Kari Day joins That’s Derm Good! and explains how her psoriasis symptoms began during her pregnancy and worsened after giving birth, leading to multiple fractures in her feet. Listen as Kari explains her family history with skin issues, provides insight into the genetic factors that may have influenced her condition, and how she ultimately found help and empathy.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Kari's journey began with a series of physical symptoms dismissed by multiple dermatologists. Initially, she was told that her skin issues were stress-related and that she needed to relax. This dismissal of her symptoms highlights a common problem faced by many patients: the tendency of healthcare providers to overlook the complexities of chronic conditions. Kari emphasized the importance of knowing your body and recognizing when something is wrong. This self-awareness is the first step in advocating for oneself.

ADVERTISING: This episode is sponsored by Dermavant.

Effective communication is a vital component of self-advocacy. Kari learned to ask the right questions and seek clarity about her treatment options. For instance, when faced with a significant copay for her medication, she navigated the complexities of insurance by asking specific questions about what was needed for her copay assistance program. This proactive approach alleviated Kari’s financial concerns and empowered her to take control of her healthcare decisions.

This episode is about Kari’s patience while advocating for herself, her skin, and her joints. Finding the proper treatment often requires time and persistence. She learned to trust the process, understanding that while immediate results may not be visible, the journey toward healing is ongoing. This mindset is essential for anyone with chronic conditions, as it helps maintain hope and motivation throughout the treatment journey.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Ingrid Mollick, an office manager and biologic coordinator, joins That’s Derm Good! to discuss the evolving landscape of dermatology biologics and specialty medications. When she is not at home chasing her twin boys, Ingrid thrives in dynamic, ever-changing work environments. The episode highlights how teamwork, communication, and loyalty contribute to the overall success of a dermatology practice.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Ingrid celebrates the idea that everyone in medical offices should know how to do every role. Training team members to understand each other's roles and responsibilities minimizes delays and errors in obtaining prior authorizations, managing biologics, and building patient empathy. The biologic coordinator's role is as challenging as the front office tasks but in different ways. Ingrid's approach to training her office staff ensures the team can still support patients even in her absence.

ADVERTISING: This episode is sponsored by Dermavant.

"You have to be like that with your staff too, depending on how big or small because they're gonna respect that loyalty right back," shares Ingrid Mollick on the That’s Derm Good! Podcast.

Ingrid quickly jumps in and completes incomplete tasks when team members get pulled into different projects. With the collective goal in mind of helping clients get access to specialty medication, Ingrid is not worried about “doing tasks outside of her job” because each task adds up to the collective success of the office. This mindset and ability allow the team to work together and hold each other accountable.

Every biologic coordinator knows that documentation is everything! Ingrid also discussed how a well-communicated workflow ensures seamless patient access to medications. Ingrid emphasizes the importance of effective communication among team members and patients to ensure everyone knows patients' needs and concerns. By fostering a culture of open communication, the team can better support patients throughout their treatment journeys, especially when navigating complex insurance processes.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Lisa Anderson, PhD, Senior Director of Research for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAF) joins That's Derm Good! to discuss her transition into the world of alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease characterized by unpredictable hair loss.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 2% of the population, equating to about 7 million people in the United States and 160 million worldwide. This condition is characterized by unpredictable hair loss, which can manifest in various forms, ranging from small patches to complete hair loss on the scalp and body, known as alopecia totalis or universalis.

ADVERTISING: This episode is sponsored by Dermavant.

Dr. Anderson’s journey illustrates the intersection of personal experience, professional expertise, and advocacy in alopecia areata. With a background in neurosciences, Lisa transitioned into patient advocacy, ultimately finding her role at NAF during a pivotal time in the organization’s history.

Through initiatives like the annual patient conference and the Walk for Alopecia, NAF fosters a sense of community among those affected, helping to combat the feelings of isolation that often accompany the disease, which is so beneficial. As Dr. Anderson notes, the only predictable aspect of alopecia areata is its unpredictability. The best way to handle such unpredictability is by connecting to a community; NAF helps foster communication and fight the isolation attached to alopecia areata.

Recognizing the need for support, the NAF has been a pivotal organization advocating for individuals affected by this condition. NAF provides resources, community support, and educational initiatives to raise awareness about alopecia areata.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Dr. Elizabeth Kiracofe is obsessed with education. She wants patients to know the reasoning behind their treatment plans because this can increase treatment adherence. On That’s Derm Good!, Dr. Kiracofe discusses her journey from being a third-grade teacher to transitioning into the medical field as a dermatologist.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Education is a cornerstone of effective dermatological care, significantly influencing patient adherence to treatment plans and overall health outcomes. Dr. Elizabeth Kiracofe emphasizes that patients often seek to understand the "why" behind their prescribed treatments. Dr. Kiracofe shares multiple experiences where education impacted her dermatology career, including her decision to defer her acceptance to medical school to explore teaching.

ADVERTISING: This episode is sponsored by Dermavant.

Clear communication about what patients can expect from their treatments is essential. Dr. Kiracofe believes in setting reasonable and appropriate expectations for patient improvement. For instance, with her practice, Airia Dermatology, she explains that patients might feel better before their condition visibly improves, and understanding this can prevent them from prematurely discontinuing treatment.

