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December 2015
Vol. 2, Issue: 7
 

-Practice & Policy Matters-

Call for Comments: Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction Practice Parameter Update
The Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters invites you to review and comment on the draft exercise-induced bronchoconstriction practice parameter update now available. Send your comments, including page and line number references, to grupes355@gmail.com no later than January 4.

ICD-10 Coding Resources, Questions and Answers
A new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guide features webcasts, and medical and interactive case studies, including one interactive case study on asthma. Check your ICD-10 coding practices using this tool.

Save the Date: 2016 Practice Management Workshop
Looking for monumental ideas? The AAAAI Practice Management Workshop is a unique AAAAI annual event that focuses on the day to day issues that all A/I physicians face—whether in solo private practice, a multi-specialty group or the academic setting. It is specifically programmed by practicing allergists for practicing allergists. Mark your calendars now for the 2016 Practice Management Workshop July 22-24 in Washington, DC. Registration will open March 1.

Watch the New AAAAI QCDR Webinar
The AAAAI Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Quality Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) in collaboration with CECity is a CMS approved registry for the 2015 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program year. The AAAAI QCDR is the only PQRS reporting option with allergen immunotherapy measures available for reporting and is designed as a practice improvement tool. There is a new webinar about the AAAAI's QCDR which shows how the registry works, what is required for PQRS and how to select measures. If you use ModuleMD or NextGen systems, your electronic medical record is already connected to the registry and ready to pull data. Allscripts and Aprima systems are also in the process of connecting. If you use another system, there are data definition and data template files that you can use to upload the data from your system into the registry. Using these data tools, it is not too late to participate as an individual-eligible professional in PQRS for 2015.

-Advocacy Matters-

Draft USP Update Would Change In-Office Compounding
The Board of Directors of the AAAAI has become aware that the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has released an updated draft of requirements for Pharmaceutical Compounding: Sterile Preparations for public comment. This draft omits the chapter on allergen immunotherapy extract compounding requirements it previously included. The impact of this omission, if finalized, has the potential to make compounding of allergy immunotherapy extracts extremely difficult and burdensome, the result of which is the very real consequence of limiting patient access to this proven therapeutic modality for management of patients with allergic diseases.

The AAAAI and ACAAI are working together to address this proposed change. As these are draft guidelines open for public comment, AAAAI members are encouraged to submit comments to the USP regarding the safety and efficacy of allergen immunotherapy as practiced following the current USP 797 provisions. Watch for more information on the draft and on submitting comments to arrive in your email next week, or visit the USP update site here.

Practice Changers

We have partnered with the editors of JACI: In Practice to bring you monthly "Practice Changers" from recently published journal articles.

Highlighting cutting-edge information keeps you current and assists you in educating patients and physicians who rely on the expertise of our specialty!

Albuterol Overuse: A Marker of Psychological Distress? By Joe K. Gerald, MD, PhD, et al. 

Albuterol overuse is common among patients with asthma and is associated with worse health outcomes. Gerald et al. examined albuterol use among 416 adults with mild asthma and found 25% overused albuterol. Compared to expected users, over-users reported more asthma symptoms, lower asthma-related quality-of-life, and more depression symptoms despite similar lung function and prior healthcare use. Unexpectedly, albuterol use on symptom free days accounted for the majority of overuse. While most were adherent to controller medication, non-adherent participants were twice as likely to report depression symptoms. Additional study is warranted to understand depression's impact on asthma medication use and subsequent health outcomes.

Click here to read the abstract.

The editors of JACI: In Practice are offering a call for papers for the following upcoming 2016 issue themes:

  • March/April: Food allergy
  • May/June: Mold allergy
  • July/August: Chronic rhinosinusitis phenotypes
  • September/October: Medication adherence in asthma and COPD
  • November/December: Immunodeficiency disorders

If you have unpublished research that fits any of these themes, the editors invite you to submit manuscripts at the submission site. JACI: In Practice covers the spectrum of diseases in the allergy/immunology specialty, with an emphasis on practical clinical research and the latest recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Any questions regarding the submissions process or specific manuscripts can be sent to InPractice@njhealth.org.

