Now Covering the Band: BCBS of MN and TN

I'm hoping my battle with BCBS of MN has paved the road for others to get approval without have to go to appeal. See INAMED press release below. Insurance Reimbursement Expands for the INAMED LAP-BAND System for the Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota Revises Coverage; Tennessee Expands Coverage for State Employees SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2004-- INAMED Corporation, (Nasdaq:IMDC), the developer of the BioEnterics(R) LAP-BAND(R) System, announced today that the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota has revised its policy for "Surgery for Morbid Obesity" to include coverage of the LAP-BAND System. In addition, the Tennessee Insurance Commission has announced a revised surgical obesity policy to include coverage of the LAP-BAND System for State employees and their dependents. "As obesity is expected to shortly surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, expanded insurance coverage of the LAP-BAND System makes this important health care option more available for the morbidly obese," said Nick Teti, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of INAMED. "The LAP-BAND System procedure is a safe, effective surgical treatment option, and is being recognized as such by leading hospitals, surgeons and insurers around the country." While some insurance companies are moving to restrict coverage for gastric bypass surgery due to its high mortality, cost and complication rate, many health plans have added coverage for the LAP-BAND System. The Minnesota and Tennessee policy revisions follow the recent announcements by the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Plans of Illinois, Texas, and New Mexico to add LAP-BAND System coverage. INAMED Corporation, a global healthcare company with over 25 years of experience developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative, high-quality, science-based products, developed the LAP-BAND System. Other current products include breast implants for aesthetic augmentation and for reconstructive surgery; a range of dermal products for facial rejuvenation; and a minimally invasive device for obesity intervention. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, express and implied statements regarding INAMED's LAP-BAND(R) System product platform. INAMED is providing this information as of September 16, 2004 and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this press release. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied here. Readers are referred to the documents filed by INAMED Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: exposure to product liability and intellectual property claims; exposure to liabilities that may not be adequately covered by insurance or for which there is no insurance; potential negative publicity concerning product safety; changes in the economy and consumer spending; competition from existing and/or new products; failure or delay of clinical trials; uncertainty in receiving timely regulatory approval or market acceptance for new products; dependence on a single supplier for INAMED's silicone raw materials; failure to protect INAMED's intellectual property; and adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment (both in the U.S. and internationally) affecting our business. The information contained in this press release is a statement of INAMED's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and INAMED's assumptions. INAMED may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in INAMED's assumptions or otherwise. INAMED undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or cir****tances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. By including any information in this press release, INAMED does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material. CONTACT: INAMED Corporation Dan Cohen, 202-638-4179 (Media) Charlie Huiner, 805-692-5425 (Investors) SOURCE: INAMED Corporation http://ir.inamed.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=90325&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=615494&