Photo by Larry Young

SAN FRANCISCO—Researchers say they have identified new driver genes and oncogenic pathways in hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL).

The team found that SETD2, a known tumor suppressor, was the most frequently silenced gene in HSTL.

The researchers also found evidence suggesting the JAK-STAT and PI3K pathways could be therapeutic targets in HSTL.

Sandeep Dave, MD, of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, presented these findings at the 9th Annual T-cell Lymphoma Forum. Results from this research were also published in Cancer Discovery.

The researchers collected complete clinical data on 68 HSTL cases, including 20 with normal DNA. The team performed whole-genome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and biological characterization of these cases.

“This is the largest group of HSTL cases ever described, and the data implicate new driver genes and oncogenic pathways for the first time in HSTL,” Dr Dave said.

The data revealed that the most commonly mutated group of genes in HSTL are chromatin modifiers (SETD2, INO80, ARID1B, TET3, and SMARCA2) and signaling pathway genes (STAT5B, STAT3, and PIK3CD). Among these, STAT3, PIK3CD, and SETD2 showed the highest proportion of clonal events.

On the other hand, mutations in EZH2, KRAS, and TP53 were less frequently observed.

Common genetic abnormalities in HSTL include copy number alterations in chromosome 7, trisomy 8, loss of 10p, and gain of 1q.

A comparison of the frequencies of recurrently mutated genes in HSTL with other lymphomas demonstrated the genetically distinct profile of HSTL, wherein mutations in SETD2, INO80, TET3, and STAT5B occurred exclusively in HSTL.

SETD2, a histone lysine methyltransferase and a known tumor suppressor, was identified as the most frequently silenced gene in HSTL.

So the researchers investigated the biological effects of SETD2 loss in HSTL cells and a knockout mouse model.

While loss of SETD2 in HSTL cells resulted in increased cell proliferation, in vivo knockdown of SETD2 led to expansion of γ-δ T cells and a reduction in α-β T cells. A majority of HSTLs are known to arise predominantly from γ-δ T cells.

“These results implicate SETD2 in HSTL oncogenesis and T-cell development,” Dr Dave said.

He and his colleagues also found that constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT and PI3K pathways in HSTL cells was associated with increased proliferation, and inhibition of these pathways led to reduced survival of HSTL cells. This suggests that agents targeting these pathways might be effective in treating HSTL.

Photo by Larry Young

SAN FRANCISCO—Researchers say they have identified new driver genes and oncogenic pathways in hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL).

The team found that SETD2, a known tumor suppressor, was the most frequently silenced gene in HSTL.

The researchers also found evidence suggesting the JAK-STAT and PI3K pathways could be therapeutic targets in HSTL.

Sandeep Dave, MD, of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, presented these findings at the 9th Annual T-cell Lymphoma Forum. Results from this research were also published in Cancer Discovery.

The researchers collected complete clinical data on 68 HSTL cases, including 20 with normal DNA. The team performed whole-genome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and biological characterization of these cases.

“This is the largest group of HSTL cases ever described, and the data implicate new driver genes and oncogenic pathways for the first time in HSTL,” Dr Dave said.

The data revealed that the most commonly mutated group of genes in HSTL are chromatin modifiers (SETD2, INO80, ARID1B, TET3, and SMARCA2) and signaling pathway genes (STAT5B, STAT3, and PIK3CD). Among these, STAT3, PIK3CD, and SETD2 showed the highest proportion of clonal events.

On the other hand, mutations in EZH2, KRAS, and TP53 were less frequently observed.

Common genetic abnormalities in HSTL include copy number alterations in chromosome 7, trisomy 8, loss of 10p, and gain of 1q.

A comparison of the frequencies of recurrently mutated genes in HSTL with other lymphomas demonstrated the genetically distinct profile of HSTL, wherein mutations in SETD2, INO80, TET3, and STAT5B occurred exclusively in HSTL.

SETD2, a histone lysine methyltransferase and a known tumor suppressor, was identified as the most frequently silenced gene in HSTL.

So the researchers investigated the biological effects of SETD2 loss in HSTL cells and a knockout mouse model.

While loss of SETD2 in HSTL cells resulted in increased cell proliferation, in vivo knockdown of SETD2 led to expansion of γ-δ T cells and a reduction in α-β T cells. A majority of HSTLs are known to arise predominantly from γ-δ T cells.

“These results implicate SETD2 in HSTL oncogenesis and T-cell development,” Dr Dave said.

