WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisors, LLC (MCRA), a leading independently-operated medical technology consulting firm focused exclusively on serving the worldwide neuro-musculoskeletalindustry, announced today that Joseph "Chip" Thomas, M.D., former Medical Director for leading commercial insurance organizations, has joined the firm's Health Economics, Reimbursement & Public Policy team.
Dr. Thomas is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon who has practiced in the U.S. Air Force and private practice prior to working in the insurance industry. He has practiced in the United States and Great Britain, and more recently has worked with various insurance companies providing orthopedic expertise for technical and reimbursement issues.
Prior to joining MCRA, Dr. Thomas served as a Medical Director at Aetna Health Plans, Bravo Health, Lincoln Financial Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield Tennessee, and Unum.
Dr. Thomas brings to the firm extensive relationships within the payor community, and widespread knowledge and insight into coverage policies and key elements which payors consider when making coverage decisions on medical technology. In his role at MCRA, he is responsible for directing payor strategy and coverage issues. His development of comprehensive strategic reimbursement planning will help companies proactively minimize reimbursement barriers, through optimizing coverage and payment by commercial payors.
Dr. Thomas said, "I am delighted to be a member of such a dynamic firm where I can effectively utilize both my technical background and relevant professional experience to help MCRA's clients obtain optimal reimbursement for their technologies."
MCRA's President, Hallett Mathews, M.D., MBA added, "Dr. Thomas' appointment is the latest example of our ability to attract and recruit expert strategists with superb credentials in helping orthopedic device manufacturers to be competitive in today's marketplace."
About MCRA, LLC
MCRA was founded in 2004 and is the leading neuro-musculoskeletal consulting firm and CRO assisting companies at all stages of development, whether they are single-product companies or companies with several thousand technologies. MCRA provides "first-in-class" service to its clients through its superior knowledge base, global surgeon relationships and deeply experienced management team. The true value of MCRA is the integration of six business value creators-regulatory, reimbursement, clinical, intellectual property, quality assurance and healthcare compliance. MCRA's integration of these key value creating initiatives, as well as its focused specialization, creates unparalleled expertise to its clientele. For more information on MCRA please visit www.mcra.com.
SOURCE Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers, LLC
