The AAAAI COVID-19 Response Task Force: Providing Resources and Support
As part of our efforts to provide resources and support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAAAI formed a COVID-19 Response Task Force, which was charged with:
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Monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the practicing allergist/immunologist, academic divisions of allergy/immunology and fellows-in-training.
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Serving as a rapid response team to address and communicate urgent issues related to the practice of allergy/immunology in the context of the pandemic.
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Developing and disseminating information and resources critical to the practice of A/I in the face of the pandemic and its aftermath.
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Working with Hart Health Strategies to assure the voice of the A/I community is heard at the state and federal level to address issues related to expanding coverage for telehealth services nationwide, home infusion services, potential risk for shortages of critical medications/supplies, financial impact of the pandemic on practices, etc.
The AAAAI would like to acknowledge and thank all of the members of the COVID-19 Response Task Force:
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Paul V. Williams, MD, FAAAAI (Chair of the Advocacy Committee and Board member) – Task Force Chair
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Andrew W. Murphy, MD, FAAAAI (Chair of the Office of Practice Management)
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Sharon B. Markovics, MD, FAAAAI (Vice Chair of the Office of Practice Management, Board member)
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James H. Sussman, DO, FAAAAI (Chair of the RSL Assembly, member of the Office of Practice Management)
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Priya J. Bansal, MD, FAAAAI (Chair of the Practice Management Committee)
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Frank S. Virant, MD, FAAAAI (Board member)
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Mitchell H. Grayson, MD, FAAAAI (Scientific guidance, academic institution representative)
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David R. Stukus, MD, FAAAAI (Social Media Medical Editor)
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Thomas A. Fleisher, MD, FAAAAI (Executive Vice President) – Ex Officio
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Mary Beth Fasano, MD, MSPH, FAAAAI (President) – Ex Officio
Please continue to send any comments or questions for the COVID-19 Response Task Force to practicematters@aaaai.org.
Practice Management Tip of the Month: Be Aware of In Vitro Allergy Testing Reimbursement Limitations
Recent review of payer policies on in vitro allergy testing reveals several limitations to using these tests in lieu of or in addition to skin testing. Be sure to document in the medical record why you are doing such testing instead of skin tests or in addition to skin tests. If the payer decides not to pay, the patient may come to you for reimbursement unless you have them sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice. Also, you should be aware of the annual limits that insurers put on these tests (usually in the 20-25 test range, but sometimes up to 35).
The Practice Management Tip of the Month is a feature that appears in Practice Matters, the AAAAI’s semimonthly newsletter with information and resources tailored for the practicing allergist. If you are an AAAAI member and have not been receiving Practice Matters, contact practicematters@aaaai.org.
Read This Featured Coding Question from Practice Matters
Question: Can CPT® 99211 be billed as a nurse visit for telemedicine?
Answer: If the components of CPT® 99211, defined as "Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient that may not require the presence of a physician. Usually, the presenting problem(s) are minimal,” are met, this code can be charged. This visit must be documented in the chart notes, and noted as a telehealth visit, place of service 02.*
*Coding for telemedicine services is done using the corresponding codes for an in-person E/M visit, but with the -95 modifier (synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system) appended. Place of service should be designated as “02”. Some private payers permit telemedicine visits for new patients; check with your private payers. Smart phones with audio and video capabilities may be used during this crisis.
If you have a coding question of your own, send it to coding@aaaai.org. A coding question is also featured in every issue of Practice Matters.
Put Your Atopic Dermatitis Knowledge to the Test
Atopic dermatitis is common, affecting up to 30% of children and up to 10% of adults in industrialized nations, and it’s likely you’ve received referrals, especially for patients with more severe cases. It’s a complicated disease, and perhaps you’ve struggled to make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Together with The France Foundation, the AAAAI is pleased to present Updates in Atopic Dermatitis: The Allergist's Guide to Optimizing Care. This new educational initiative is intended for non-dermatology specialists and designed to increase knowledge, competence and confidence in the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis.
There are two courses—one focusing on adults, the other on infants and children—packed with interactive content. Immersive, practical, and personalized to your needs, they are designed to boost your confidence and skills, with the ultimate goal of improving care of your patients with atopic dermatitis. These new courses are ideal not just for the practicing allergist/immunologist, but also for fellows-in-training, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other allied health professionals.
A companion article to this CME activity, packed with practical information about diagnosing, assessing and treating atopic dermatitis, was recently published by JACI: In Practice. It is a non-CME supplement to the material you will find in the courses.
Access the Updates in Atopic Dermatitis: The Allergist's Guide to Optimizing Care courses at education.aaaai.org/ADUpdates.
Updates in Atopic Dermatitis is supported by an educational grant from Pfizer.
Lay Organizations.
The AAAAI places a high value on its relationships with patient advocacy organizations in support of our mutual concern for the needs of people with allergy, asthma and immunologic disease and their families. In particular, the AAAAI has an ongoing relationship with a group of organizations with whom we partner on various projects as needs and opportunities arise. We encourage you to visit these organizations’ websites for more information on their initiatives and missions.
Allergy & Asthma Network
American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
Alaska Chapter: aafaalaska.com
California Chapter: aafa-ca.com
Greater Kansas City Chapter: aafakc.org
Maryland/Washington DC Chapter: aafa-md.org
Michigan Chapter: aafamich.org
New England Chapter: asthmaandallergies.org
Texas Chapter: aafatexas.org
St. Louis Chapter: aafastl.org
Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease (CURED)
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT)
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF)
International FPIES Association
The Mastocytosis Society (TMS)
US Hereditary Angioedema Association (HAEA)