by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Jun 1, 2023 | Healthcare Payment Policy
There’s a reason that CMS is talking about “package pricing” of CTPs (aka “skin substitutes”) in the doctor’s office. Proposed policies from CMS do not come out of nowhere. CMS notes changes in the volume of claims and then tackles those changes with policies. The...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | May 25, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
Brian McCurdy, the Managing Editor of Today’s Wound Clinic, and I talked about a project we are working on to elevate the patient’s voice in wound care. Just prior to shooting this video, Brian and I interviewed Morgan McCoy about her journey (watch for that link...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | May 19, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
First, if you are a quadriplegic, I want to thank you. About a decade ago, my 13 year old daughter become desperately sick and there didn’t seem to be much hope for her (a story for another day). After my three months of family leave to care for her ran out, I got in...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | May 17, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
At the recent SAWC, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders. I’ve had the incredible privilege of co-chairing the Alliance just about since its inception. This video takes a walk down memory lane about all those visits to the...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | May 10, 2023 | Pyoderma Gangrenosum
In January, I asked for your help with a survey about amputations due to pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Thanks to all of those who responded, and my apologies that I am asking you to do it again. Let’s just say that there were technical difficulties with the survey (not...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | May 3, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
Check out the article which I wrote with Dr. Eva Sevick about our webinar: Myths Debunked! How Lymphatic Imaging is Changing Patient Treatment Plans at the invitation of LymphaPress as part of their “Thought Leader” series. I have to admit that this was one of the...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | May 1, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Andrew Marxen, the fantastic wound and ostomy nurse who drove several hours round trip to provide care for Curt Gates. Bynthia texted me, “I’ve been up all night caring for Curt but wanted you to know that Andrew’s visit saved...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Apr 27, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
Thanks to all of you who have emailed me with suggestions to help Curt and Bynthia Gates. Here’s an update and a few clarifications: The patient is approved for 35 hours of weekly Home Care under Medicare. The problem is NOT that insurance will not cover the service...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Apr 26, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
I have seen a lot of drug induced ulcerations and I bet you have, too. Some of them can be horrific. A colleague just emailed me to ask if I’d seen any Xylazine-related ulcerations. Xylazine (a veterinary anesthetic) can be used to cut fentanyl, heroin and sometimes...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Apr 24, 2023 | Fight the Good Fight
Most people will consider this good news. When compared to non-coffee drinkers, consumption of up to four cups of coffee have a 29% reduced risk of all-cause mortality over a seven-year period and a 15% reduction in all cardiovascular disease. The highest consumers of...
