Nalu PNS System Cuts Healthcare Costs for Chronic Pain Patients
Nalu Medical, Inc., a prominent leader in peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), recently announced the publication of a study in Pain Management journal that demonstrates the significant healthcare cost savings associated with the use of Nalu’s PNS therapy in chronic pain patients. The study reveals a notable 61% reduction in outpatient costs for patients using the Nalu PNS System, highlighting the device’s potential to reduce overall healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) while improving patient outcomes.
The study was independently analyzed by research firm OM1, which examined real-world medical claims data in a comprehensive database covering over 340 million patient lives. The study focused on patients who received a Nalu micro-IPG PNS System implant between 2019 and 2023, comparing healthcare costs for the 12-month period before implantation and 12 months following the procedure. The results showed that patients treated with Nalu’s PNS system experienced an overall 50% reduction in total medical costs, leading to an average savings of $13,776 per patient within the 12 months after implantation.
Hemant Kalia, MD, MPH, FIPP, FACPM, from Invision Health in Rochester, NY, and a key author of the study, emphasized the importance of demonstrating both healthcare savings and improved patient outcomes. “As responsible practitioners, it is important that we show healthcare savings in addition to improved patient outcomes in order to ensure patient access to this important therapy,” Dr. Kalia stated.
Key findings of the study underscore the significant healthcare cost reductions achieved with the Nalu PNS System:
- 61% reduction in total outpatient costs: Patients experienced a sharp decrease in outpatient-related costs, offering potential savings for both individual patients and the broader healthcare system.
- 38% reduction in additional services costs: Expenses tied to extra services, such as imaging and other procedures, also showed a notable decline, demonstrating the PNS system’s potential for reducing the need for additional interventions.
- 31% decrease in opioid use: The data indicated a significant reduction in the number of patients relying on opioids for pain management after receiving the Nalu PNS System. This aligns with the growing push to reduce opioid use in managing chronic pain, providing patients with a safer, drug-free alternative.
These findings reinforce the idea that the Nalu PNS System not only improves the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain but also provides an opportunity for healthcare systems to optimize the cost of care. “These findings show that the Nalu PNS System not only improves patients’ lives by reducing chronic pain, but also significantly reduces healthcare costs,” said Tom West, CEO of Nalu. “The data clearly demonstrate the substantial value of Nalu PNS therapy to private and public payors looking to optimize the cost of care. This is a highly effective, clinically proven, opioid-free, long-term solution for patients seeking relief from chronic neuropathic pain.”
The Nalu PNS System offers a revolutionary approach to managing chronic pain. Unlike traditional spinal cord stimulation devices, the Nalu System features a fully battery-free, miniaturized implantable pulse generator (IPG) that is powered wirelessly by an external Therapy Disc. Patients can control the system through a smartphone-based remote control app, providing them with a simple and convenient way to manage their therapy. Despite its small size, the Nalu micro-IPG delivers treatment capabilities comparable to larger IPGs, with advanced waveforms, extensive programming options, and an expected service life of 18 years.
The Nalu System has garnered attention for its innovative technology, being recognized as one of the world’s top 100 new products by R&D Magazine in 2021 and ranking number 19 in the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500. It has received FDA clearance for both spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) indications, underscoring its efficacy and safety in treating chronic neuropathic pain.
This Medical is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and focuses on developing innovative, minimally invasive solutions for patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain. The company’s commitment to advancing the field of neuromodulation is reflected in its development of the Nalu Neurostimulation System, which delivers gentle electrical pulses to modulate pain signals before they reach the brain, offering patients a long-term solution to manage chronic pain.
The results of this study not only solidify the clinical benefits of the Nalu PNS System in reducing pain but also demonstrate its significant impact on reducing healthcare costs associated with chronic pain management. As healthcare providers seek more effective and cost-efficient treatments, the Nalu System offers a compelling solution for reducing reliance on opioids, minimizing the need for additional procedures, and optimizing long-term patient outcomes.
The cost-saving benefits of the Nalu PNS System are especially relevant in the context of ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery while managing chronic pain in a way that prioritizes patient safety and quality of life. As the healthcare system continues to evolve, technologies like the Nalu PNS System are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of pain management.
About Nalu Medical
This Medical is a California-based medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative solutions for chronic neuropathic pain. The company’s flagship product, the Neurostimulation System, is designed to deliver effective, long-term pain relief through gentle electrical pulses, offering patients a drug-free alternative to traditional pain management methods. By leveraging its advanced technology, it aims to transform the way chronic pain is treated, providing patients with a minimally invasive solution that enhances their quality of life while reducing healthcare costs.
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