Medicare payments aid Hologic results

Bone densitometry vendorHologic last week announced strong revenue and income growth forthe third quarter (end-June). The company's prospects have beenhelped by the Health Care Financing Administration's decisionto provide Medicare reimbursement for dual energy x-ray examinations(DXA) to measure bone density.

Hologic, of Waltham, MA, recorded third-quarter revenues of$10.9 million, up 65% from $6.6 million in the same quarter ayear ago. Hologic enjoyed net income of $1.2 million, comparedto a net loss of $169,000 in the third quarter of last year.

Hologic's sales were led by its QDR bone densitometers, inparticular QDR-2000plus, according to chairman and CEO David Ellenbogen.The system was introduced in September 1993.

In addition to Medicare reimbursement, Hologic has been helpedby a Japanese initiative to provide widespread osteoporosis screeningfor its citizens. Hologic has also seen sales grow in PacificRim and Latin American countries, the company said.