He and his colleagues also found that constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT and PI3K pathways in HSTL cells was associated with increased proliferation, and inhibition of these pathways led to reduced survival of HSTL cells. This suggests that agents targeting these pathways might be effective in treating HSTL.

Photo by Larry Young

SAN FRANCISCO—Researchers say they have identified new driver genes and oncogenic pathways in hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL).

The team found that SETD2, a known tumor suppressor, was the most frequently silenced gene in HSTL.

The researchers also found evidence suggesting the JAK-STAT and PI3K pathways could be therapeutic targets in HSTL.

Sandeep Dave, MD, of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, presented these findings at the 9th Annual T-cell Lymphoma Forum. Results from this research were also published in Cancer Discovery.

The researchers collected complete clinical data on 68 HSTL cases, including 20 with normal DNA. The team performed whole-genome sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and biological characterization of these cases.

“This is the largest group of HSTL cases ever described, and the data implicate new driver genes and oncogenic pathways for the first time in HSTL,” Dr Dave said.

The data revealed that the most commonly mutated group of genes in HSTL are chromatin modifiers (SETD2, INO80, ARID1B, TET3, and SMARCA2) and signaling pathway genes (STAT5B, STAT3, and PIK3CD). Among these, STAT3, PIK3CD, and SETD2 showed the highest proportion of clonal events.

On the other hand, mutations in EZH2, KRAS, and TP53 were less frequently observed.

Common genetic abnormalities in HSTL include copy number alterations in chromosome 7, trisomy 8, loss of 10p, and gain of 1q.

A comparison of the frequencies of recurrently mutated genes in HSTL with other lymphomas demonstrated the genetically distinct profile of HSTL, wherein mutations in SETD2, INO80, TET3, and STAT5B occurred exclusively in HSTL.

SETD2, a histone lysine methyltransferase and a known tumor suppressor, was identified as the most frequently silenced gene in HSTL.

So the researchers investigated the biological effects of SETD2 loss in HSTL cells and a knockout mouse model.

While loss of SETD2 in HSTL cells resulted in increased cell proliferation, in vivo knockdown of SETD2 led to expansion of γ-δ T cells and a reduction in α-β T cells. A majority of HSTLs are known to arise predominantly from γ-δ T cells.

“These results implicate SETD2 in HSTL oncogenesis and T-cell development,” Dr Dave said.

He and his colleagues also found that constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT and PI3K pathways in HSTL cells was associated with increased proliferation, and inhibition of these pathways led to reduced survival of HSTL cells. This suggests that agents targeting these pathways might be effective in treating HSTL.

Having experienced the devastating effects of the “kissing bug” in September 2016, “Chagas Disease: Creeping into Family Practice” (2016;26[11]:38-45) was a timely article for me. I am writing to thank the authors for giving my case more credence and to issue a note of caution: People may have a strong reaction to the bite of this bug and therefore assume it to be from a spider. In some cases, including my own, bite-related anaphylaxis can send a person to the emergency department. After being bitten, I lost consciousness, fell down a flight of stairs, and sustained a bimalleolar fracture of my right ankle that required surgery. I later found the bug and submitted it to the CDC for testing; it was infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease.

I want others to be aware that severe allergic reactions can result from the bite of a beetle-like bug, such as the kissing bug. I am taking it upon myself to educate my patients and colleagues and have also employed an exterminator for my home. If a person is bitten by this cone-nosed, prehistoric-looking bug, it should not be touched, but it should be collected and kept in the freezer until it can be sent to the CDC. If the bug is found to be positive for the parasite, an antibody test should then be performed on the affected person. I am lucky that my antibody test came back negative for the disease.

Constance Wylie, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Sacramento, CA

Having experienced the devastating effects of the “kissing bug” in September 2016, “Chagas Disease: Creeping into Family Practice” (2016;26[11]:38-45) was a timely article for me. I am writing to thank the authors for giving my case more credence and to issue a note of caution: People may have a strong reaction to the bite of this bug and therefore assume it to be from a spider. In some cases, including my own, bite-related anaphylaxis can send a person to the emergency department. After being bitten, I lost consciousness, fell down a flight of stairs, and sustained a bimalleolar fracture of my right ankle that required surgery. I later found the bug and submitted it to the CDC for testing; it was infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease.

