies, with FDA approval for spinal infection treatment.
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Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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