Atlanta, GA – August 1, 2011 – ALR Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ALRT) announces that British Columbia Medical Services Plan published a schedule to include reimbursement to endocrinology specialists for several virtual services with patients in June, 2011. Information on the new reimbursement can be viewed at:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoprac/physbilling/payschedule/pdf/42.%20specialist-services-committee-initiated-listings.pdf.
The British Columbia Medical Services Plan is the single payer provider of medical services in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It has over 4.4 million lives in its system with more than 200,000 diabetes patients.
ALRT also recently announced the results of a 12 month clinical trial using the ALRT HeC System as an Internet Based Blood Glucose Monitoring System (IBGMS) to provide intensive blood glucose control. The clinical trial was headed by Dr. Hugh Tildesley, a leading Canadian endocrinologist and was conducted in British Columbia. It was published in the July issue of the Canadian Journal of Diabetes. The study concluded that, “the continuous use of an IBGMS is an effective method of improving glucose control compared to standard care.” The article also pointed out that “the absence of a payment model to reimburse out-of-office consultations” as a limitation.
The ALRT HeC system can be used by endocrinologists in British Columbia, Canada to provide intensive blood glucose control and they will be reimbursed under the new virtual services codes. ALRT plans to register with Health Canada in preparation for sales.
“Starting to pay doctors for remote care by the British Columbia Medical Services is a great first step forward in telemedicine,” said Sidney Chan, Chairman and CEO of ALR Technologies. “We plan to work with partners to demonstrate that using an IBGMS like the ALRT HeC System for intensive blood glucose control by qualified healthcare providers is efficient, will improve health outcomes and will result in substantial cost savings.”
“Success of the British Columbia initiative should prompt other provincial medical plans and payers to follow suit. Reimbursement will need to include the cost of IBGMS.”
Mr. Chan also states; “There is a growing shortage of endocrinologists . With the ever increasing population of patients with diabetes, the HeC system can become an essential tool for healthcare providers to deliver quality and efficient care to the millions of patients.”