Benzinga | Jun 28, 2021 06:16AM EDT

Policy Change Allows Approval For Medicare Patients Living With Diabetes To Use Both Afrezza And Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Beginning July 18

MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) appreciates the recent efforts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in conjunction with the Medicare Administration Contractors (MACs) to implement a policy change to the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33822, allowing the approval to Medicare patients living with diabetes to select both Afrezza(r) and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs). Effective July 18, the criteria change lifts the restriction on patients of having to choose between the two diabetes tools.

"Prior to this change, Medicare denials were occurring for patients using CGMs and inhaled insulin as an alternative to injected mealtime insulin," explained Michael Castagna, PharmD, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation. "MannKind is committed to providing convenience for patients, and believes that patients should have the choice to use any of today's tools to help manage their diabetes."