October 9, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE / October 9, 2019
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors vs. topical corticosteroids for vitiligo
- DW Insights and Inquiries: Glucose monitors — Not as sweet as they seem
- American Board of Dermatology announces alternative to MOC exam
- Upcoming coding changes: Differentiating intermediate from complex repairs
- Academy supports legislation that would ensure patient access to medication
- Virtual group election period open for MIPS 2020 performance period
- President Trump executive order calls for sweeping changes to Medicare Advantage
Topical calcineurin inhibitors vs. topical corticosteroids for vitiligo
In a review and analysis to be published in JAAD, authors reviewed studies comparing topical calcineurin inhibitor (TCI) monotherapy with topical corticosteroid (TCS) monotherapy for the treatment of vitiligo. They found that TCI may be a safe and effective alternative to TCS when there are concerns about the long-term side effects of TCS use.
The analysis showed that TCI was less effective on ≥ 50% of repigmentation for vitiligo patients than TCS; however, TCI had a comparable effect with TCS on ≥75% repigmentation. When TCS was classified into medium-potent and super-potent subgroups, TCI showed a similar effect on ≥50% repigmentation compared to medium-potent TCS. The study authors concluded that both TCI and TCS achieved comparable successful treatment on ≥ 50% or ≥75% repigmentation.
Related content:
- A ‘pregnant pause’ is necessary before concluding on the obstetric risk of vitiligo – DW Insights and Inquiries (April 2019)
- Vitiligo or vitiligo-like lesions and PD1-inhibitors: Which is right? – DW Insights and Inquiries (June 2017)
- Calcineurin inhibitors under occlusion – I could’ve had a V8! DW Insights and Inquiries (June 2017)
- Vitiligo patient pamphlet
DW Insights and Inquiries: Glucose monitors — Not as sweet as they seem
The next contact allergen of the year has been announced early by the American Contact Dermatitis Society and it is an acrylate, isobornyl acrylate. This chemical is a photopolymerizable monomer that has been used in industrial products such as UV-cured ink or adhesives. As a group, acrylates are well-known allergens.
They are important allergens in patients exposed to them in various settings including: artificial nails, adhesives, dental composite fillings, dentures, hearing aids, personal hygiene pads, printing inks, rubber coatings, and UV cured glues, to name a few. Isobornyl acrylate has been identified as the allergen of the year to bring attention to its role as an allergen in a newer arena — glucose monitoring systems and insulin pumps. Keep reading!
American Board of Dermatology announces alternative to MOC exam
Starting on Jan. 6, 2020, the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) will offer its diplomates a new alternative to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) exam. The new assessment model, CertLink®, will allow diplomates to spend a few hours each quarter answering questions through an online portal to assess their clinical knowledge.
“The Academy strongly supports the principles of continuous professional development and has long advocated that an MOC program should reflect the needs and values of dermatologists, and be relevant to our members,” said Academy President George Hruza, MD, MBA. “Many of our members will welcome an alternative to the every 10-year examination, that better meets their individual learning style and supports their commitment to lifelong learning.”
Diplomates have until Nov. 15 to sign up to participate in CertLink.
Upcoming coding changes: Differentiating intermediate from complex repairs
Starting Jan. 1, 2020, guideline changes to the intermediate complex repair codes go into effect. The AADA’s Upcoming Coding Changes October live webinar introduces and explores the new CPT® intermediate complex repair coding guidelines and ICD-10-CM code changes, including history of melanoma and carcinoma in-situ of the skin. Register and learn more about this month’s live webinar.
Related content:
- AADA Practice Management Center: Coding Resource Center
- 2020 Coding Webinar All-Access Pass
- 2020 Coding & Billing for Dermatology
- Principles of Documentation for Dermatology, Third Edition
Academy supports legislation that would ensure patient access to medication
The U.S. Senate has introduced S. 2546, the Safe Step Act, which would establish guidelines to prevent the inappropriate use of step therapy in employer-sponsored health plans and create a process for patients and their physicians to seek exceptions. The AADA was instrumental in the introduction of this bipartisan bill and also issued a letter of support for the legislation, as it would ensure that step therapy protocols used by health plans will preserve the heath care provider’s right to make treatment decisions in the best interest of the patient.
Virtual group election period open for MIPS 2020 performance period
The election period to form a virtual group for the 2020 MIPS performance year is now open. To form a virtual group, providers must follow an election process and email the submission to CMS between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019. Get more information about the election process in CMS’s 2020 Virtual Groups Toolkit.
A virtual group is a combination of two or more taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) assigned to:
- One or more solo practitioners (who are MIPS-eligible clinicians); or
- One or more groups consisting of 10 or fewer clinicians (including at least 1 MIPS-eligible clinician); or
- Both (solo practitioners and groups of 10 or fewer clinicians) that elect to form a virtual group for a performance period for a year
For more information about 2019 MIPS reporting, visit the Academy’s MIPS reporting resource center. If you're reporting using the Academy's DataDerm™ registry, purchase the 2019 MIPS Reporting Module.
President Trump executive order calls for sweeping changes to Medicare Advantage
President Trump signed an executive order that “directs federal health officials to make a wide swath of changes to Medicare Advantage” in an effort to ensure “that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are on equal footing with the original version when people join the program.” In the executive order, President Trump called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide for telemedicine services in MA plans, approve site neutral payments, implement a more expeditious process for coverage and coding for new technology, determine methods to increase physician pay for time spent with patients, reduce Medicare supervision requirements for physician extenders that are more stringent than state laws, increase transparency of claims data, and provide annual proposed rules that address fraud and abuse.
Stay tuned to DW Weekly for more updates as they unfold.