I want others to be aware that severe allergic reactions can result from the bite of a beetle-like bug, such as the kissing bug. I am taking it upon myself to educate my patients and colleagues and have also employed an exterminator for my home. If a person is bitten by this cone-nosed, prehistoric-looking bug, it should not be touched, but it should be collected and kept in the freezer until it can be sent to the CDC. If the bug is found to be positive for the parasite, an antibody test should then be performed on the affected person. I am lucky that my antibody test came back negative for the disease.

Constance Wylie, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Sacramento, CA

Having experienced the devastating effects of the “kissing bug” in September 2016, “Chagas Disease: Creeping into Family Practice” (2016;26[11]:38-45) was a timely article for me. I am writing to thank the authors for giving my case more credence and to issue a note of caution: People may have a strong reaction to the bite of this bug and therefore assume it to be from a spider. In some cases, including my own, bite-related anaphylaxis can send a person to the emergency department. After being bitten, I lost consciousness, fell down a flight of stairs, and sustained a bimalleolar fracture of my right ankle that required surgery. I later found the bug and submitted it to the CDC for testing; it was infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease.

I want others to be aware that severe allergic reactions can result from the bite of a beetle-like bug, such as the kissing bug. I am taking it upon myself to educate my patients and colleagues and have also employed an exterminator for my home. If a person is bitten by this cone-nosed, prehistoric-looking bug, it should not be touched, but it should be collected and kept in the freezer until it can be sent to the CDC. If the bug is found to be positive for the parasite, an antibody test should then be performed on the affected person. I am lucky that my antibody test came back negative for the disease.

Constance Wylie, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Sacramento, CA

Throughout my 12 years of practice, I have struggled with my delegated authority as a PA in relation to the autonomy of my NP colleagues. Most of the time, I enjoy the PA-physician relationship and see it as a mentoring program, not unlike residency. But after a decade of practice, I find myself occasionally wishing for the ability to hang out a shingle and run my own practice. I often feel taken advantage of by physician employers who reap surplus value from my labor without much appreciation.

So, what could a new model look like? Upon completion of a 5- to 8-year residency, PAs would be eligible to take a post-residency board exam and gain independent practice status. This would be limited to nonsurgical practice and might include family medicine, urgent care, dermatology, and emergency medicine. After passing the board, PAs would gain the ability to practice as an independent entity and treat patients without supervision.

Personally, I would appreciate this flexibility. After 10 years of working in orthopedics, I am now solely in urgent care and locum tenens. Independent status would give PAs the ability to compete with NPs for locum positions where independent practitioners are needed, as well as increase their negotiating/earning potential and range of volunteer opportunities.

Robert Feinberg, PA-C
Bryn Mawr, PA

Throughout my 12 years of practice, I have struggled with my delegated authority as a PA in relation to the autonomy of my NP colleagues. Most of the time, I enjoy the PA-physician relationship and see it as a mentoring program, not unlike residency. But after a decade of practice, I find myself occasionally wishing for the ability to hang out a shingle and run my own practice. I often feel taken advantage of by physician employers who reap surplus value from my labor without much appreciation.

So, what could a new model look like? Upon completion of a 5- to 8-year residency, PAs would be eligible to take a post-residency board exam and gain independent practice status. This would be limited to nonsurgical practice and might include family medicine, urgent care, dermatology, and emergency medicine. After passing the board, PAs would gain the ability to practice as an independent entity and treat patients without supervision.

Personally, I would appreciate this flexibility. After 10 years of working in orthopedics, I am now solely in urgent care and locum tenens. Independent status would give PAs the ability to compete with NPs for locum positions where independent practitioners are needed, as well as increase their negotiating/earning potential and range of volunteer opportunities.

Robert Feinberg, PA-C
Bryn Mawr, PA

Throughout my 12 years of practice, I have struggled with my delegated authority as a PA in relation to the autonomy of my NP colleagues. Most of the time, I enjoy the PA-physician relationship and see it as a mentoring program, not unlike residency. But after a decade of practice, I find myself occasionally wishing for the ability to hang out a shingle and run my own practice. I often feel taken advantage of by physician employers who reap surplus value from my labor without much appreciation.

So, what could a new model look like? Upon completion of a 5- to 8-year residency, PAs would be eligible to take a post-residency board exam and gain independent practice status. This would be limited to nonsurgical practice and might include family medicine, urgent care, dermatology, and emergency medicine. After passing the board, PAs would gain the ability to practice as an independent entity and treat patients without supervision.

