Span-America Receives Medicare Group II Code
for Non-Powered Mattress
Company Also Awarded Patents on Two Products
GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 1, 2001) -- Span-America Medical Systems, Inc (Nasdaq/NM: SPAN) announced that it received formal notification from Medicare that its has
earned rare coverage under code E0373 in the category of "Non-powered advanced pressure reducing mattress." The Company also announced that it was granted patents on its Geo-Mattress® with Wings™ specialty support surface and on its Geo-Matt® Contour™ seat cushion.
Commenting on the announcement, James D. Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Span-America, stated, "The Medicare Group II coverage means that Span-America's PressureGuard
CFT® mattress system clearly demonstrated its ability to deliver clinical outcomes that match or exceed those of many powered mattress systems. We anticipate the Medicare coverage will increase our marketing opportunities for our proprietary mattress system."
Span-America's PressureGuard CFT mattress system, Geo-Mattress with Wingsspecialty support surfaces, and its Geo-Matt Contour seat cushion are used in the prevention and treatment
of pressure ulcers, or bedsores, for which the elderly and mobility-impaired are at especially high risk. Healthcare industry analysts estimate that there are currently 3.5 million cases of pressure ulcers in
the U.S., a number that is expected to increase during the next decade as the percentage of Americans over 65 years old continues to rise.
The PressureGuard CFT employs the Company's proprietary "Constant Force Technology." This patented air-exchange system allows the mattress to equalize pressure under an
immobilized patient without requiring electricity, pumps, or air blowers of any kind.
Laurie Rappl, clinical support manager for Span-America, said, "The CFT is the latest and most cost-effective mattress system in a select group of non-powered specialty mattresses to
have been granted Medicare coverage at the Group II, or 'pressure ulcer treatment' level. We believe the decision by Medicare highlights the overwhelming wealth of clinical documentation collected in
facilities across the country on the effectiveness of Span-America's CFT technology. We are truly gratified at the government's decision, as it offers a proven solution to many patients for whom a powered
option is not practical or possible."
About Span-America Medical Systems, Inc.
Span-America manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products for the medical market, including Geo-Matt®, PressureGuard®,
Geo-Mattress®, Span+Aids®, and Isch-Dish® products. The Company also supplies custom foam and packaging products to the consumer and industrial markets. Span-America's stock is traded on
The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the symbol SPAN.
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