by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 11, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight
A brief report was recently published in JAMA Cardiology about the estimated benefits of a drug called Finerenone (nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) in heart failure (HF). I read the cardiology literature because as a field, they understand a lot...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 10, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes
Cellular Tissue Products (CTPs) / skin substitutes are being pitched as part of a “research project” with payments made as a “reward for contributions to the field.” (The reward payments are related to volume and based on the price of the product.) Note that on the...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 8, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight, Healthcare Payment Policy
Medicare’s Quality Payment Program vs. Wound Care Practitioners | Today’s Wound Clinic Today’s Wound Clinic just posted an article I wrote about everyone’s favorite topic, MIPS! Here’s a table with the MIPS quality measures that might be reportable by most wound...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 4, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitute Arrests, CTP / Skin Substitutes
On September 18th, 2024, Erica Everhart and Zach Bredl posted an article on the Care Journey website about the impact of fraud and abuse in value-based care. Spending on CTPs/skin subs is not the only fraud problem faced by Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs),...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 3, 2024 | Pressure Cooker: Rethinking Pressure Ulcers
Don’t watch this video unless you want to have a different conversation about the origin of severe pressure ulcers… Caroline Fife, M.D.Dr. Fife is a world renowned wound care physician dedicated to improving patient outcomes through quality driven care....
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 2, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitute Arrests, CTP / Skin Substitutes
I’ve discussed the fact that nearly everyone is being audited by Medicare on their charges for Cellular Tissue Products (CTP’s) / Skin Substitutes. Depending on the type of audit, a practitioner can have to pay back not only the money they received for the...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 1, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight, Obesity & Wound Care
An abstract presented in Madrid at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) suggests that when obese people lose weight, they may be less likely to develop a serious infection. That is particularly true for individuals with...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 25, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight, Miscellaneous Musings
I’ve talked before about my experience developing severe anemia from both iron and B12 deficiency. It happened so gradually that I was breathless just carrying on a conversation before I finally decided I needed medical attention! It’s embarrassing to admit this...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 23, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight, Healthcare Payment Policy, The Patient's Voice
Patricia Han is a retired nurse with very serious health challenges who struggles with chronic wounds. She’s written articles about Medicare Advantage vs. regular Medicare for patients with wounds, as well as what she wishes every wound care practitioner knew (see...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 20, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes
Some days ago, I asked if it was legal for practitioners to make large profits off the cost of CTPs/skin subs – and the answer seems to be “yes”. Of course, I knew that no reputable attorney was going to send me a considered legal opinion on social media. I am still...
