by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Jan 13, 2025 | Fight the Good Fight
WHATLEY KALLAS TO HOST WEBINARS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ON HOW TO SUBMIT CLAIMS IN THE $2.8 BILLION BCBS ANTITRUST SETTLEMENT – Whatley Kallas Whatley Kallas, LLP, who served as co-lead counsel on behalf of medicine in the recent Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Jan 13, 2025 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitute Arrests
The CGS J15 Contractor Medical Directors have given me permission to share the slide deck that was presented on December 20th, which was a training session on the upcoming “skin sub” LCD. This PDF of the slide deck reviews the LCD requirements for the treatment of...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Jan 10, 2025 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitute Arrests
According to data obtained from SmartTrak Medical Device and Wound Market Intelligence, in the third quarter of 2024 (Q324), the US Skin Substitute / Cellular Tissue Product (CTP) market reached $1.75 BILLION. That figure is up 64.0% compared to the third quarter of...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Jan 8, 2025 | Fight the Good Fight, Miscellaneous Musings
Yes, I admit it, what I find interesting often seems sort of random. The outward manifestation of my thought processes appears as organized as the typical sock drawer, but bear with me. I am interested in the whole topic of “off-label” use of drugs and devices since...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Jan 6, 2025 | Fight the Good Fight
Congress left for the holidays without addressing the 2.83% pay cut for doctors. The American Medical Association (AMA) and many other physician organizations have lobbied for a permanent, inflation-based payment update as recommended by the Medicare Payment Advisory...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 31, 2024 | Miscellaneous Musings
As 2024 closes, I am grateful to all of you for your interest in my random observations. If you need a New Year’s resolution for 2025, read The Undoing Project: a Friendship that Changed Our Minds. The book explores the partnership of Israeli psychologists Daniel...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 30, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitute Arrests
According to data obtained from SmartTrak Medical Device and Wound Market Intelligence, in the fourth quarter of 2024 ( Q424), the US Cellular Tissue Product (CTP) / Skin Substitute market grew 64.0% over the third quarter of 2023 (Q323). Three market leaders combined...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 23, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight, Nutrition & Wound Healing
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) just released a report on Medicaid spending for 10 selected diabetes and 2 weight loss drugs which showed that spending substantially increased from $1.5 billion in 2019 to $9.4 billion in 2023 (a 540% increase). From 2019 to...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 20, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes
On December 10th, the Medicare Administrative Contactors (MACs) held a virtual Town Hall meeting to discuss Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Skin Substitutes / Cellular Tissue Products that goes into effect on February 12, 2025. The MAC medical directors spent...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 18, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released its annual report on fraud and abuse for the 2023 fiscal year. The lengthy report includes one account related to CTPs/skin subs which I mentioned in a previous blog when it happened. A Beverly Hills, California, plastic...
