Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It strikes one in five Americans and accounts for one-third of all U.S. cancer diagnoses. But, skin cancer is “cancer that patients can see,” and when detected early, it’s highly treatable.
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As thermostats turn up, clocks turn back and the calendar turns toward the holidays, ’tis the season for cold, blustery air and dry, flaky skin.
The good news is, November is Healthy Skin Month.
While the interconnectedness between eczema – a chronic inflammatory skin disease – and mental health conditions – notably anxiety and depression – is indisputable, it is also manageable.
Before the pandemic, I assumed that dermatological care needed to be provided in person. Using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that is no longer the case.
The ever-changing insurance landscape impacts access to eczema care and treatment. We’ll help you sort things out.
Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, provides insight into how and why insurance companies implement non-medical therapeutic switching and what health care providers can do to mitigate its impact on patient care.
Health insurance companies use various approaches to cut costs.
As a result, your insurer may not cover certain treatments prescribed to you or may require you to take a number of steps before your treatment is approved.
Learn more here.
After spending time and money to see a dermatologist, many patients with acne fail to fill their prescription. Cost sharing is the culprit, according to a recently published study.
Data published in the Journal of Rheumatology revealed that 27% of patients with psoriatic arthritis who had experience with biologics and/or small-molecule agents reported barriers to treatment, with the most common hurdles being coverage ineligibility and high out-of-pocket costs.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease that affects children and adults. Until recently, the only Food and Drug Administration–approved systemic treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe AD was systemic steroids, which are not recommended by current guidelines and are commonly associated with disease rebound.
In 2016/2017 ESC undertook a quality of life insights project to better understand the burden of living with atopic dermatitis, the quality of life impact, and the needs of those living with atopic dermatitis.
From The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
The Derma Care Access Network (DCAN) recently elected Adam Friedman, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, as president of the organization, which advocates for patients who face challenges in getting access to dermatological medications.
DCAN, founded in early 2016, sponsors educational advocacy initiatives and educational programs with the aim of promoting policymaking centered on access to therapies and clinical care in the dermatology field. Stakeholders in the organization include patients, physicians, researchers, and patient advocates; Friedman has been a member since the organization’s inception.
“I am honored to be elected president of this rapidly expanding organization,” Friedman said. “The work DCAN is doing to support patients is incredibly important, and I look forward to advocating for policies that will advance the field of dermatology.”
Friedman said his primary goal is to “advocate for public policy that overcomes barriers limiting patient access to approved treatments and appropriate clinical care for a broad array of skin conditions.”
To accomplish this goal, he said, DCAN will raise awareness about step therapy, prior authorizations, medical switching, and other barriers to access among physicians, members of the industry, policymakers, and patients through educational programming. That programming will include white papers, media engagement, and medical conference engagement, he added.
DCAN is a subgroup of the Alliance for Patient Access, a national network of physicians dedicated to ensuring patient access to approved therapies and appropriate clinical care.
” The Atopic Dermatitis Yardstick is part of a series developed in response to the need to proactively address the loss of disease control for atopic illnesses at all levels of severity
This October Eczema Awareness Month, groups and advocates from across the healthcare landscape are taking action to raise awareness for patients living with eczema and severe atopic dermatitis. Millions of Americans suffer from the burden of this disease, and this month presents an opportunity to help tell the story of the unmet medical need they continue to face.
Here are a few helpful resources that can be used to raise awareness:
Eczema Matters
Eczema Matters is a central resource with up-to-date information on treatments, patient stories, therapy breakthroughs and more.
Eczema Resource Center
Eczema Resource Center discusses the types of eczema/dermatitis with detail on symptoms, causes, treatment, and tips on how to manage eczema.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Resource
Atopic Dermatitis Resources provides an overview of eczema, from symptoms of eczema, how it is diagnosed, and treatment and management of eczema. It also features a link to a Asthma and Allergies Symptom Test.
Eczema in Children
Eczema in Children provides information on how eczema affects children.
Eczema Exposed
Eczema Exposed features a discussion guide to help start a conversation with a provider and a tool that helps you find a dermatologist or allergist in your area.
Overcoming Barriers to Dermatological Treatment White Paper
“Overcoming Barriers to Dermatological Treatment” that dives into various skin conditions (including eczema) and how it is difficult for patients to obtain treatment.
About Eczema
About Eczema site that features information on eczema, how to identify it, typical treatments, environmental risks, and other common issues.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Page
About Eczema site provides helpful overview about what eczema is and how to identify it.
Webinar Wednesdays
Webinar Wednesdays: Ongoing educational webinars with world-class medical experts discussing the latest in disease management, research, treatments and related information you need to live well with eczema.
From Practical Dermatology
Eight biologic drugs (not to mention three biosimilars) are currently approved to treat psoriasis and there is a greater understanding within the medical community that this disease goes more than skin deep. We are nearing a tipping point, but even with all this progress, still more is needed to improve the quality of life for the 7.5 million people in the United States who live with this disease.
Practical Dermatology® asked some thought leaders to share what they wish for to further advance care of these patients.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE from Practical Dermatology.