Health Problem: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the United States and has a prevalence of approximately 3 million adults and 470,000 children. Management generally involves treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), but for approximately 30% of patients, seizures will remain uncontrolled by medical therapy. In the…
Evidence Analysis
It is a challenge for health plans and clinicians to distill and analyze volumes of clinical evidence to determine likely clinical, financial, and risk impacts. This is what we do.Accessed through the Hayes Knowledge Center, the Evidence Analysis Solution addresses the following fundamental questions to help our clients determine coverage positions:
- Does the technology improve health outcomes?
- Are there other benefits associated with the technology?
- What harms might be associated with the technology?
- Have patient selection criteria been established for the technology?
- For which patients might the technology provide a benefit?
- Health Technology Assessments
- Evidence Analysis Research Briefs
- Evolving Evidence Review
- Clinical Research Responses
Subtalar Arthroereisis for the Treatment of Pediatric Flatfoot
Health Problem: Flatfoot (FF) refers to a progressive developmental or acquired deformity characterized by plantar medial rotation of the talus, decrease in medial arch height, and abduction of the forefoot. In children, FF may be an isolated clinical entity or it may be found with neuromuscular disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy [CP]). Untreate…
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Dry Eye Disease
Health Problem: Dry eye disease (DED) is a type of ocular surface disorder. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) contributes to DED in approximately 60% of patients. The meibomian glands (MGs) are present in the upper and lower eyelids and they secrete lipids that are an important component of tears. The oily lipids float to the surface of tear …
Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion with OmniPod Insulin Management System (Insulet Corporation) for Management of Diabetes Mellitus
Health Problem: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by impaired metabolism of carbohydrates. DM affects approximately 30 million Americans (9.4% of the population) and costs $327 billion annually in the United States.
Technology Description: The OmniP…
Canaloplasty for Open-Angle Glaucoma
Health Problem: Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells; remodeling of the lamina cribrosa; structural changes to the nerve; elevated intraocular pressure (IOP); and progressive, irreversible loss of vision leading to blindness. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is associated with partial blockage of t…
Proton Beam Therapy for Treatment of Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma of the Skull Base
Health Problem: Chordomas are rare primary bone tumors originating from remnants of the embryonic notochord and most commonly arising in the skull base (32%), mobile spine (33%), and sacrum (29%). Chondrosarcomas, which arise from cartilage, are usually low-grade, indolent, invasive tumors that cause morbidity by compressing skull base neurov…
Thermal Pulsation for Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Health Problem: Dry eye disease (DED) is a type of ocular surface disorder. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) contributes to DED in approximately 60% of patients. The meibomian glands are present in the upper and lower eyelids and they secrete lipids that are an important component of tears. The oily lipids float to the surface of tear soluti…
Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (Medtronic Inc.) for Single-Chamber Pacemaker Indications
Health Problem: Bradycardia due to atrioventricular (AV) dysfunction or sinus node dysfunction may result in hemodynamic consequences. A permanent cardiac pacemaker (PM) is the definitive treatment for symptomatic bradycardia that is not caused by underlying disorders or medication. More than 600,000 PMs are implanted annually worldwide, with…
Cardiac Contractility Modulation in Heart Failure Patients Using the Optimizer Smart System (Impulse Dynamics)
Health Problem: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition that develops over time due to circumstances that overwork and damage the heart. The primary causes include coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. HF is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently. HF is estimated to affect approximately 5….
Sinuva (Intersect ENT Inc.) Steroid-Releasing Sinus Implant for the Treatment of Nasal Polyps After Ethmoid Sinus Surgery
Health Problem: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), commonly known as chronic sinusitis, is a condition in which the paranasal sinuses are chronically inflamed, interfering with drainage and causing mucus buildup. Chronic inflammation in sinuses can lead to facial swelling, pain, tenderness, fever, fatigue, and difficulty breathing through the nose…