May 15th 2024
Dermatology PAs and NPs continue to address the demand-supply mismatch in dermatologic care and can significantly bring their skills within the primary care model.
With blind, deaf patients, how do I comply with HIPAA?
August 1st 2004Dr. Ron has finally learned to deal with all the new privacy requirements of HIPAA. He provides reasonable confidentiality to his patients and his privacy statement to patients is in full compliance with the law. His computers and vendors are all HIPAA compliant. His attorney assures him that his office is now HIPAA compliant.
Managed care limits access for indigents
August 1st 2004Providence, R.I.-Access to dermatologists by many patients who most need the care-the indigent-is so critically limited that a solution to the problem must be found, concludes a study presented at the recent meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.
Mohs surgery more cost-effective for facial nonmelanoma skin cancers
June 1st 2004Providence, R.I. - Mohs surgery appears to be a more cost-effective strategy for the treatment of facial nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) compared with traditional surgical excision, although the advantage of Mohs surgery is sensitive to the type of repair performed, according to the results of a study presented by Tracy L. Bialy, M.D., M.P.H., at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology
Chemical combo promises reduced optical scattering
April 1st 2004Dallas - Pre-clinical research suggests a new compound can boost the efficacy of diagnostic and laser therapeutic applications. The chemical mixture appears to increase the transparency of normal human skin, thereby allowing a better, deeper and much greater penetration of light for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Election year beltway battles put derms at center stage
April 1st 2004Dermatologists and other physicians are being caught in the middle of a growing political battle over health care policy, along with 41 million Medicare beneficiaries, as Republicans and Democrats position themselves for political advantage in this critical election year.
Time and the Bottom Line: New 'e-technology': How to decide if it's worth it
March 1st 2004As physicians, we're all faced with making decisions about the purchase of new electronic technology that promises to streamline the efficiency of the practice and significantly reduce our overhead expenses. Vendors ply their products and promise us the sun and the moon, yet few office managers and even fewer physicians know how to evaluate these products.
Medicare to provide limited relief for biologic payment
March 1st 2004Amgen has gotten Medicare to pay for limited amounts of Enbrel, the $1,000-a-month rheumatoid-arthritis drug. The coverage, tucked in the new Medicare law that covers drugs for seniors, includes some expensive biotech drugs that patients can inject themselves, such as Enbrel and a rival, Abbott Laboratories' Humira.
Defeat the opposition: five electronic essentials
February 1st 2004In the beginning of Internet marketing, the most important aspect of the strategy was the practice website. Today, in order to capture Internet traffic and manage it, there are five necessary components, including: 1) an effective website; 2) a directory listing; 3) search engine optimization; 4) a commercial e-mail program; and 5) integration and implementation. Without these five components, a practice is missing out on the complete equation.