Personally, I would appreciate this flexibility. After 10 years of working in orthopedics, I am now solely in urgent care and locum tenens. Independent status would give PAs the ability to compete with NPs for locum positions where independent practitioners are needed, as well as increase their negotiating/earning potential and range of volunteer opportunities.

Robert Feinberg, PA-C
Bryn Mawr, PA

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to read an editorial that portrays PA autonomy in a positive light (2017;27[2]:12-14). I live in Michigan, and the physician I worked with for years is relieved to finally see laws changing for PAs. Physicians want less accountability, as they are carrying so much already. The phrase “supervising physician” can feel burdensome, particularly because of its implications in a court of law. When I took time off to spend with my kids, the physician I worked with hired two NPs; he said that their increased drive for autonomy made him feel less legally responsible. The new bill passed here has altered his thinking about hiring PAs versus NPs.

I believe eventually, with increased practice authority, a title change is inevitable for the PA profession. According to my 14–year-old niece, “PAs obviously can’t do anything by themselves, or their title wouldn’t be ‘assistant.’” This is truly a misnomer that doesn’t reflect the PA scope of practice.

Diana Burmeister, PA-C
Southfield, MI

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to read an editorial that portrays PA autonomy in a positive light (2017;27[2]:12-14). I live in Michigan, and the physician I worked with for years is relieved to finally see laws changing for PAs. Physicians want less accountability, as they are carrying so much already. The phrase “supervising physician” can feel burdensome, particularly because of its implications in a court of law. When I took time off to spend with my kids, the physician I worked with hired two NPs; he said that their increased drive for autonomy made him feel less legally responsible. The new bill passed here has altered his thinking about hiring PAs versus NPs.

I believe eventually, with increased practice authority, a title change is inevitable for the PA profession. According to my 14–year-old niece, “PAs obviously can’t do anything by themselves, or their title wouldn’t be ‘assistant.’” This is truly a misnomer that doesn’t reflect the PA scope of practice.

Diana Burmeister, PA-C
Southfield, MI

I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to read an editorial that portrays PA autonomy in a positive light (2017;27[2]:12-14). I live in Michigan, and the physician I worked with for years is relieved to finally see laws changing for PAs. Physicians want less accountability, as they are carrying so much already. The phrase “supervising physician” can feel burdensome, particularly because of its implications in a court of law. When I took time off to spend with my kids, the physician I worked with hired two NPs; he said that their increased drive for autonomy made him feel less legally responsible. The new bill passed here has altered his thinking about hiring PAs versus NPs.

I believe eventually, with increased practice authority, a title change is inevitable for the PA profession. According to my 14–year-old niece, “PAs obviously can’t do anything by themselves, or their title wouldn’t be ‘assistant.’” This is truly a misnomer that doesn’t reflect the PA scope of practice.

Diana Burmeister, PA-C
Southfield, MI

I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of patient satisfaction (2017;27[1]:13-14). When I became an NP in 1986, I worked in rural areas as the primary provider. My patients trusted that I cared for them and in the best way possible. A lot changed with the internet—Google became the primary care provider, and I became the consultant. Expressions of gratitude and respect from patients have been replaced by entitlement to services mandated by them. I have had patients bring in requests for diagnostic studies and further work-up for which there is no clinical evidence of need. They have their minds made up; if I am noncompliant, there is something wrong with me.

I have been reported to administration for being rude, insensitive, and incompetent. Now, I am not perfect, but most of these complaints were a result of me saying “no.” I was initially shocked by these demands and complaints, but they have become the new normal. Precious care time has been replaced by explanations and discussions about why I can’t do what patients want me to do.

Many providers give in to patients’ desires just to keep them happy and coming back. Unnecessary antibiotics, misuse of controlled pain medication, and pointless diagnostic studies have drained insurance and kept providers from just doing what is right. Big corporations run many medical practices, and unfortunately their main goal is to keep the doors open—even if that means compromising evidence-based medicine.

We have a generation of entitled people who become offended when you disagree with them. Many administrators transfer patient complaints to providers so that they will toe the line but fail to include pertinent information, such as what the complaint was and who filed it. This is a control technique; the provider is now automatically guilty, without a trial or defense.

I am blessed to work for a company that agrees that if concern is expressed, I have the right, as the provider, to know the details. If I am perceived as rude or abrupt, then knowing who feels that way can help me improve. Upon that patient’s next visit, I will adopt a gentler attitude and make an extra effort to pick up on cues that I may have missed.

