News

Maximizing the Money : Amid increasing competition, group purchasing and similar programs allow dermatologists to do more with less Anti-fraud campaign could trigger wave of audits, experts warn Clinical Dermatology : Systemic options for severe atopic dermatitis continue to present challenges Cosmetic Dermatology : Uncovering the truth about antioxidants and how they work Cutaneous Oncology : Clinicopathologic correlation weeds out mimickers of lymphoma Practice Management : Document your E/M services correctly to obtain optimal reimbursement

I am inherently skeptical of rules. But I also appreciate their potential value. Many rules are good and intended to ensure societal order, support justice and minimize error. I'm especially a fan of well-designed rules intended to control the strong personal gain incentive. But complex rules incorporate details that the devil loves to manipulate.

Accurately billing for dermatopathology services requires understanding the nuances of current procedural technology (CPT) codes, says David A. Mehregan, M.D. For starters, global pathology charge codes encompass the basic duties of a dermatopathologist, from receiving specimens and processing tissue to making slides and rendering a diagnosis.

As dermatologists face growing pressure to maximize revenues while cutting costs, the appeal of patient loyalty programs and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) is growing, experts say. In both areas, however, they advise choosing carefully.

There is no doubt that vitamin E functions as the primary antioxidant in the skin and vitamin C acts as a secondary antioxidant. This means that vitamin E donates an electron to a reactive oxygen species, but it cannot function again as an antioxidant until it obtains another electron to donate.

Considering both clinical and pathologic findings provides the key to properly diagnosing the many mimickers of lymphoma, says Antonio Subtil, M.D., M.B.A.

Documentation of your Evaluation and Management (E/M) service is one of the most challenging parts of the provider's day. It is, after all, one of the bread-and-butter services. Hopefully, many of you reading this are already on a quality electronic medical record (EMR) or getting prepared to transition to one soon.

Research continues to change and challenge dermatologists' understanding of rosacea, said Frank C. Powell, M.D., at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Although there is concern about a slight risk of under-staging caused by technique inaccuracy, benefits outweigh all of the risks when conducting a deep shave biopsy, says Mary H. Lien, M.D., department of dermatology & cutaneous surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa.

Off-label injection of diluted poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA; Sculptra Aesthetic, Valeant) is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for rejuvenating the aging chest, according to Sabrina Fabi, M.D., and colleagues.

When weighing use of systemic therapies for severe atopic dermatitis (AD) physicians must consider potential side effects, such as liver and kidney toxicity and myelosuppression, according to Wynnis L. Tom, M.D.

A government crackdown on healthcare fraud could trigger new waves of physician audits, financial experts warn. Fraud costs the U.S. healthcare system some $65 billion a year from Medicare alone, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) gives the government greater authority to identify and prosecute fraud and abuse.

An oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor may offer significant improvement in signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, according to preliminary trial data.

The European Commission has granted marketing authorization to LEO Pharma for Picato gel, for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK).

Children with psoriasis are more likely to be overweight, warranting closer monitoring and lifestyle modification, according to results of a study.

A mouse model indicates that a protein rich diet high in arginine and proline may improve chronic wound healing.

A compounding pharmacy at the center of a national outbreak of fungal meningitis has voluntarily recalled all of its products, including numerous drugs for treating skin conditions.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, based in India, will acquire DUSA Pharmaceuticals, aiming to advance into the dermatologic market in the United States.

Propranolol may be more effective than corticosteroids in treating infantile cutaneous hemangiomas, a new study suggests.

Spending on medications for age-related conditions such as aging skin, hair loss, mental alertness and sexual dysfunction ranked third in annual prescription drug costs of the commercially insured in 2011, according to a recent study.

A recent study links psoriasis with an increased incidence of diabetes.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a supplemental new drug application for a topical local anesthetic cream to be used in superficial cosmetic procedures.

A routine blood test could help to predict a patient’s likelihood to survive an aggressive form of skin cancer, researchers say.

A new medical adhesive can be easily removed from delicate skin, resulting in less irritation and damage than traditional kinds of medical tape, according to a recent report.

Thesan Pharmaceuticals has been given $16 million in series A funding to develop novel treatments for inflammatory skin disorders.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has received $2.6 million from partner Galderma for the clinical advancement of NovaBay’s “non-antibiotic, anti-infective” Aganocide compound NVC-422, a topical formulation for impetigo treatment.

Lumenis has launched an upgraded AcuPulse CO2 laser that offers four new modes of treatment. Now, AcuPulse with SuperPulse technology offers a total of 10 different modes for treating 34 aesthetic indications, the company reports.

Syneron Medical has initiated a global launch of the Gentle Pro-U series of upgradeable aesthetic laser systems.

Merz has promoted Hyunna Coelho to vice president, commercial excellence, a role in which she will be responsible for sales training and development, corporate communication, sales operations, market research, competitive intelligence, forecasting, and operational analytics for the company in the United States.

LEO Pharma plans to establish five long-term research collaborations in four countries by the end of 2013 in an effort to deliver new treatment options to dermatology patients.