Hubei sets pricing for brain-computer interface treatments

Central China's Hubei Province has released the country's first pricing program for medical services utilizing brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, accelerating the pace at which this cutting-edge sci-tech enters people's lives.

The Healthcare Security Administration of Hubei Province set the maximum prices for the implantation and removal of an invasive BCI implant at 6,552 yuan (about $901) and 3,139 yuan, respectively. The highest price for a non-invasive BCI adaptation service was set at 966 yuan.

BCI technologies are bringing revolutionary changes to the treatment of many patients, according to Professor Jiang Xiaobing from the neurosurgery department at Union Hospital, affiliated with the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. "For patients with hemiplegia, blindness or aphasia, we can use BCIs to restore some of their physiological functions. We can also use BCI technologies to treat patients with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease, for which we currently don't have very effective therapies. So, BCIs bring hope to these patients," said Jiang.

"The next three to five years are a critical period for the development of BCI technologies. Their applications to treatments for diseases like cancer and paralysis will certainly differ, so relevant products must go through the necessary procedures before reaching the market," Jiang added.

In March, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) released a pricing guideline for neural system care services, establishing BCIs as an independent category. According to the NHSA, this move aims to boost the clinical application of cutting-edge technology to benefit patients in need, in light of BCIs' rapid development in recent years.

The guideline also outlines the pricing for invasive and non-invasive BCIs based on the distinctive features of the two approaches. The NHSA said the guideline would pave the way for the swift translation of mature BCI technology into clinical use and provide a framework for localities nationwide to manage relevant medical services.