Sometimes, patients express dissatisfaction because I will not dispense a controlled substance for pain upon request. My administration allows me to respond to situations like this in writing, and they can then verify that the complaint is unwarranted, and it will not be held against me or used as a control tactic. This approach has been so helpful. The company I work for also informs providers when patients express gratitude and thankfulness, which creates a great balance.

Surveys can be useful, but only if they are used as a tool to help the provider excel at his/her job—not create compliance for maintaining the patient head count. Providers should not have to worry about pleasing administration; they need to give quality care without fear.

Sue Beebe, APRN
Wichita, KA

I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of patient satisfaction (2017;27[1]:13-14). When I became an NP in 1986, I worked in rural areas as the primary provider. My patients trusted that I cared for them and in the best way possible. A lot changed with the internet—Google became the primary care provider, and I became the consultant. Expressions of gratitude and respect from patients have been replaced by entitlement to services mandated by them. I have had patients bring in requests for diagnostic studies and further work-up for which there is no clinical evidence of need. They have their minds made up; if I am noncompliant, there is something wrong with me.

I have been reported to administration for being rude, insensitive, and incompetent. Now, I am not perfect, but most of these complaints were a result of me saying “no.” I was initially shocked by these demands and complaints, but they have become the new normal. Precious care time has been replaced by explanations and discussions about why I can’t do what patients want me to do.

Many providers give in to patients’ desires just to keep them happy and coming back. Unnecessary antibiotics, misuse of controlled pain medication, and pointless diagnostic studies have drained insurance and kept providers from just doing what is right. Big corporations run many medical practices, and unfortunately their main goal is to keep the doors open—even if that means compromising evidence-based medicine.

We have a generation of entitled people who become offended when you disagree with them. Many administrators transfer patient complaints to providers so that they will toe the line but fail to include pertinent information, such as what the complaint was and who filed it. This is a control technique; the provider is now automatically guilty, without a trial or defense.

I am blessed to work for a company that agrees that if concern is expressed, I have the right, as the provider, to know the details. If I am perceived as rude or abrupt, then knowing who feels that way can help me improve. Upon that patient’s next visit, I will adopt a gentler attitude and make an extra effort to pick up on cues that I may have missed.

Sometimes, patients express dissatisfaction because I will not dispense a controlled substance for pain upon request. My administration allows me to respond to situations like this in writing, and they can then verify that the complaint is unwarranted, and it will not be held against me or used as a control tactic. This approach has been so helpful. The company I work for also informs providers when patients express gratitude and thankfulness, which creates a great balance.

Surveys can be useful, but only if they are used as a tool to help the provider excel at his/her job—not create compliance for maintaining the patient head count. Providers should not have to worry about pleasing administration; they need to give quality care without fear.

Sue Beebe, APRN
Wichita, KA

I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of patient satisfaction (2017;27[1]:13-14). When I became an NP in 1986, I worked in rural areas as the primary provider. My patients trusted that I cared for them and in the best way possible. A lot changed with the internet—Google became the primary care provider, and I became the consultant. Expressions of gratitude and respect from patients have been replaced by entitlement to services mandated by them. I have had patients bring in requests for diagnostic studies and further work-up for which there is no clinical evidence of need. They have their minds made up; if I am noncompliant, there is something wrong with me.

I have been reported to administration for being rude, insensitive, and incompetent. Now, I am not perfect, but most of these complaints were a result of me saying “no.” I was initially shocked by these demands and complaints, but they have become the new normal. Precious care time has been replaced by explanations and discussions about why I can’t do what patients want me to do.

Many providers give in to patients’ desires just to keep them happy and coming back. Unnecessary antibiotics, misuse of controlled pain medication, and pointless diagnostic studies have drained insurance and kept providers from just doing what is right. Big corporations run many medical practices, and unfortunately their main goal is to keep the doors open—even if that means compromising evidence-based medicine.

We have a generation of entitled people who become offended when you disagree with them. Many administrators transfer patient complaints to providers so that they will toe the line but fail to include pertinent information, such as what the complaint was and who filed it. This is a control technique; the provider is now automatically guilty, without a trial or defense.

I am blessed to work for a company that agrees that if concern is expressed, I have the right, as the provider, to know the details. If I am perceived as rude or abrupt, then knowing who feels that way can help me improve. Upon that patient’s next visit, I will adopt a gentler attitude and make an extra effort to pick up on cues that I may have missed.

Sometimes, patients express dissatisfaction because I will not dispense a controlled substance for pain upon request. My administration allows me to respond to situations like this in writing, and they can then verify that the complaint is unwarranted, and it will not be held against me or used as a control tactic. This approach has been so helpful. The company I work for also informs providers when patients express gratitude and thankfulness, which creates a great balance.

