Parkinson’s Milestone

Written By Bryan Cote

Anthem is the first healthcare insurer to begin covering a new Parkinson’s procedure, called focused ultrasound pallidotomy.

The procedure utilizes MR-guided ultrasound technology, a technique developed by Insightec, to help alleviate some of the motor symptoms caused by Parkinson’s that more invasive surgical methods have been used to do. This decision by Anthem signals more acceptance of innovative treatment options, and other insurers may follow suit.  

Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease. This number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030 according to Parkinson Foundation estimates. After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease:

  • Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with it each year

  • More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s

  • Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson's disease than women

Bryan Cote
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