News

As of January 2010, physicians lost one more category of income from the Medicare reimbursement table. Consultation codes were eliminated, with physicians being told to replace them with the lower codes for new or existing patients to cover consultation visits. On Call asked dermatologists around the country whether they had seen any impact on their practice when the codes were discontinued.

Clinical trials with a novel immune-based therapy known as PV-10 (Provectus Pharmaceuticals) shows promise in the treatment of advanced melanoma.

Has the sun set on the 10 percent tanning bed tax that was included in the new healthcare law, now that the Republicans are ready to flex their muscles on Capitol Hill? Does legislation introduced earlier this year that would give feds the power to regulate indoor tanning have a chance in this new Congress?

All but one piece of the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (AOBD) process for osteopathic continuous certification (OCC) stands ready for implementation ahead of the project’s 2013 deadline, AOBD officials say.

As the population ages, physicians are seeing a surge in the prevalence of chronic, nonhealing wounds because of the increase in disease processes leading to wounds, an expert says.

Treating keloids can be challenging because there is a high rate of recurrence of them, but promising therapies lie on the horizon, such as transforming growth factor-beta 3.

Defined benefit pension plans as well as cash balance plans are generating a lot of interest with medical practices, both large and small. Medical practices find that these retirement plans are a great way to increase retirement savings and reduce taxes at the same time.

As we continue through the fourth quarter of the year, most of our clients now have a fairly good idea of what their taxable income will be for 2010. If you are like these clients, you may be wondering, “Is there anything I can do now to save taxes on April 15?” The answer is very likely “Yes.”

Effective communication between medical specialists is necessary to ensure that all patients receive proper care. But the recent healthcare reform, combined with insurance cost issues, oftentimes results in dermatologic patients seeking care at emergency rooms or primary care facilities. It is the responsibility of physicians of all specialties to meet this challenge and improve interspecialty communications for the benefit of all patients.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) for treatment of migraine headaches, the Associated Press reports.

The PinPointe FootLaser, made by PinPointe USA, based here, has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the treatment of onychomycosis, Marketwire reports.

A new test can help doctors determine whether a woman experiencing hair loss is likely to benefit from antiandrogen therapies, Business Wire reports.

Psychiatrists dominate a list of physicians who receive the most in payments from pharmaceutical companies, according to a database compiled by investigative journalism group ProPublica.

Eugene Van Scott, M.D., and Ruey Yu, O.M.D., Ph.D., will be awarded the first Innovators in Cosmetic Dermatology Award during the 2010 meeting of the Cosmetic Surgery Forum here Dec. 2-4.

Dermatology's Future : Experts foresee greater demand, more extenders Melanoma & Minorities : Rising incidence signals need for more targeted outreach, experts say Special Report : Geriatric Dermatology

A new study suggests that dietary antioxidant supplementation does not help prevent skin cancer. In fact, in women, antioxidant supplements taken for a very long period may facilitate the development of skin cancer, especially melanoma.

One part of the healthcare reform package mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes a measure to give physicians a financial incentive for developing "meaningful use" of their certified electronic health record technology. As I learn more and more about the meaningful use provision, I realize it involves a great deal more than just digitalizing patients' medical records.

Several recent developments, such as ammonia-free hair dyes and more gentle hair-straightening methods, can help make taking care of geriatric hair easier, according to an expert.

Mohs surgeons are facing rising skin cancer rates, along with concerns about healthcare reform and controversial changes in credentialing, sources say.

The key concerns that dog dermatology today - healthcare reform, workforce woes and the impact of cosmetic dermatology - aren't going to disappear soon, sources say. Nevertheless, they say, the specialty will survive, although probably with more nonphysician clinicians delivering dermatologic care.

Melanocytic nevi always have the potential to change in size, shape and color regardless of when they first appear in the skin, or the age of the patient. A recent study shows that though some nevi demonstrate dynamic change throughout a pregnancy, there does not appear to be an increased risk of malignant transformation of these nevi, nor is there an association between changing nevi and melanoma.

Comorbidities and the concomitant use of other drug therapies are factors that need to be taken into account when managing skin cancers in elderly patients, according to the chairman of the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.

Reducing patients' time to wait is certainly a noble goal and one that you should always strive to achieve. Eliminating wait time, however, is impossible for most dermatology practices. Steps you take to improve the quality of waiting time can do more than reduce frustration; they may turn the experience into a positive impression for patients.

Dr. Buttox travels to Europe to learn about a new botulinum toxin that is popular there. He understands he can't use the product in his office without FDA approval, but his marketing department gets him to discuss the product with the national press. Does the FDA have jurisdiction over Dr. Buttox in this instance, and if so, to what extent?

Believe it or not, even The Wall Street Journal is guilty of offering advice that we believe may be inappropriate for doctors. A June 2010 article advised readers not to take advantage of the opportunity to convert retirement plan assets to Roth IRAs. However, converting all retirement assets to Roth IRAs could give doctors a tax benefit that may never be offered again.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for melanoma is not intended to be a therapeutic procedure, but it provides excellent information for staging the disease, an expert says. However, he says, the use of SLNB in thin melanomas is somewhat controversial.

Dermatologists dedicated to research require thick skin, humility, patience, creativity and effective mentors, an expert says. John R. Stanley, M.D., says researchers must recognize that "we all stand on the shoulders of others." For instance, the first clinical description of pemphigus appeared before 1800, but it took more than a century for the next major advance - establishing a histological definition.

A new cohesive polydensified matrix hyaluronic acid (CPMHA, Belotero Balance, Merz) has outlasted bovine collagen in a 24-week study of nasolabial fold (NLF) correction and performed well in a 1.5-year follow-up study, according to Rhoda S. Narins, M.D., director of the Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, White Plains, N.Y., clinical professor of dermatology, New York University School of Medicine; and lead author of the study.

Rising melanoma rates among patients of color in portions of the country indicate that dermatologists must tailor specific sun-safety messages for these populations, experts say.

Good communication and negotiating skills are the cornerstones to any productive relationship, including those with patients, office staff and leaders in the cosmetic industry. Understanding the importance of cultivating these skills can help to build a solid foundation for harmonious, long-lasting and fruitful working relationships.