Surveys can be useful, but only if they are used as a tool to help the provider excel at his/her job—not create compliance for maintaining the patient head count. Providers should not have to worry about pleasing administration; they need to give quality care without fear.

Sue Beebe, APRN
Wichita, KA

ORLANDO – Confused about what MACRA, MIPS, and APMs mean for you and your practice this year?

Clifford Lober, MD, offered some very simple advice at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology: “If you take nothing else from this annual meeting – not this session, but the whole meeting – submit one quality measure or one improvement activity or the required advancing care information base measures – one time, on one patient” to the MIPS program, Dr. Lober said. “If you do that, you will save 4% of your Medicare payments in 2019.”*

• Choose to not participate. These physicians will see an automatic 4% reduction in their Medicare payments in 2019.
• Test QPP. Report on one quality measure or improvement activity for one patient. Of note: This information does not have to be submitted electronically; paper submission is okay. These physicians will avoid the 4% Medicare pay cut.
• Participate for part of the year. These physicians will report for 90 consecutive days of their choice on more than one quality measure, more than one improvement activity, or more than the required measures in the advancing care information performance category. Reporting must start before Oct. 2, 2017. These physicians may earn a pay increase.*
• Participate for the full year. Submit a full year of data to Medicare. These physicians may get a pay increase.

Dr. Lober said pointedly, “The first choice – doing nothing – is the dumbest move you could make.”

He also noted that the CMS regulations say verbatim that “positive adjustments are based on data on the performance information submitted, not the amount of information or the length of time submitted.”

A few physicians and other clinicians are exempted from the QPP for 2017. Those who are in their first year of participating in Medicare Part B are exempt, as are those who bill less than $30,000 or have fewer than 100 Medicare patients.*

“The low-value exemption alone, CMS actuaries think, will exempt 32.5% of clinicians in the United States – a huge exemption,” Dr. Lober said, adding that when it comes to dermatologists, it’s estimated that about 18.3% will be exempt from MIPS.

Despite the new political landscape in Washington, Dr. Lober said that he does not think MACRA will go away.

“One of the things I want to say out front is, what is the likelihood of MACRA being repealed?” he said. “Somewhere between slim and none or even none and none. It was supported by both Democrats and Republicans and I think it’s here to stay. It might be modified, but it’s here to stay.”

He urged physicians to reach out to CMS if they have comments about the MIPS, APMs, and the Quality Payment Program, noting that despite the formal comment period being closed, agency officials have been receptive to comments and suggestions.

*This article was updated on March 13, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

[email protected]

On Twitter @denisefulton

ORLANDO – Confused about what MACRA, MIPS, and APMs mean for you and your practice this year?

Clifford Lober, MD, offered some very simple advice at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology: “If you take nothing else from this annual meeting – not this session, but the whole meeting – submit one quality measure or one improvement activity or the required advancing care information base measures – one time, on one patient” to the MIPS program, Dr. Lober said. “If you do that, you will save 4% of your Medicare payments in 2019.”*

• Choose to not participate. These physicians will see an automatic 4% reduction in their Medicare payments in 2019.
• Test QPP. Report on one quality measure or improvement activity for one patient. Of note: This information does not have to be submitted electronically; paper submission is okay. These physicians will avoid the 4% Medicare pay cut.
• Participate for part of the year. These physicians will report for 90 consecutive days of their choice on more than one quality measure, more than one improvement activity, or more than the required measures in the advancing care information performance category. Reporting must start before Oct. 2, 2017. These physicians may earn a pay increase.*
• Participate for the full year. Submit a full year of data to Medicare. These physicians may get a pay increase.

Dr. Lober said pointedly, “The first choice – doing nothing – is the dumbest move you could make.”

He also noted that the CMS regulations say verbatim that “positive adjustments are based on data on the performance information submitted, not the amount of information or the length of time submitted.”

A few physicians and other clinicians are exempted from the QPP for 2017. Those who are in their first year of participating in Medicare Part B are exempt, as are those who bill less than $30,000 or have fewer than 100 Medicare patients.*

“The low-value exemption alone, CMS actuaries think, will exempt 32.5% of clinicians in the United States – a huge exemption,” Dr. Lober said, adding that when it comes to dermatologists, it’s estimated that about 18.3% will be exempt from MIPS.

