Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare, announced that its Mobi-C Cervical Disc Prosthesis is now the most widely covered device for one- and two-level cervical disc replacement by commercial health insurers in the United States.  

Mobi-C, acquired as part of Zimmer Biomet's combination with LDR Holding Corporation in July, is now accessible to more than 200 million insured patients with one-level disc disease and more than 150 million patients with two-level disc disease across more than 90 commercial insurance plans.  Zimmer Biomet achieved this significant milestone when Anthem (formerly WellPoint), which reports nearly 40 million enrollees in its health plans, added Mobi-C to the list of covered devices for one-level disc replacement and as the sole cervical total disc prosthesis covered for two-level surgery.

"The widespread coverage of Mobi-C is a testament to payers accepting the peer-reviewed clinical data and real-world evidence from 40,000 procedures, as validation for the significant advantages Mobi-C offers over invasive spinal fusion for patients in need of cervical disc replacement," said Adam Johnson, Group President, Spine, Dental, CMF and Thoracic.  "As the most widely insured cervical intervertebral disc prosthesis, Mobi-C is poised to become the standard of care for total cervical disc replacement, which is welcome news for the millions of patients who are looking for a safe and effective option for the treatment of one level or two contiguous levels in the cervical spine."

Mobi-C was the first cervical disc prosthesis approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for reconstruction of the cervical disc at both one and two levels to treat arm pain and/or neurological deficit caused by various spine disorders or injuries.  Mobi-C is a cobalt chromium alloy and polyethylene mobile-bearing prosthesis that is inserted in a single step, without requiring bone chiseling to accommodate vertebral anchorage such as screws or keels.  Unlike cervical fusion, the current standard of care, which immobilizes the targeted vertebrae, Mobi-C features patented mobile-bearing technology designed to allow the prosthetic disc to self-adjust to facilitate motion similar to that of the natural cervical spine.  

"Expanding payer coverage for the Mobi-C Cervical Disc prosthesis has been a critically important priority and solidifies Zimmer Biomet's foothold as a market leader in cervical disc replacement," said David Dvorak, president and CEO of Zimmer Biomet. "The Mobi-C Cervical Disc, coupled with our differentiated and comprehensive Spine portfolio of innovative surgical solutions, strengthens Zimmer Biomet's position for sustainable growth."

At the annual meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS) this week, the Company plans to present data from a seven-year study confirming the statistical superiority of two-level cervical disc arthroplasty with Mobi-C over two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).