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...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 17, 2024 | Do the Right Thing: Thoughts on Quality, Fight the Good Fight, Healthcare Payment Policy, US Wound Registry
It’s almost time! Join us today for our exclusive webinar, “Quality Measures: Why they don’t mean anything, but maybe everything.” Dec 17 | 4 PM EST Click Here to Register Caroline Fife, M.D.Dr. Fife is a world renowned wound care physician dedicated to...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 16, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products, CTP / Skin Substitutes, The Patient's Voice
This email inquiry is from a real patient who is a retired nurse. I can answer some of her questions but not all of them, particularly the ones around when a patient might be required to sign an ABN for skin subs. I will post any helpful answers that you send...
by Caroline Fife, M.D. | Dec 13, 2024 | Cellular / Tissue-Based Products
CGS J15 Webinar on Skin Substitute Grafts/Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Venous Leg Ulcers Join the CGS Chief Medical Officer on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM Eastern Time to review the following...
