Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Dermatology Reports 4/2023

15-08-2023 | Allergic Contact Dermatitis | REVIEW

The Future of Patch Testing: Reimbursement Models, Workforce Shortages, and Negotiating in the House of Medicine

Authors: Isha Joshi, Alexandra Flamm

Published in: Current Dermatology Reports | Issue 4/2023

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Patch testing is critical to diagnosing allergic contact dermatitis; however, there are barriers that can prevent prompt comprehensive access, including those affecting reimbursement, insurer challenges, and workforce shortages.

Recent Findings

Multiple reimbursement models exist within various practice types for patch testing. Insurer limits remain a barrier to comprehensive patch testing in many situations; however, advocacy in this area has led to some improvements. Workforce shortages, within medicine overall, as well as in dermatology and contact dermatitis specialists continue to be a concern. Overall, there are multiple ways to engage in advocacy at the local, state, and national levels to help improve patient access to comprehensive patch testing.

Summary

Patch testing is a vital component of appropriate care for allergic contact dermatitis patients. Challenges to ensuring access to patch testing include reimbursement and physician workforce shortages. Advocacy is crucial to addressing these areas, and physician involvement in advocacy efforts is necessary to ensure high-level patient care.
Literature
7.
go back to reference •• Zhu TH, Suresh R, Farahnik B, Jeon C, Warshaw E, Scheinman P, et al. Survey of patch test business models in the United States by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Dermatitis: contact, atopic, occupational, drug. 2018;29(2):85–88. This paper reviews the major patch test reimbursement models utilized by contact dermatitis experts. •• Zhu TH, Suresh R, Farahnik B, Jeon C, Warshaw E, Scheinman P, et al. Survey of patch test business models in the United States by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Dermatitis: contact, atopic, occupational, drug. 2018;29(2):85–88. This paper reviews the major patch test reimbursement models utilized by contact dermatitis experts.
9.
go back to reference Warshaw EM. Reimbursement for patch testing at academic centers: the Achilles’ heel of academic contact dermatitis specialists. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14:215-216. Warshaw EM. Reimbursement for patch testing at academic centers: the Achilles’ heel of academic contact dermatitis specialists. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14:215-216.
10.
go back to reference Ogbechie-Godec OA, Mostaghimi A, Nambudiri VE. Skin in the game: existing and upcoming physician payment models in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79(1):175–7.CrossRefPubMed Ogbechie-Godec OA, Mostaghimi A, Nambudiri VE. Skin in the game: existing and upcoming physician payment models in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79(1):175–7.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference • Rodriguez-Homs LG, Taylor J, Liu B, Green CL, Brod B, Jacob SE, et al. Patch test practice patterns of members of the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Dermatitis: contact, atopic, occupational, drug. 2020;31(4):272–275. This paper highlights the use of expanded patch testing by contact dermatitis experts and its importance in the accurate diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. • Rodriguez-Homs LG, Taylor J, Liu B, Green CL, Brod B, Jacob SE, et al. Patch test practice patterns of members of the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Dermatitis: contact, atopic, occupational, drug. 2020;31(4):272–275. This paper highlights the use of expanded patch testing by contact dermatitis experts and its importance in the accurate diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis.
18.
go back to reference CE Wheeler Jr briggaman RA, Caro I. Shortage of full-time faculty in dermatology Arch Dermatol. 1977;113(3):297-301. CE Wheeler Jr briggaman RA, Caro I. Shortage of full-time faculty in dermatology Arch Dermatol. 1977;113(3):297-301.
21.
go back to reference • IHS Markit Ltd. The complexities of physician supply and demand: projections from 2019 to 2034. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). 2021. https://www.aamc.org/media/54681/download . This reports highlights trends in the physician workforce and concerns for physician shortages in the near future. • IHS Markit Ltd. The complexities of physician supply and demand: projections from 2019 to 2034. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). 2021. https://​www.​aamc.​org/​media/​54681/​download . This reports highlights trends in the physician workforce and concerns for physician shortages in the near future.
29.
go back to reference Konda, S., Francis, J., Motaparthi, K., Grant-Kels, J. M., & Group for Research of Corporatization and Private Equity in Dermatology. Future considerations for clinical dermatology in the setting of 21st century American policy reform: corporatization and the rise of private equity in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(1):287-296.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.09.052.CrossRef Konda, S., Francis, J., Motaparthi, K., Grant-Kels, J. M., & Group for Research of Corporatization and Private Equity in Dermatology. Future considerations for clinical dermatology in the setting of 21st century American policy reform: corporatization and the rise of private equity in dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(1):287-296.e8. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​jaad.​2018.​09.​052.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The Future of Patch Testing: Reimbursement Models, Workforce Shortages, and Negotiating in the House of Medicine
Authors
Isha Joshi
Alexandra Flamm
Publication date
15-08-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Dermatology Reports / Issue 4/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4933
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-023-00398-5

Other articles of this Issue 4/2023

Current Dermatology Reports 4/2023 Go to the issue