Latest news with #MSpatients
Medscape
6 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Healthcare Visits Increase Up to 15 Years Before MS Onset
TOPLINE: Healthcare use was elevated much earlier than previously recognized among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in new research. Physician visits for 'ill-defined symptoms and signs' increased from 15 years before MS symptom onset and mental health-related and psychiatry visits increased 14 years and 12 years before, respectively. However, nervous system-related and neurology visits increased significantly only 4 years and 8 years before the onset of MS symptoms. METHODOLOGY: The cohort study included more than 2000 patients with MS (mean age at symptom onset, 38 years; 74% women) with a known date of MS symptom onset. Data were obtained from the British Columbia MS clinical database (1991-2018). Each patient with MS was matched by sex, birth year, socioeconomic status, and postal code at the year of MS onset with up to five individuals without MS randomly selected from the general population in British Columbia. Researchers compared annual rates of physician visits during the 25 years before MS onset between the cohorts. They also compared the difference in annual physician visit rates during the 15 years before MS onset on the basis of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision chapter and physician specialty. TAKEAWAY: All-cause physician visit rate ratios (RRs) for patients with MS were consistently elevated from 14 years before MS onset (adjusted RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3), peaking in the year before MS onset (adjusted RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4). Mental health-related and psychiatry visits increased significantly from 14 years and 12 years before MS onset (RRs; 1.8 and 2.6, respectively), with both remaining elevated in most subsequent years. In contrast, neurology visits were significantly elevated for up to 8 years before MS onset (RR, 1.6) and nervous system conditions were elevated from only 4 years before (RR, 1.4), both peaking in the year before onset. Healthcare visits for ill-defined symptoms and signs consistently exceeded 1.15 from 15 years before MS onset, peaking in the year before (RR, 1.4). IN PRACTICE: 'MS can be difficult to recognize as many of the earliest signs — like fatigue, headache, pain, and mental health concerns — can be quite general and easily mistaken for other conditions,' study investigator Helen Tremlett, The University of British Columbia and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, said in a press release. 'Our findings dramatically shift the timeline for when these early warning signs are thought to begin. By identifying these earlier red flags, we may eventually be able to intervene sooner — whether that's through monitoring, support, or preventive strategies,' Tremlett added. SOURCE: This study was led by Marta Ruiz-Algueró, MD, PhD, The University of British Columbia and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. It was published online on August 1 in JAMA Network Open. LIMITATIONS: This study lacked detailed clinical information and only considered issues that prompted individuals to seek medical care. Potential miscoding or misclassification may have occurred. Additionally, a potential recall bias and challenges with medical history taking may have influenced the findings. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded in part by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and MS Canada. Several investigators reported having financial ties with various sources either during the conduct of the study or outside the submitted work. Full details are provided in the original article. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. Announces Claim Authorization by CignaHealth, for its Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS®) Device
- CignaHealth becomes fifth major payer to authorize claim for PoNS Device at out-of-network adjusted negotiated list price of $19,161- -This follows another recent authorization by Anthem Multiplan for PoNS Device at out-of-network negotiated price of $19,160- NEWTOWN, Pa., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSDT) ('Helius' or the 'Company'), a neurotech company focused on delivering a novel therapeutic neuromodulation approach for balance and gait deficits, today announced an additional authorized claim for payment for the PoNS Device from CignaHealth. CignaHealth becomes the fifth major payer to authorize claims for payment for the PoNS Device following the recent authorization by Anthem MultiPlan. 'With approvals now secured from five major commercial healthcare payers, we are making significant progress increasing MS patient access to the PoNS device,' said Dane Andreeff, Helius President and Chief Executive Officer. 'Importantly, these out-of-network total lump sum reimbursement payments at over $19,000, reinforce the value of PoNS while strengthening and supporting our ongoing efforts to achieve broader reimbursement from CMS and coverage across the healthcare landscape.' Depending on the individual's deductible and out-of-pocket costs, these claims may not result in an immediate PoNS Device sale. About the PoNS Device and PoNS Therapy The Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator ('PoNS') is an innovative, non-implantable, orally applied therapy that delivers neurostimulation through a mouthpiece connected to a controller and it's used, primarily at home, with physical rehabilitation exercise, to improve balance and gait. The PoNS device, which delivers mild electrical impulses to the tongue, is indicated for use in the United States as a short-term treatment of gait deficit due to mild-to-moderate symptoms from MS and is to be used as an adjunct to a supervised therapeutic exercise program in patients 22 years of age and over by prescription only. PoNS has shown effectiveness in treating gait or balance and a significant reduction in the risk of falling in stroke patients in Canada, where it received authorization for sale in three indications: (i) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms from stroke and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy; (ii) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of chronic balance deficit due to mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury ('mmTBI') and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy; and (iii) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms from MS and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy. PoNS is also authorized for sale in Australia for short term use by healthcare professionals as an adjunct to a therapeutic exercise program to improve balance and gait. For more information visit About Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. Helius Medical Technologies is a leading neurotech company in the medical device field focused on neurologic deficits using orally applied technology platform that amplifies the brain's ability to engage physiologic compensatory mechanisms and promote neuroplasticity, improving the lives of people dealing with neurologic diseases. The Company's first commercial product is the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator. For more information about the PoNS® or Helius Medical Technologies, visit Cautionary Disclaimer Statement Certain statements in this news release are not based on historical facts and constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as 'believe,' 'expect,' 'continue,' 'will,' 'goal,' 'aim' and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding commercial reimbursement of the PoNS Device and the uses and effectiveness of PoNS and PoNS Therapy. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties associated with the Company's capital requirements to achieve its business objectives, availability of funds, the Company's ability to find additional sources of funding, manufacturing, labor shortage and supply chain risks, including risks related to manufacturing delays, the Company's ability to obtain national Medicare insurance coverage and to obtain a reimbursement code, the Company's ability to continue to build internal commercial infrastructure, secure state distribution licenses, market awareness of the PoNS device, future clinical trials and the clinical development process, the product development process and the FDA regulatory submission review and approval process, other development activities, ongoing government regulation, and other risks detailed from time to time in the 'Risk Factors' section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and its other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulators, which can be obtained from either at or The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements except to the extent required by law. Investor Relations Contact Philip Trip TaylorGilmartin Groupinvestorrelations@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
