Latest News
Feature
MedPAC recommends scrapping MIPS, gets pushback from doctors
While MIPS is not perfect, doctors are not likely to be pleased by having to shift midstream.
From the Journals
Novel herpes zoster vaccine is more cost effective than old vaccine
Cost-effectiveness can be an important factor in considering patient treatment for herpes zoster.
News from the FDA/CDC
Office visits have a chronic problem
Adult visits are more often for long term problems, but pediatric visits tend to be for acute conditions.
Feature
CMS launches advanced APM focused on bundled payments
The program “builds on the earlier success of bundled payment models and is an important step in the move away from fee for service.”
Conference Coverage
Neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis is usually misdiagnosed
GENEVA – This skin eruption is “underdiagnosed and overtreated” in SLE patients.
From the Journals
USPSTF goes neutral on adolescent scoliosis screening
Studies since 2004 suggest that the USPSTF “no longer has moderate certainty that the harms of treatment outweigh the benefits.”
Conference Coverage
Prior biologic exposure doesn’t diminish ixekizumab’s efficacy
GENEVA – Ixekizumab works “extraordinarily well” for psoriasis – even with prior exposure to other IL-17 inhibitors.
From the Journals
Rituximab tackles relapse of severe, difficult-to-treat pemphigus
Drug succeeds as a single, long-term maintenance therapy, with a better risk-to-benefit ratio than corticosteroids.
Latest News
Minorities less likely to seek treatment for psoriasis
“While psoriasis is less common among minorities than whites, minorities may suffer from a larger burden of disease yet have fewer visits.”
From the Journals
Autologous stem-cell transplantation for scleroderma beats cyclophosphamide in long term
Hematopoietic toxicity should be weighed against the benefits of transplantation.
Feature
Massachusetts named healthiest state for 2017
Mississippi, on the other hand, has the most room for improvement.