Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLS) today announced that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a permanent and product-specific J-code (J2781) for SYFOVRE (pegcetacoplan injection), the first-ever treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.
The J-code for SYFOVRE will become effective on October 1, 2023.
"Until SYFOVRE, patients had nothing to slow the progression of this relentless and irreversible disease,” said Adam Townsend, chief commercial officer, Apellis. “The permanent J-code is a significant milestone that will help ensure accurate and efficient reimbursement of SYFOVRE in all treatment settings, building on our goal of bringing this important treatment to GA patients in need.”
J-codes are permanent reimbursement codes used by government payers and commercial insurers to facilitate billing of Medicare Part B treatments, which must be administered by a healthcare professional. J-codes simplify and streamline the billing and reimbursement processes, allowing for efficient claims processing.
The permanent J-code has been published by CMS here.