March 28
IN THIS ISSUE / MARCH 28, 2018
- The burden of prior authorizations: Is it really that bad?
- Take the ABMS survey on MOC
- Help wanted: AAD Pruritus Measure Testing Project
- FDA approves new psoriasis biologic
- Health care cyberattacks on the rise
- When do copayments cost more than drugs? Fairly often, study shows.
The burden of prior authorizations: Is it really that bad?
The American Medical Association (AMA) has released the results of a recent survey that examined the burden of prior authorizations on physicians and patients. The study found that physicians and their staff process an average of 29.1 prior authorization requests per week, requiring an average of 14.6 hours a week to process preauthorization requests. The effects on patient care are not insignificant either, with roughly 92% of physicians indicating that the prior authorization process delays patient access to necessary care, and 78% reporting that prior authorizations can affect treatment adherence.
As prior authorizations continue to take hold in practices across the country, physicians and their staff may be looking for some relief. Read more about how to use evidence-based medicine when managing prior authorizations in Dermatology World.
Related Links:
- Seeking approval – Dermatology World (May 2017)
- Managing prior authorizations – Dermatology World (April 2017)
- Prioritizing patients – Dermatology World (June 2017)
- AADA Practice Management Center: Prior authorization assistance tools
Take the ABMS survey on MOC
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its 24 member boards are seeking physician input about Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to help inform the future of board certification. Click here to complete the ABMS MOC survey. The survey is part of the ABMS’s new Continuing Board Certification: Vision for the Future initiative that was developed “to vision a system of continuing board certification that is meaningful, relevant and of value, while remaining responsive to the patients, hospitals and others who expect that physician specialists are maintaining their knowledge and skills to provide quality specialty care.”
Help wanted: AAD Pruritus Measure Testing Project
The Academy is seeking participants in its new Pruritus Measure Testing Project. Participants will be asked to provide data on four quality measures on pruritus. There is a process and outcome pruritus measure for dermatitis and a process and outcome pruritus measure for psoriasis. Participants will collect and report patient reports of itch using a validated assessment tool. The Project will launch in the spring and a small stipend will be provided for participants.
Pruritus has emerged as a research target in recent years. Read more about what the specialty is doing to measure and manage chronic itch in Dermatology World.
Related Links:
- The itchy scalp – Dermatology World (December 2017)
- Setting the score: How can broad-based measures help dermatologists demonstrate their value? – Dermatology World (November 2017)
- What does the increasing focus on quality mean for you? – Dermatology World (December 2017)
- Can IL-31 inhibition reduce atopic dermatitis itch? – Dermatology World (June 2017)
- Measuring up: Examining the status of quality measurement in dermatology – Dermatology World (November 2016)
FDA approves new psoriasis biologic
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tildrakizumab-asmn (ILUMYA) as a treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Tildrakizumab-asmn binds to the p19 subunit of IL-23 and is injected at a dose of 100 mg every 12 weeks, after the completion of initial doses at weeks zero and four.
While biologics may be a boon for psoriasis patients, are they effective for patients with scalp psoriasis? Read more about scalp psoriasis and other conditions that can cause itchy scalp in Dermatology World.
Related Links:
- Taking aim at psoriasis – Dermatology World (November 2017)
- What do you ask your psoriasis patients at follow-up visits? – Dermatology World (September 2017)
- What advice should dermatologists give psoriasis patients about CV risk? – Dermatology World (March 2017)
- Which topicals work for scalp psoriasis? – Dermatology World (June 2016)
- Academy resource: Practical Approaches to Assessing Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Patients in Clinic
Health care cyberattacks on the rise
According to the latest McAfee Labs Threats Report, the number of publicly disclosed security incidents in the health care industry increased 211% overall in 2017. The report attributed the majority of these attacks to poor security practices.
How safe is your information? Read more about how to protect yourself and your practice from a cybersecurity breach in Dermatology World. Also, check out the Academy’s Guide to HIPAA and HITECH for Dermatology Manual and learn more about the steps you need to take to protect your patient data and avoid a breach.
Related Links:
- How safe is your information? – Dermatology World (December 2017)
- Get smart: Digital devices in dermatology – Dermatology World (July 2017)
- Legal issues surrounding the use of patient images – Dermatology World (September 2017)
- Cybersecurity: Are you at risk of being hacked? – Dermatology World (April 2015)
When do copayments cost more than drugs? Fairly often, study shows.
According to a recent report published in JAMA, in the United States copayments for generic drugs cost more than the actual generic drug about 28% of the time and copayments for brand-name drugs cost more than the actual drug 6% of the time. The authors of the study looked at 2013 data on patient copayments and out-of-pocket fees, as well as the amount pharmacies get paid for filling prescriptions for patients with private health insurance, and found that among 9.5 million claims for prescription drugs, 2.2 million involved overpayments.
How much does dermatologic care cost? According to recent reports, not even physicians themselves may know. Check out Dermatology World for a breakdown of provider accuracy rates regarding dermatology drug and procedure costs.
Related Links:
- Prescribing to save patients money: Ethical considerations – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (April 2018)
- A tangled web: What’s happening with drug prices and what’s being done to bring costs down? – Dermatology World (September 2017)
- Gargantuan growing generic drug prices – Dermatology World (May 2015)