Despite the new political landscape in Washington, Dr. Lober said that he does not think MACRA will go away.

“One of the things I want to say out front is, what is the likelihood of MACRA being repealed?” he said. “Somewhere between slim and none or even none and none. It was supported by both Democrats and Republicans and I think it’s here to stay. It might be modified, but it’s here to stay.”

He urged physicians to reach out to CMS if they have comments about the MIPS, APMs, and the Quality Payment Program, noting that despite the formal comment period being closed, agency officials have been receptive to comments and suggestions.

*This article was updated on March 13, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

[email protected]

On Twitter @denisefulton

ORLANDO – Confused about what MACRA, MIPS, and APMs mean for you and your practice this year?

Clifford Lober, MD, offered some very simple advice at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology: “If you take nothing else from this annual meeting – not this session, but the whole meeting – submit one quality measure or one improvement activity or the required advancing care information base measures – one time, on one patient” to the MIPS program, Dr. Lober said. “If you do that, you will save 4% of your Medicare payments in 2019.”*

• Choose to not participate. These physicians will see an automatic 4% reduction in their Medicare payments in 2019.
• Test QPP. Report on one quality measure or improvement activity for one patient. Of note: This information does not have to be submitted electronically; paper submission is okay. These physicians will avoid the 4% Medicare pay cut.
• Participate for part of the year. These physicians will report for 90 consecutive days of their choice on more than one quality measure, more than one improvement activity, or more than the required measures in the advancing care information performance category. Reporting must start before Oct. 2, 2017. These physicians may earn a pay increase.*
• Participate for the full year. Submit a full year of data to Medicare. These physicians may get a pay increase.

Dr. Lober said pointedly, “The first choice – doing nothing – is the dumbest move you could make.”

He also noted that the CMS regulations say verbatim that “positive adjustments are based on data on the performance information submitted, not the amount of information or the length of time submitted.”

A few physicians and other clinicians are exempted from the QPP for 2017. Those who are in their first year of participating in Medicare Part B are exempt, as are those who bill less than $30,000 or have fewer than 100 Medicare patients.*

“The low-value exemption alone, CMS actuaries think, will exempt 32.5% of clinicians in the United States – a huge exemption,” Dr. Lober said, adding that when it comes to dermatologists, it’s estimated that about 18.3% will be exempt from MIPS.

Despite the new political landscape in Washington, Dr. Lober said that he does not think MACRA will go away.

“One of the things I want to say out front is, what is the likelihood of MACRA being repealed?” he said. “Somewhere between slim and none or even none and none. It was supported by both Democrats and Republicans and I think it’s here to stay. It might be modified, but it’s here to stay.”

He urged physicians to reach out to CMS if they have comments about the MIPS, APMs, and the Quality Payment Program, noting that despite the formal comment period being closed, agency officials have been receptive to comments and suggestions.

*This article was updated on March 13, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

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ORLANDO – Not quite a fifth of teens experience excessive, uncontrollable sweating, according to the results of an online survey presented during this year’s annual American Academy of Dermatology.

Because nearly 70% of teens who reported the condition said it interferes with their activities of daily living, late-breaking research presenter, Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology at the University of Texas, Houston, said it was time medical schools paid more attention to it.

Miyuki-3/Thinkstock

ORLANDO – Not quite a fifth of teens experience excessive, uncontrollable sweating, according to the results of an online survey presented during this year’s annual American Academy of Dermatology.

Because nearly 70% of teens who reported the condition said it interferes with their activities of daily living, late-breaking research presenter, Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology at the University of Texas, Houston, said it was time medical schools paid more attention to it.

Miyuki-3/Thinkstock

ORLANDO – Not quite a fifth of teens experience excessive, uncontrollable sweating, according to the results of an online survey presented during this year’s annual American Academy of Dermatology.

Because nearly 70% of teens who reported the condition said it interferes with their activities of daily living, late-breaking research presenter, Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology at the University of Texas, Houston, said it was time medical schools paid more attention to it.

