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Academy News: May 2005
Lay Organizations
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Immune Deficiency Foundation
40 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 308
Towson, MD 21204
Phone (800) 296-4433
www.primaryimmune.org |
 IDF hosts IGIV reimbursement roundtable
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) causing the reimbursement rate and its administration of Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV) in all non-hospital provider settings to be reduced by more than 15%, as compared to the 2004 rate. This has forced Medicare patients to obtain their infusions in unfamiliar hospital settings and from unknown healthcare providers who may not be knowledgeable in the administration of IGIV.
To address these issues, 100 providers attended an IGIV Reimbursement Roundtable breakfast hosted by the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) at the 2005 AAAAI Annual Meeting in San Antonio. The Roundtable provided information on the new reimbursement formula under Medicare, the changes that can occur to improve reimbursement, the different rates in different sites of care, and how to work with CMS and Congress to reform the new average sale price formula.
Effective April 1, Medicare no longer pays IGIV billing code J1563. This applies to all treatment settings under Medicare Part A and Part B. All providers should now bill Medicare using one of the two new “Q” codes that separately define lyophilized and non-lyophilized (liquid) IGIV products. The new codes and prices are as follows: Q9941, IGIV lyophilized, 1 gram, $39.138, and Q9943, IGIV non-lyophilized, 1 gram, $56.355.
As a result of the Reimbursement Roundtable, the AAAAI Primary Immunodeficiency Committee unanimously voted to classify IGIV as a biologic response modifier therapy. If approved by the American Medical Association’s (AMA) RUC Committee, this could lead to more adequate reimbursement for physicians administering IGIV.
IDF realizes that the current Medicare rates are unacceptable, and IGIV cannot be purchased at these rates. We are committed to working with CMS to find a short-term solution and Congress to find a longer-term resolution for the reimbursement system for IGIV. IDF advocates that physicians and patients should decide what site of care is best based on clinical appropriateness and individual circumstances, and reimbursement should never dictate where a patient receives an IGIV infusion.
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Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone (800) 929-4040
Fax (703) 691-2713
www.foodallergy.org |
 Physicians honored for contributions to food allergy education, care
Joshua S. Jacobs, MD, Walnut Creek, CA; Mark Holbreich, MD, FAAAAI, Carmel, IN; and Michael C. Young, MD, FAAAAI, Weymouth, MA, have all received the distinguished FAAN Mariel C. Furlong Award for Making a Difference, with honors in the health care category. John W. Yunginger, MD, FAAAAI, Rochester, MN, is the recipient of the FAAN Founder's Award. Yunginger has been instrumental in spearheading FAAN's research program and serves on FAAN's Research Advisory Board.
Food Allergy Awareness Week
The 8th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week will be observed nationwide May 8-14. This year's theme is "Be SAFE: Symptoms matter, Act quickly, Food label reading a must, Educate others." This theme is part of FAAN's major education and awareness initiative to ensure that Americans with food allergies develop a healthy and safe lifestyle, and that others around them understand the serious nature of food allergies. For further information and materials to share with your patients, visit FAAN's Web site, www.foodallergy.org.
Landmark restaurant legislation passed
A landmark law pertaining to restaurants and food allergies was passed in New Jersey in January. The new law (P.L.2005, c.26) calls on the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to distribute a fact sheet to local boards of health. Ultimately directed at restaurant managers and staff, the fact sheet explains nut allergies, and the importance of conducting a public information campaign about food allergies and anaphylaxis. FAAN will be collaborating with the DHSS as the agency carries out the provisions of the new law. Similar legislation has been introduced in Connecticut and North Carolina.
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1233 20th St. NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20036
Phone (202) 466-7643
Fax (202) 466-8940
www.aafa.org |
 Research: disparities report
A new report by AAFA and the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) documents disparities in the burden and treatment of blacks and Puerto Ricans with asthma, including potential hereditary, environmental and socioeconomic factors, as well as efforts underway to lessen these disparities. Among blacks and Puerto Ricans, and especially among children, rates of asthma prevalence, hospitalizations and deaths are higher when compared to whites. Rates in the use of long-term medications to control asthma are lower. Access to quality care is hampered by socioeconomic disparities, shortages of primary care physicians in minority communities, language and literacy barriers, and beliefs about the role and usefulness of medications. Download the entire report at www.aafa.org, or contact Mo Mayrides, AAFA Director of Public Policy, for more information at mo@aafa.org or (202) 466-7643, x273.
Education: free asthma cards
AAFA has developed free QuickAllergy and QuickAsthma resource cards for parents, patients and caregivers. The QuickAllergy cards cover topics such as “Your EpiPen - Storage, Usage and Disposal” and “Allergy Emergencies - Is This Anaphylaxis?” They are heavy-duty, 5"x7" cards that are ready for you to personalize with prescription and physician information. The QuickAsthma cards, covering topics like “Peak Flow-to-Go” and “Secrets of Spacers,” are made the same and ready to personalize. Order a supply of these and other materials for your patients at www.aafa.org.
