Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
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During the past decade, a variety of federal regulations have had a significant impact on the way allergen immunotherapy is reimbursed and how Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are used for this purpose. As mandated by the US Congress, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) targeted immunotherapy codes for scrutiny, because they are some of the most frequently used codes. ⋯ Federal regulations have significantly affected reimbursement for allergy immunotherapy and other allergy services. Allergists need to be aware of these changes and implement the new recommendations into their practices.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Feb 2006
Emergency department visits for asthma: the role of frequent symptoms and delay in care.
Use of the emergency department (ED) for asthma care is a costly form of health care that is largely preventable. However, little is known about how to reduce the number of people using the ED for asthma care. ⋯ Results suggest that to prevent ED visits for asthma, it is important to control asthma symptoms. However, it is equally if not more important to reduce delays in receiving asthma care.
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Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. · Feb 2006
Asthma hospitalizations in the state of Qatar: an epidemiologic overview.
An increasing trend in asthma morbidity and mortality has been reported in a number of countries, including New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Italy, the United States, and Asia; however, no previous studies have evaluated the trend in admission and epidemiology of asthma in the state of Qatar. ⋯ For asthma patients in Qatar, the hospitalization rate is below the recommended Healthy People 2000 goal and the mortality rate is low.