Miyuki-3/Thinkstock

ORLANDO – A teletriage app significantly reduced the time between triage and evaluation by a dermatologist, helping a volunteer-staffed clinic for the uninsured see more patients and improve rates of accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Peter Chansky, a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, presented the data on a study of the app during a late-breaking research session at this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Whitney McKnight/Frontline Medical News

ORLANDO – A teletriage app significantly reduced the time between triage and evaluation by a dermatologist, helping a volunteer-staffed clinic for the uninsured see more patients and improve rates of accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Peter Chansky, a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, presented the data on a study of the app during a late-breaking research session at this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Whitney McKnight/Frontline Medical News

ORLANDO – A teletriage app significantly reduced the time between triage and evaluation by a dermatologist, helping a volunteer-staffed clinic for the uninsured see more patients and improve rates of accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Peter Chansky, a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, presented the data on a study of the app during a late-breaking research session at this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Whitney McKnight/Frontline Medical News

ORLANDO – There are ways to assess the psychosocial needs of your patients with vitiligo, even if you don’t believe you have the necessary skills to do a complete mental health work-up, according to Seemal R. Desai, MD.

In an interview recorded at this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Desai, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Texas, Dallas, shares his ideas for how to have casual conversations with patients that can help reveal important clues to psychosocial stress patients with this serious medical skin condition might be facing.

“There are subtle clues to look for to know that these patients are uncomfortable with others seeing their skin,” says Dr. Desai.

In the video interview, he also covers taking a multidisciplinary approach to caring for these patients, what treatments are available to those who are suffering psychosocial stress after having failed several interventions, and how patients from many Asian and African counties are especially at risk for ostracization.

“It’s important to let your patients know that you understand this is really affecting them psychosocially, and that you care,” says Dr. Desai.

ORLANDO – There are ways to assess the psychosocial needs of your patients with vitiligo, even if you don’t believe you have the necessary skills to do a complete mental health work-up, according to Seemal R. Desai, MD.

In an interview recorded at this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Desai, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Texas, Dallas, shares his ideas for how to have casual conversations with patients that can help reveal important clues to psychosocial stress patients with this serious medical skin condition might be facing.

“There are subtle clues to look for to know that these patients are uncomfortable with others seeing their skin,” says Dr. Desai.

In the video interview, he also covers taking a multidisciplinary approach to caring for these patients, what treatments are available to those who are suffering psychosocial stress after having failed several interventions, and how patients from many Asian and African counties are especially at risk for ostracization.

“It’s important to let your patients know that you understand this is really affecting them psychosocially, and that you care,” says Dr. Desai.

ORLANDO – There are ways to assess the psychosocial needs of your patients with vitiligo, even if you don’t believe you have the necessary skills to do a complete mental health work-up, according to Seemal R. Desai, MD.

In an interview recorded at this year’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Desai, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Texas, Dallas, shares his ideas for how to have casual conversations with patients that can help reveal important clues to psychosocial stress patients with this serious medical skin condition might be facing.

“There are subtle clues to look for to know that these patients are uncomfortable with others seeing their skin,” says Dr. Desai.

In the video interview, he also covers taking a multidisciplinary approach to caring for these patients, what treatments are available to those who are suffering psychosocial stress after having failed several interventions, and how patients from many Asian and African counties are especially at risk for ostracization.

“It’s important to let your patients know that you understand this is really affecting them psychosocially, and that you care,” says Dr. Desai.

ATLANTA – Peanut sublingual immunotherapy induces clinically significant desensitization in the majority of subjects and can induce sustained unresponsiveness in a subset of children treated for 36-60 months, results from a small study suggest.

“Sublingual immunotherapy [SLIT] is an easy-to-administer treatment that appears to be safe, and with extended treatment, may provide a clinically significant amount of protection with the potential for a lasting effect,” one of the study authors, Edwin H. Kim, MD, said in an interview in advance of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Doug Brunk/Frontline Medical News

ATLANTA – Peanut sublingual immunotherapy induces clinically significant desensitization in the majority of subjects and can induce sustained unresponsiveness in a subset of children treated for 36-60 months, results from a small study suggest.

“Sublingual immunotherapy [SLIT] is an easy-to-administer treatment that appears to be safe, and with extended treatment, may provide a clinically significant amount of protection with the potential for a lasting effect,” one of the study authors, Edwin H. Kim, MD, said in an interview in advance of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Doug Brunk/Frontline Medical News

ATLANTA – Peanut sublingual immunotherapy induces clinically significant desensitization in the majority of subjects and can induce sustained unresponsiveness in a subset of children treated for 36-60 months, results from a small study suggest.

“Sublingual immunotherapy [SLIT] is an easy-to-administer treatment that appears to be safe, and with extended treatment, may provide a clinically significant amount of protection with the potential for a lasting effect,” one of the study authors, Edwin H. Kim, MD, said in an interview in advance of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Doug Brunk/Frontline Medical News