Faculty Bibliography

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2022 final rule, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, contains updates affecting the practice of dermatology. This article reviews many of the changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) and their impact on clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Dyshidrotic eczema (DE) is a common form of eczema affecting the hands, feet, or both areas. To date, there has been little research examining demographics and cost burden associated with this disease. OBJECTIVE:This study seeks to characterize the demographics of patients affected and the direct costs of care associated with DE. METHODS:This is a retrospective analysis utilizing insurance claim information from IBM MarketScan. Pertinent data including demographic information, healthcare provider type, medications prescribed, and average cost of care were identified using the ICD 10 code L30.1 for DE for the year 2018. RESULTS:In 2018, 34 932 patients filed claims for DE, with 61% female and an average age of 37 years at first diagnosis. DE was mostly seen in employees from the service industry and the manufacturing of durable goods. The total annual direct cost was US $11 738 985. Average annual costs, however, did vary based on type of treating healthcare provider, level of care, and medications prescribed. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with DE can face an economic burden due to their disease and providers should aim to recognize this disease and its treatments to minimize healthcare costs for patients and improve quality of life.

In July 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed fee schedule that will negatively impact practices that perform dermatopathology services. In this article, we review the proposed new and improved codes and values for pathology consultation codes as well as new payment rates. We also discuss the proposed 2022 quality payment program (QPP), and we provide an update on the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) and its impact on dermatopathology reports.