Treating Acne in the Age of Managed Care
February 14th, 2010
Treating Acne in the Age of Managed Care
Patient Referrals
o The gatekeeper system might retard access to dermatologists and other specialists.
o Financial penalties might contribute to why primary care physicians sometimes do not refer patients to dermatologists.
o Another contributing element when patients are not referred to dermatologists is that some primary care physicians might see acne as a disease that is not very serious or important.
o More patients than previously might be treated by their primary care doctor rather than by a dermatologist. Primary care physicians might treat acne according to guidelines created by the managed care companies rather than selecting more individualized treatment for apiece patient. This is not the most effective way to treat acne.
o Due to the gatekeeper system, patients might move longer periods of time before seeing a dermatologist. This can result in worsened acne or scarring.
Limitations on Care
o Some managed care companies will not pay for acne surgery, or they require a predetermination before such treatment.
o Managed care companies set up formularies and make it difficult for dermatologists to prescribe medications outside the formulary, even when that therapy might be better.
o In some cases, managed care companies will grant only a certain number of visits to a specialist, then the patient must return to his or her primary care physician.
Cost Effectiveness
o A treatment is cost-effective if it clears the disorder much more readily, and the patient sees the doctor for fewer visits.
o Cost-effectiveness is a function of the correct medication being given to a specific patient, who uses it in the correct way.
o When patients must select between less costly drugs that are on managed care formularies and more costly ones that the doctor thinks are best, they often select the less costly ones.
o Managed care companies pay dermatologists lower fees than they received previously.
o By preventing the doctor from utilizing the best therapies, managed care companies might increase the cost of treatment due to an increased number of visits and medications.
Retinoids
o Most acne patients can benefit from using a topical retinoid, today’s gold standard of treatment.
o Retin-A is on the formularies of many managed care companies, even though it is more irritating than other retinoids.
o Some managed care companies prohibit prescribing Retin-
Women who could benefit from Retin-A therapy for their acne are sometimes denied this treatment by managed care companies.
The Patient/Doctor Relationship
o Education, which is very important in getting patients to stay with treatments in the long term, is sometimes affected by managed care companies; physicians must see more patients and don’t have the time to spend with apiece individual person.
o When patients change dermatologists due to a change in managed care company, they often want treatment
Acne treatments
Acne treatment best rated acne products. Clear pores natural acne treatments products for skin care. Which acne treatments work? See the acne treatments reviews.
Treating acne naturally involves using antibacterial products regularly, changing pillow cases often, drinking plenty of water and exfoliating the face to remove dead skin cells. Care for acne-prone skin naturally withbeauty advice from a certified aesthetician in this free video on skin care. Expert: Kelli LaBar Bio: Kelli LaBar is a practicing aesthetician and makeup artist in Wilmington, NC Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC
Video Rating: 4 / 5
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