Dermatology News from the AAD (and elsewhere!) |
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Gene Linked to Basal Cell Ca |
Lawley - Interim Dean |
New Online Services |
Candidates for AAD Offices |
New HCFA Fee Schedules Proposed |
AAD Survey Results |
Science, June 14,
1996 Issue. Volume 272:1668-1671. Abstract. Teams of scientists and dermatologists at Stanford
University and the University of California at San Francisco describe a
candidate gene that may be the genetic basis for the developmental anomalies
and progressive appearance of basal cell skin cancers in the basal cell nevus
syndrome, as well as acquired basal cell carcinomas. The gene - called
patched (ptc) - is well characterized in Drosophila (fruit
flies) and encodes a transmembrane protein critical for signaling proteins
that control the development of numerous tissues.
The significance of this work is summarized in the News section article of
Science Genetics: Gene Linked to Commonest Cancer.
Another dermatologist assumes the responsibilities of a Dean at a major
medical school.
The American Academy of Dermatology launched a new business service for
Academy members wanting to establish a presence on the World Wide Web.
NetOn-Line Services (N.O.L.), a joint venture of the AAD and its subsidiary
Dermatology Services Inc. (DSI), provides multiple Internet and WWW services,
including design and implementation of business Websites for members, e-mail
services, and bulletin board services. All aspects to building a presence on
the Internet and the World Wide Web can be provided through the NetOn-Line
Services. Additional information is available through the the following
sources:
The Nominating Committee of the AAD recently named the following candidates
for:
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) proposed several revisions
in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, as published in the May 3, 1996 Federal Register. Review of the work relative value units
(RVU) under the physician fee schedule is mandated at least every five years.
The proposed changes affect several dermatology evaluation and management (E &
M) codes (increases) and some 17000 and 17100 destruction codes as well as the
10040 acne surgery code (decreases). Comments on the changes will be accepted
for 60 days, starting from May 3, 1996.
Although the overall impact on all physicianspecialties is neutral, the
specialty of dermatology may realize the greatest negative impact, as
summarized in the following table from the Federal Register Notice:
The second part of an AAD membership needs survey, conducted in late 1995 and
early 1996, received responses from 2,585 dermatologists. Among the findings:
Gene Linked to Basal Cell Carcinoma and the Basal Cell
Nevus Syndrome ! !
Appointments
Thomas J. Lawley, M.D., has been appointed the Interim Dean at Emory
University and Vice Chair of the Emory University System of Health Care,
succeeding Jeffrey L. Houpt, M.D., who will remain on the faculty, while on a
year sabbatical. Dr. Lawley previously served as Executive Associate Dean and
Chair of Dermatology at Emory. Dr. Lawley joins the ranks of other
dermatologists holding deanship responsibilities at major institutions - Dr.
Gerald Lazarus, Dean at the University of California at Davis, and Dr. Lowell
Goldsmith, Dean at the University of Rochester.
AAD Offers New Online Services
Telephone: 847 - 330 - 9830
FAX: 847 - 330 - 0050
E-Mail: mcavanaugh@aad.org
WWW: http://www.neton-line.com
Candidates for AAD Offices and Board of Directors
Named
President-Elect:
Vice President-Elect
Board of Directors:
HCFA Proposes Revisions in Medicare Physician Fee
Schedules
Table 4.--Five-Year Review Impact on Medicare Payments by Specialty
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact of
work RVU
Specialty change
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Practice.............................................. 4.6
Internal Medicine............................................ 4.2
Hematology Oncology.......................................... 3.9
Emergency Medicine........................................... 3.7
Pulmonary.................................................... 3.6
General Practice............................................. 3.5
Rheumatology................................................. 3.4
All Other Physicians......................................... 2.9
Neurology.................................................... 2.6
Obstetrics/Gynecology........................................ 2.0
Clinics...................................................... 1.2
Cardiology................................................... 1.1
Otolaryngology............................................... 0.9
Vascular Surgery............................................. 0.5
Gastroenterology............................................. 0.2
Neurosurgery................................................. 0.2
Nephrology................................................... -0.4
General Surgery.............................................. -0.8
Orthopedic Surgery........................................... -1.5
Suppliers.................................................... -1.6
Urology...................................................... -1.6
Oral Surgery................................................. -1.8
Thoracic Surgery............................................. -1.8
Plastic Surgery.............................................. -2.0
Psychiatry................................................... -2.2
Cardiac Surgery.............................................. -2.4
Radiology.................................................... -2.6
Podiatry..................................................... -2.6
Radiation Oncology........................................... -3.1
Ophthalmology................................................ -3.8
Nonphysician Practitioners................................... -4.1
Pathology.................................................... -4.2
Optometrist.................................................. -4.5
Chiropractor................................................. -4.6
Anesthesiology............................................... -4.7
Dermatology.................................................. -6.2
All Physician Specialties.................................... 0.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the AAD, the proposed changes in the E & M codes specific to
dermatology (99201 - 99205 and 99211 - 99215) will remain unchanged (99211) or
increase from 9 to 13%. The proposed reductions in the destruction codes will
have the following impacts:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code 1996 value 1997 value Total RVUs
(proposed) 1996 1997 est. Impact
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17000 0.64 0.36 1.09 0.81 down 26%
17001 0.19 0.14 0.40 0.35 down 13%
17002 0.19 0.14 0.30 0.25 down 16%
17100 0.53 0.30 0.93 0.70 down 25%
17101 0.11 0.11 0.31 0.31 unchanged
17102 0.11 0.11 0.20 0.20 unchanged
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The AAD is participating in direct responses to HCFA as well as through the
AMA Relative Value Update Committee.
AAD Survey - Miscellaneous Results
June, 1996
Thomas L. Ray, M.D. / Dept. of Dermatology / University of Iowa / tray@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu