New CPT Chronic Disease Management Code 99490
The new Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will allow for reimbursement for chronic care management services (CCM).
News
Osteoporosis predisposes to higher risk of sudden deafness
Patients with osteoporosis had a significantly higher risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) than those without osteoporosis, according to the first and largest Asian population-based study to demonstrate a relationship between the two conditions.
Patient's fat cells transplanted to treat OA may be effective
Those who suffer from OA may one day have a new and effective cell therapy, thanks to a team of Czech researchers who studied the effectiveness of using an OA patient’s own adipose (fat) cells in a unique transplant therapy aimed at reducing the symptoms of this prevalent and difficult to treat c
Poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics - NY State
Between 1999 and 2013 opiate-related deaths nearly quadrupled, with the death rate rising from 1.4 to 5.1 deaths per 100,000. These alarming statistics have lead to greater regulation and oversight to opiate use.
Finally! How a cracking knuckle makes noise.
Is it the making of a bubble, or the popping of it? Now we know.
Chikungunya rises in the US and Worldwide
The chikungunya epidemic has grown significantly in the Western hemisphere with an additional 3,000 cases worldwide during the past week.
Psoriatic Arthritis Has a New FDA Approved DMARD - Apremilast
In March 2014 the FDA approved apremilast (Otezla) for use in psoriatic arthritis based on three large"Palace" trials involving 1493 psoriatic arthritis patients. This ACR Hotline reviews the drugs use, efficacy, and toxicity.
Hemophagocytic Syndrome in Adults
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH) is a rare complication of many disorders. In children, systemic JIA is by far the most common cause of HLH.
Celebrex Goes Generic
The generic drug manufactuer Actavis joins Teva and Mylan with their lauch of celecoxib (Celebrex)in 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg capsules. In 2013 celecoxib was the 21st leading prescribed drug in the U.S. with $2.4 billion in sales as of mid 2014.
Night-time Gout Onset is Not Related to Alcohol or Purine Intake
Gout's often told tale of a nocturnal rapid onset and dramatic pain provoked by a bed sheet, is studied in detail by Choi and the Boston online gout study. This report shows that more than half the attacks occur late night and are unrelated to alcohol or purine intake.
Wait a minute: how much to develop a new drug?
Older estimates suggested it would cost $1 billion to develop a new drug. ThisNY Times article discusses newer estimates claiming it cost 2.6 billion to bring a new drug to market.
Generic drug prices soar
Congress investigates why the price of more than 1,200 generic medications increased an average 448% betweeen 2013-2014.http://buff.ly/1v56VUt