Advocacy: prescription assistance
AAFA is participating in the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), an initiative to help patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need. The PPA brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors and other healthcare providers, patient advocates, and community leaders. Patients may call a toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) or visit the Web site, www.pparx.org, to learn about more than 275 public and private patient assistance programs. To learn more about AAFA advocacy efforts, visit our Web site at www.aafa.org.
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Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
2751 Prosperity Ave., Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone 800-878-4403
Fax (703) 573-7794
www.aanma.org
E-mail aanma@aol.com |
 CHASM petitions FDA to better protect patients
On March 24, the Consumer Health Alliance for Safe Medication (CHASM) submitted a citizen petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to enforce public safeguards relating to the promotion and dispensing of unapproved respiratory medications. CHASM is calling for greater transparency from pharmacy manufacturers of compounded (mixed in a pharmacy) respiratory drugs.
Convened by AANMA, CHASM is a coalition of nine patient and professional healthcare associations, including the AAAAI, working to ensure patients with respiratory conditions have access to safe and effective medications, and are protected from products that may pose unwarranted risks.
CHASM’s citizen petition seeks to ensure that compounding pharmacy manufacturers fulfill their obligation under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. This legislation requires manufacturers to disclose essential and non-misleading information in all labeling and advertising for compounded aqueous-based drugs for inhalation, so patients and prescribers are aware of the potential risks. How can you protect patients? Visit www.breatherville.org or call (800) 878-4403.
Asthma Awareness Day
Each day, patients and medical care professionals lose more control over personal healthcare decisions. AANMA’s 8th annual Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill, held on May 4, was created to protect patient access to specialty care and safe, effective asthma and allergy medications. Learn more at www.breatherville.org/cityhall.
Medications and pregnancy
AANMA is working with the AAAAI to establish a systematic approach to post-marketing surveillance for the safety of asthma and allergy medications used in pregnancy. The working title for the project is Asthma and Allergy Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System (AAMPSS).
 The American Latex Allergy Association (A.L.E.R.T., Inc.) has teamed up with MedicAlert Foundation International to prevent and mitigate the debilitating, potentially fatal consequences of latex exposure in the workplace, healthcare, school and home environments. The following collaborative goals have been developed:
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Increase public and professional awareness of latex allergy, and provide expert educational resources and support
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Enable timely latex allergy prevention, diagnosis and treatment
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Promote latex-free policies and practices at state and institutional levels, especially in schools, work environments and healthcare facilities
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Increase the availability of research data to inform evidenced-based practice related to latex allergy
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Enhance capacity to advocate for individuals at risk for latex allergy
Goals focus on four target populations:
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Workers at risk for developing latex exposure and experiencing latex-related adverse medical events
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Children and their caregivers
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Low-income and/or special-needs children and adults
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Public policy decision-makers
Five priority areas for intervention include:
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Schools - A school resource manual is in development and will incorporate professional education credits for school nurses. It will be piloted in Wisconsin, then distributed nationwide.
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Sponsored MedicAlert memberships - Funding developed to provide at-risk, low-income, special- needs children and adults access to MedicAlert identifiers and services. A discount is offered for latex-allergic persons seeking membership.
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Occupational health and safety - An occupationally based, latex-allergy-awareness program will be developed and promoted in conjunction with Latex Allergy Awareness Week in October.
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Professional education - Accredited educational programs for latex allergy developed for healthcare providers, starting with the school nurse program.
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Policy and research - Pursue a marketing campaign, model laws and funding to provide research, fellowships and recognition awards to exemplary individuals concerned with latex allergy.
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The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders
3419 Whispering Way Drive
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone (713) 498-8216
Fax (281) 238-9436
www.apfed.org
E-mail beth@apfed.org |
 New Web site launched
APFED’s newly-designed Web site was launched in January. The address, www.apfed.org, remains the same, but the content and appearance have changed dramatically. Both physicians and their patients will find comprehensive, easy-to-read information on eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS). The information, as well as the resources, is fully printable and accessible in multiple languages.
APFED Patient Education Conference
The third APFED Patient Education Conference is July 15-17 in Cincinnati, OH. The first day will focus on hypereosinophilic syndromes, and the last two days will highlight eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. This year’s conference will feature new sections on pathology, allergy, nutrition and clinical trials. In addition, sessions will focus on adult and pediatric issues, with discussion groups and a new section on the psychology of living with a chronic illness. The conference is open to both the professional and lay communities. Further information and registration are available on the APFED Web site.
New educational materials
APFED’s newest educational materials are nearing completion. These materials include disease specific brochures on EE, EGE, HES and CSS. There will also be an “About APFED” brochure and a more comprehensive 10-12-page booklet on eosinophilic disorders. In addition, a children’s book will be available soon that is specifically geared toward educating young children and their peers. Once available, APFED will begin a national distribution effort beginning in summer 2005. Any physicians interested in receiving these new materials should contact APFED at mail@apfed.org.
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