Merz Announces New Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Billing Q-code for Xeomin
New Q-code Will Help Simplify Billing and Reimbursement

March 30, 2011 - Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted a unique billing code, Q2040, for Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA). Merz expects that this unique billing code, which becomes effective on April 1, 2011, will help simplify the billing and reimbursement process for prescribers of XEOMIN.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xeomin in July 2010 for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia, to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain in both botulinum toxin-naive and previously treated patients, and blepharospasm in adults who have been previously treated with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA).

As permanent national codes are issued annually, CMS awards Q-codes when it identifies a need to provide a unique code in order to reduce billing confusion before the next national update on January 1 of the following year. Merz has applied for and anticipates receiving a permanent J-code for Xeomin on January 2, 2012.

For providers and payors, utilizing a unique Q-code is in most circumstances administratively identical to billing under a permanent J-code.  The availability of this unique code, Q2040, means that in most instances Xeomin will no longer be billed under a miscellaneous code. 
"This is a significant milestone for the dystonia community and we are so pleased that CMS granted this product-specific code for Xeomin," said Janet Hieshetter, Executive Director of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF). "This news follows a recent meeting that several representatives from the dystonia advocacy community had with government officials late last year about the importance of ensuring access to all available treatment options, and we're all quite grateful that our voices were heard."

Merz also recently introduced two comprehensive programs to provide patients with financial assistance for Xeomin. The Xeomin Patient Co-payment Program is easy-to-use and offers eligible patients assistance for their actual out-of-pocket costs for therapeutic treatment with Xeomin. Eligible treatment-related costs may include the cost of Xeomin, associated guidance therapy and related administration fees.

Additionally, the Xeomin Patient Assistance Program provides Xeomin at no cost to eligible patients who are experiencing financial hardship, do not have third-party drug coverage, and who are not eligible for government-funded drug programs.

For more information about reimbursement support and financial assistance programs for Xeomin, visit www.Xeomin.com or call 888-4-XEOMIN (888-493-6646). Dedicated support representatives are available from 8 am until 8 pm (EST), Monday through Friday.

About Xeomin
Xeomin is a therapeutic botulinum toxin product. Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) is manufactured using a proprietary process that isolates the therapeutic component and eliminates accessory proteins. More than 84,000 patients have been treated with Xeomin worldwide since 2005.  The US is the 20th country to approve Xeomin for the treatment of cervical dystonia and blepharospasm.

Xeomin is the only botulinum toxin that does not require refrigeration prior to reconstitution. Xeomin is available in 50-unit and 100-unit vials, which Merz believes may allow for more precise billing and reduce wastage. 

About Merz
Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a part of the Merz Group of companies and was established in 1995 to develop and commercialize products for the Merz Group. Areas of therapeutic focus include Neurology, Dermatology, and Podiatry.