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Medicare Rates for Vasomedical EECP(R) Therapy in 2006; Hospital Outpatient Rate to Increase, Physician Rate to Remain the Same

Posted on: Friday, 10 March 2006, 15:00 CST

Vasomedical, Inc. (Nasdaq SC: VASO), a leader in the noninvasive treatment and management of cardiovascular diseases, announced today the national average reimbursement rate for EECP(R) therapy published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administered in the hospital outpatient setting is scheduled to increase 2.5% from $102.18 to $104.73 for calendar year 2006. The national average reimbursement rate for physicians according to the CMS Physician Fee Schedule will remain the same as 2005 at $138.34 per hour of treatment. The rates are effective January 1 through December 31, 2006.

Thomas Glover, Vasomedical president and CEO stated, "We appreciate the consideration of CMS and others who participate in establishing the reimbursement needs for this therapy. We look forward to maintaining a leadership role and dialogue with CMS in an effort to establish appropriate levels of reimbursement for EECP therapy, as well as coverage of additional patients in the future. We remain committed to patients who stand to benefit from this therapy and to our loyal group of EECP therapy providers."

About EECP(R) Therapy

EECP external counterpulsation therapy is typically given in 35 one-hour sessions over seven weeks. Patients recline on a contoured treatment table and their calves, lower thighs and upper thighs are wrapped in a pneumatic cuff set. The system, which is synchronized to the individual patient's cardiac cycle, inflates the cuffs with air to create external pressure when the heart is resting and deflates the cuffs just before the next heartbeat. The system's action, which pulses counter to the heart's beating, increases blood flow to the heart muscle and other organs and decreases the heart's workload, creating a greater oxygen supply for the heart muscle while lowering its need for oxygen.

About Vasomedical, Inc.

Vasomedical, Inc. is primarily engaged in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting EECP external counterpulsation systems based on the Company's unique proprietary technology. EECP therapy is a noninvasive, outpatient therapy for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system currently indicated for use in cases of stable or unstable angina, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. The therapy serves to increase circulation in areas of the heart with less than adequate blood supply and may restore systemic vascular function. The Company provides hospitals, clinics and private practices with EECP equipment, treatment guidance and a staff training and equipment maintenance program designed to provide optimal patient outcomes. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.vasomedical.com.

EECP is a registered trademark for Vasomedical's enhanced external counterpulsation systems.

Except for historical information contained in this release, the matters discussed are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. When used in this report, words such as "anticipated,""believes,""could,""estimates,""expects,""may,""plans,""potential" and "intends" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the effect of the dramatic changes taking place in the healthcare environment; the impact of competitive procedures and products and their pricing; medical insurance reimbursement policies; unexpected manufacturing or supplier problems; unforeseen difficulties and delays in product development programs; the actions of regulatory authorities and third-party payers in the United States and overseas; uncertainties about the acceptance of a novel therapeutic modality by the medical community; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments.

Source: Business Wire

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