AAD’s take on ‘catastrophic’ physician fee schedule leads top dermatology Q&As of 2024

Key takeaways:

• Healio’s recent Q&A concerning the CMS 2025 physician fee schedule catapulted to the top of the list.
• Content surrounding celebrity news, aesthetics and more followed.

Healio Dermatology’s wires were filled with many expert Q&As ranging from celebrity news perspectives to government agency appeals.

The American Academy of Dermatology’s response to the CMS’s 2025 physician fee schedule, conveyed in an interview between the academy’s president and Healio, overwhelmingly topped the list, followed by Q&As about one of Kim Kardashian’s latest controversies, the power of permanent makeup and Simone Bile’s reaction to baby Botox.

Read these and more top Q&As of 2024 below:

Q&A: Cuts to 2025 physician fee schedule yield ‘catastrophic’ impacts to patient access

This year, the CMS finalized cuts to the 2025 physician fee schedule for the fifth year in a row, prompting an urgent call-to-action from the American Academy of Dermatology. Healio Dermatology spoke with Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, president of the AAD, about why these cuts are being made, how this affects physicians and patients and what dermatologists should do about it. Read more.

Q&A: Physician responds to Kim Kardashian using tanning booth to help psoriasis

After claiming that her tanning booth soothed her psoriasis, Kim Kardashian received backlash from fans and experts alike. In the wake of this controversy, Azza Halim, MD, a board certified, multi-specialist physician with a focus in aesthetic and regenerative medicine, spoke to Healio about the dangers of using tanning beds as a therapy for psoriasis. Read more.

Q&A: Dermatologists can use power of permanent makeup to physically, mentally aid patients

While most think of lipstick, mascara and other products that individuals apply to their face daily as makeup, there are alternative definitions as well, one of which is permanent makeup — a type of tattoo that is commonly used in both the cosmetic and medical communities. Walter Liszewski, MD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and preventative medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, discussed how permanent makeup can benefit patients with dermatological diseases, both physically and mentally. Read more.

Q&A: Expert discusses risks of baby Botox as Simone Biles shares side effects

David Hill, MD, a plastic surgeon and co-founder and medical director of Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery, discussed the downsides of “baby Botox” after Simone Biles opened up about her experience with the cosmetic procedure on social media. Read more.

Q&A: Alcohol consumption can age skin, trigger underlying diseases

Healio spoke with Ahuva Cices, MD, assistant professor of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of both the cutaneous manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease clinic and cosmetic dermatology for patients with autoimmune disease at Mount Sinai, about how alcohol negatively affects the skin and can cause or exacerbate underlying diseases. Read more.

Q&A: On National Tattoo Day, dermatologist talks history, uses, risks of longtime art form

Every July 17, the country celebrates National Tattoo Day in honor of the stories these bodily markings tell and their personal meanings for many individuals. However, while tattoos may be symbols of culture and self-expression, they can cause complications. Healio spoke with Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, FAAD, FACP, clinical professor in the department of dermatology at New York University, president of the Skin Cancer Foundation and a private practitioner in Manhattan and Long Island, about this. Read more.

Q&A: Expert discusses causes of vitiligo as Kim Kardashian opens up about son’s diagnosis

Kim Kardasian made headlines again as she shares her experience with vitiligo after her son’s diagnosis with the condition. John E. Harris, MD, PhD, founding director of the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center, founding director of the Autoimmune Therapeutics Institute, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at UMass Chan Medical School and a member of Healio Dermatology’s Peer Perspective Board, talked about the genetic component, environmental causes and prevalence of vitiligo among children and adults on the heels of this celebrity news. Read more.

Q&A: How to protect yourself and your patients from fake Botox

After the CDC announced the coordination of an investigation surrounding cases of fake Botox (botulinum toxin, Allergan) injections that hospitalized at least four people, Healio spoke with Karan Lal, DO, MS, FAAD, a double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, about how providers can avoid fake Botox and practice safe injectable techniques. Read more.

Q&A: FDA must ‘do right’ by explaining delayed ban of formaldehyde in hair products

This year, the FDA missed its action date in April to address its proposed rule banning formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from hair smoothing and straightening products. Healio spoke with Chris G. Adigun, MD, FAAD, the owner and medical director of Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill, about the importance of this issue. Read more.

Q&A: Appropriately sized instruments needed for female surgeons

The lack of surgical instruments tailored for women’s hands is just one example of the gender inequity female surgeons face in the workforce. To raise awareness of this issue, Healio spoke with Lara Devgan, MD, MPH, FACS, an attending plastic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital, Greenwich Hospital and Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Infirmary, chief medical officer of RealSelf and CEO of Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty, which created a line of plastic surgery instruments for women. Read more.