AARP: Retail drug prices rising faster than inflation
Retail prices for medications used most commonly by Medicare patients rose almost 10% in 2013 – more than six times faster than the rate of inflation, according to an analysis by the AARP Public Policy Institute. In 2013, “the average annual cost of drug therapy for prescription drugs, based on... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - March 2, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

CMS extends EHR hardship exemption deadline to July 1
Physicians and hospitals seeking a hardship exemption for not being able to meet meaningful use requirements in 2015 will have more time to file their application. Applications for both groups are now due July 1. Previously, the deadline was March 15 for physicians and other eligible... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - March 2, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Expert counsel: Selling a practice during a government investigation
AUSTIN,TEX. – There a lot of tough questions to answer when selling a medical practice during a government investigation, according to Morristown, N.J.–based health law attorney Glenn P. Prives. How much information should potential buyers know about the case? Should the investigation be resolved... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - March 2, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

HHS to doctors: We hear your health IT woes
LAS VEGAS – Federal officials have spent months listening to doctors’ complaints about their frustrating EHRs and are responding with a core group of changes to simplify and standardize health IT. “We’ve made a great start, but we’re still at a stage where technology often hurts rather than helps... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - March 2, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Supreme Court: Self-funded insurer does not have to share data
A self-funded insurer does not have to share health data with a state’s all-payer database, according to a March 1 U.S. Supreme Court decision that could affect information-sharing reforms nationwide. In a 6-2 opinion, the... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - March 1, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Feds: Major EHR companies will remove interoperability roadblocks
LAS VEGAS – Health care data interoperability should get a huge boost under a public-private effort announced Feb. 29 by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell. The nation’s top five health care systems and companies, which... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - March 1, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Subclinical inflammation predicts progression from psoriasis to PsA
People with cutaneous psoriasis who have arthralgia and signs of subclinical inflammation on MRI are at an increased risk of progressing to psoriatic arthritis, according to findings from a cross-sectional, longitudinal study. First author Dr. Francesca Faustini of the University of... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 29, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

More teens complete HPV vaccine series when parents choose reminder methods
Asking parents how they want to be reminded of the need for their child’s second dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine appears to increase the likelihood of their child completing the three-dose series, a recent study found. “For the promise of the HPV vaccine to be realized, rates of... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 26, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

VIDEO: Beware legal land mines when working with PAs, NPs
AUSTIN, TEX. – As use of mid-level providers grows, legal risks for practices also can rise. In this video interview at an American Health Lawyers Association conference, attorney Alex T. Krouse discusses common liability dangers that arise when... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 25, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

AMA’s Stack ‘cautiously optimistic’ about MACRA implementation
WASHINGTON – Coming regulations to implement the MACRA legislation also could include sweeping reforms to meaningful use and quality reporting programs, said Dr. Steven J. Stack, president of the American Medical Association. Dr. Stack expressed “cautious optimism” that the regulations would help... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 24, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Data on two-dose 9-valent HPV vaccinations encouraging, but more needed
Studies of two-dose and three-dose 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in youth aged 9-14 years and in those up to age 26 found the vaccines to be “generally well tolerated in all vaccination groups,” according to a report at a meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 24, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

NNTs show once-unimaginable psoriasis outcomes now readily attainable
WAIKOLOA, HAWAII – Scrutiny of the number needed to treat with various systemic drugs to achieve a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index–90 (PASI-90) response in psoriasis highlights the folly of current stepwise treatment strategies imposed upon dermatologists by many payers, Dr. Craig L. Leonardi... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 24, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Dr. Robert Califf confirmed as FDA commissioner
Dr. Robert M. Califf was confirmed as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration by an 89-4 vote of the full Senate on Feb. 24. Physician associations praised the Senate’s confirmation, calling Dr. Califf a strong voice in the cardiovascular community who will bring valuable perspective to... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 24, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Investigators recover nearly $755 million in health fraud
Government investigators recovered nearly $755 million in criminal and civil health fraud actions in 2015, according to new figures from the Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG). The recoveries were made by Medicaid Fraud Control Units that operate in every state and... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 19, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news

Supreme Court: Fate of health care cases uncertain after Scalia death
The fate of several high-profile health care cases remains uncertain after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The eight remaining justices will hear oral arguments on and weigh in on a range cases this term. Justice Scalia’s death however, means the possibility of a tie vote... (Source: Skin and Allergy News)
Source: Skin and Allergy News - February 18, 2016 Category: Dermatology Source Type: news