AAAAI Advocacy Impacts CGS LCD 32553
At the AAAAI's request, CGS, a Medicare Area Contractor (MAC) recently corrected an error in ICD-10 mapping for its Local Coverage Determination (LCD) 32553. CGS will add asthma codes to LCD L32553, including the ICD-10 codes: J45.21, J45.22, J45.31, J45.32, J45.41, J45.42, J45.51, and J45.52 mapped from Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 95115, 95117 and 95145-95180. These CPT codes reflect allergy testing and immunotherapy services. In addition, the seventh character "D" will be added for the range of T63.421 through T63.464. Previously denied claims should be re-submitted.

New Webinar to Cover the Future of CMS and Private Payment
Are you familiar with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), Merit-Based Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs)? Attend a new webinar presented by the AAAAI Advocacy Committee January 27 at 9 pm ET to better understand these terms and how they will impact you. Titled "MACRA: MIPS and APMs -- The Future of CMS and Private Payment," this webinar will include quality reporting requirements for 2016 and how it is anticipated that quality reporting and its implications on payment, in regards to both Medicare and private payers, will evolve in 2017 and beyond. The webinar will be moderated by Advocacy Committee Chair Andrew Murphy, MD, FAAAAI, and features Emily Graham, RHIA, CCS-P, of Hart Health Strategies. Hart Health is one of the two firms the AAAAI works with on advocacy efforts.

-RSL Matters-

Election of New AAAAI Leadership
If you are a Fellow or full member of the AAAAI, you should have received an email December 1 with a link to the online voting site where you can democratically elect new leadership to the AAAAI Board of Directors. A paper copy of the ballot was also mailed to all eligible voters. This is the culmination of months of work by the Nominating Committee to present to you, the members of the AAAAI, the most qualified individuals to lead the AAAAI into the future. This is YOUR chance to choose the future leadership of the AAAAI. The election closes on January 5, 2016 at 5 pm CT.

Board of Directors Regional Webinar
Several weeks ago, the AAAAI Board of Directors held its second Regional Webinar. During this hour webinar, AAAAI members in the Midwest, Mid-South, Rocky Mountain and Western Regions were provided updates on recent AAAAI activities and had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the At- Large Board members who represent the RSL constituency. Moving into 2016, we will continue this webinar program.

AAAAI Foundation RSL Fundraising Challenge Coming in 2016
The ARTrust™ has undergone a metamorphosis and is now the AAAAI Foundation. With this change in name and leadership comes new ideas and challenges. In 2016 the AAAAI Foundation will be offering a fundraising challenge to the RSLs. The RSL who raises the most money for the AAAAI Foundation will be rewarded with a waiver of CME accreditation through the AAAAI for one of their local educational programs in 2017. This prize is valued at $2,500 and is made possible by the AAAAI in cooperation with the AAAAI Foundation. More information on the specifics of this program will be forthcoming in early 2016.

2016 RSLAAIS Assembly Forum to Focus on the Future of Allergy Practice
Allergy/immunology thought leaders will speak about the future of allergy/immunology practice at the AAAAI RSLAAIS Assembly Forum and Business Meeting during the 2016 AAAAI Annual Meeting, Friday, March 4 from 4:45 to 6:30 pm. This year's forum will focus on several areas of practice including the future application of technology, healthcare payment systems strategies, quality measures, future practice frameworks and the role of academic allergy in community practice. This session is open to all AAAAI members.

Attend the Next JACI: In Practice Virtual Journal Club
The JACI: In Practice in conjunction with the AAAAI New Allergist/Immunologist Assembly (NAIA) is pleased to announce the next Virtual Journal Club on January 13 at 9:00 pm ET. The Virtual Journal Club is a one hour live webinar open to all AAAAI members that focuses on the newest clinically relevant content published in JACI: In Practice. The presenters will review research relevant to your allergy/immunology practice in an interactive format. Note: these webinars have not been approved for CME credit.

 

Looking for past issues of Practice Matters? An archive is available at: aaaai.org/practicematters

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