by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Oct 1, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight
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
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...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 18, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitute Arrests
Hi Dr. Fife, I’m sure you’re receiving plenty of feedback on this topic, but regarding your question about whether providers can receive discounts on ASP products, I’ve consistently been told the answer is yes… at least, I hope it’s yes—otherwise, we’re all in...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 17, 2024 | Fight the Good Fight, Miscellaneous Musings
Today is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Suicide among physicians is a shockingly big problem. Suicide is usually the result of a long sequence of negative and self-defeating thoughts. It’s what happens after you lose “the battle in your mind.” I admit...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 16, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes, Fight the Good Fight
Joe Rolly posted a fantastic article explaining the pathways by which various CTPs/skin subs come to market, and what that means in terms of the claims that sales representatives can make. Because amniotic products are the fastest growing sector of the market, I am...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 13, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes, Fight the Good Fight
I am genuinely trying to understand what is “allowed” and what isn’t when it comes to CTPs/skin subs in the office-based and “mobile”. Everyone has heard about what happened to the owners of a CTP/skin sub company in Arizona. I am trying to understand the scenario...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 12, 2024 | Healthcare Payment Policy
Starting Nov. 18, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will no longer pay physicians for outpatient or inpatient consultations when they report those services with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 99242 – 99245 and 99252 – 99255. According to...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Sep 10, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes, Fight the Good Fight
I am genuinely trying to understand what is “allowed” and what isn’t when it comes to Cellular Tissue Products (CTPs) / skin substitutes in the office-based setting – and that includes the “mobile” practice (which may include skilled nursing and care in the patient’s...
