NDO Surgical(Mansfield, Massachusetts) said the Plicator procedure for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been recognized for payment under Medicare’s hospital outpatient payment system that became effective April 1.

The news was reported as part of the 2005 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS; Baltimore) update for hospital outpatient services. With the policy changes, the technology will be recognized under a newly assigned code.

NDO Surgical’s Full-Thickness Plicator is an FDA-cleared, endoscopic GERD treatment based on the principles of anti-reflux surgery. Through an outpatient procedure, the Plicator is designed to restore the normal anti-reflux barrier. Clinical studies have shown the Plicator procedure effective in reducing both symptoms and medication use associated with GERD, the company said.