Genzyme Corporation announced that it was partnering with US Bioservices, the specialty pharmacy division of Amerisource Bergen Corporation, to provide Carticel C Care, a comprehensive clinical case support and health insurance authorization services programme for Carticel (autologous cultured chondrocytes) patients and their treating physicians. This new programme, launched recently, will assist Carticel patients and their treating physicians in administering the Carticel treatment plan, according to a company release.

Carticel Care is a comprehensive support programme that provides educational services and healthcare insurance support to patients planning to undergo a Carticel implant procedure. Upon undergoing a cartilage biopsy, the patient will be enrolled in the programme and a dedicated Carticel Care Coordinator, employed by US Bioservices, will be assigned to the case. The Carticel Care Coordinator will be available to the patient throughout the entire Carticel treatment process, and will provide the patient with educational materials including Carticel product information and surgery preparation information. In addition to educating the patient, the Carticel Care Coordinator will serve as the direct liaison with the patient's insurance provider, and will manage the processes of obtaining prior-authorization and handling appeal management.

"The Carticel Care programme is the greatest product service enhancement to Carticel since it was licensed by the FDA in 1997," stated Ann Merrifield, president of Genzyme Biosurgery. "The programme will support patients through their entire treatment process and will elevate the level of service to physicians who use Carticel. By leveraging US Bioservices' expertise in reimbursement and case support services, our goal is for Carticel Care to create a very smooth, streamlined, and efficient process for both the patient and physician," he continued.

"I expect Carticel Care to be very well-received by patients," said Michael Ciccotti, director of sports medicine at the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia. He added, "It will help decrease concern and anxiety over health insurance issues, and instead allow patients to focus on preparing for a positive surgical experience."

The Carticel Care Coordinators will also provide a significantly enhanced level of case support to physician practices. This includes coordinating patient healthcare benefits, facilitating case processing, coordinating Carticel manufacturing and surgery scheduling, and providing billing and coding information. Additionally, as the sole provider of Carticel, US Bioservices' goal will be to bill the insurance provider directly for Carticel, significantly reducing the need for hospitals or surgical centres to purchase and bill for the product, the release added.

Carticel was first licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration in August, 1997 under accelerated approval regulations - representing the first commercial cell therapy granted a biologics license. Carticel has earned broad acceptance from private insurers in the past few years. Most plans in the United States now have policy to cover patients that meet the specific clinical indications, making Carticel widely available for use, the release says.