MEDICOLEGAL PITFALLS
Introduction
This issue of Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery will, instead, focus on the many other aspects of the legal field that interact with our everyday practice of dermatology.
Medicolegal Pitfalls, Introduction
In the recent past, dermatology was jokingly referred to as that field of medicine in which “if it is wet, dry it and if it is
dry, wet it.” The dermatology of today is radically different.
The Dermatologist as Expert Witness
CPT Coding and Reimbursement Issues in Dermatology
In the past 6 years, significant changes have been made in Current Procedural Terminology ® codes, descriptors, and guidelines affecting dermatologists.
The Pitfalls of Regulating Office-Based Surgery by State Legislatures and Boards of Medical Examiners
While it is relatively easy to develop a set of criteria to meet in order to certify a facility in which office surgery is to be performed, it is exceedingly difficult to determine similar criteria or scope of practice definitions that can be used fairly and accurately to determine which physicians are qualified to use those facilities.
Office Accreditation in Dermatology
Accreditation helps in the development of risk-management programs, motivates staff by instilling pride and loyalty, helps in the recruitment of staff, and strengthens marketing efforts. In addition, some insurance companies will pay a facility fee for certain procedures performed in accredited offices.