Dr. Kiracofe's approach exemplifies the importance of education in fostering a collaborative and informed patient-provider relationship in dermatology. By ensuring that patients understand the rationale behind their treatment plans, addressing misconceptions, setting realistic expectations, encouraging active participation, and providing holistic health insights, dermatologists can significantly enhance patient adherence and improve health outcomes.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Shayli Naglekerk, co-founder of the Biologic Coordinators of Dermatology, joins That’s Derm Good! to discuss the value and importance of being a biologic coordinator. With over twenty years in the role, Shayli explains the primary responsibilities, best practices, and how to get creative and explore alternative avenues to allow patients access to their specialty medications. This is a rewind episode, a replay, and one of the frequently downloaded episodes.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Working in a medical office can be burdensome, and Shayli is fighting to combat this! Learning to manage a patient's biologics requires significant attention to detail and can detract from their primary patient care responsibilities. Dedicated individuals, either in-office or remote, can be more effective and efficient, allowing medical assistants to focus on their primary duties and ensuring patients receive the specialized care they need.

In some cases, office staff may not be fully aware of the steps involved in securing coverage, leading to confusion and delays. On the other hand, patients may not fully understand the medication they have been prescribed or the self-administration process. Biologic coordinators bridge this gap by providing clear explanations and setting expectations for both parties.

Communication is another key aspect of a biologic coordinator's role. Shayli explains how biologic coordinators bridge the office staff and the patient, ensuring everyone is on the same page and clearly understands the medication process. Biologic coordinators educate patients about their medications, including how to administer them properly and what to expect regarding side effects. They also provide ongoing support and answer any questions or concerns that patients may have.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Todd Bello discusses his psoriasis journey of more than 32 years. Sadly, Todd'sHis experience mirrors that of many patients: they face a lack of information about their condition and often a lack of empathy from friends and healthcare providers about the impact psoriasis has on their lives.

In this frequently downloaded episode, Todd explains why he became obsessed with understanding the condition, altering his diet and stress levels to find psoriasis relief, and how his psoriasis improved since he was initially diagnosed at age 28.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Psoriasis is a complex condition requiring a multifaceted treatment and management approach. In this episode, Todd Bello explains the importance of understanding psoriasis, the role of biologics, the necessity of supportive healthcare professionals, and the power of community and advocacy. By fostering connections and sharing knowledge, individuals with psoriasis can find hope and support on their journey to better health.

Chronic conditions like psoriasis can significantly impact mental health, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety. Todd Bello shares that the same cytokines causing psoriasis can also contribute to mental health issues, which makes psoriasis an especially difficult condition because it is more than skin deep. Todd created a website and blog, which became a supportive community that helps people living with psoriasis foster a sense of belonging and understanding.

Todd’s community grew to include the National Psoriasis Foundation. As a mentor with the National Psoriasis Foundation, Todd has worked with more than 75 mentees, sharing stories, discussing effective treatments, and offering hope to each other. This sense of community provides practical resources, advocacy, and emotional support, crucial for hope and healing.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for small business owners.

Angie Lee discusses the critical role of biologic coordinators, highlighting the importance of access to specialty medications and the impact of their expertise on patient care. Angie shares her passion for consulting, discussing how biologic coordinators serve as a vital resource for companies seeking guidance in the biologics landscape.

Angie was a guest in Season 1 of That's Derm Good! and this is a fan-favorite episode!

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Janelle and Angie discuss how adequate documentation is crucial for successful prior authorizations and can significantly impact patient access to biologic medications. There are a few ways that documentation impacts prior authorizations.

The Role of Documentation in Prior Authorizations

1. Supporting Medical Necessity: One of the primary reasons for prior authorization denials is the lack of supporting documentation demonstrating the medical necessity of the prescribed medication.
2. Quality of Life Considerations: The podcast highlights that documentation should encompass clinical data and how the patient's condition affects their quality of life.
3. Specificity and Detail: The conversation points out that documentation must tell a comprehensive story. This means including specific details such as the body surface area affected, the frequency of medication use, and the patient's response to previous treatments.
4. Team Effort: Effective documentation is a collaborative effort that begins at the front desk and continues throughout the entire patient care process. Front desk staff should inform patients about the necessary documentation they need to bring, such as insurance cards and updated medication lists.
5. Education and Training: The episode discusses the role of organizations like BC Educators in providing training and resources to healthcare staff on proper documentation practices. By educating staff on adequate documentation, healthcare providers can improve their chances of successful prior authorizations.

By focusing on detailed, accurate, and comprehensive documentation, healthcare providers can significantly enhance their ability to secure prior authorizations, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Melissa Page, co-founder of the Healthcare Advocate Summit, discusses the significance of healthcare advocates, how healthcare advocates bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, and the thrill of creating resources to support healthcare advocates like the Healthcare Advocate Summit. In this Rewind episode, we share one of the most frequently downloaded episodes!

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Melissa Page explains that a healthcare advocate can be anyone who supports this journey, including family members, office staff, social workers, and independent patient advocates. Their primary goal is to facilitate access to care and ensure that patients can adhere to their treatment plans.

When advocates share their experiences and challenges, they create a network of support that is invaluable in addressing the multifaceted issues patients face. As Melissa notes in the episode, “If it’s not you, then who?” This sentiment explains how and why advocates must collaborate to share insights and strategies to serve patients better.

Healthcare advocates play a vital role in the patient journey, acting as intermediaries between patients and healthcare providers. They assist patients in understanding their treatment options, navigating insurance complexities, and accessing necessary medications and services.

This That’s Derm good! episode highlights the confusion surrounding insurance terms such as "accumulators" and "maximizers," which can significantly impact a patient's ability to afford treatment. Advocates are often tasked with educating patients about their insurance plans, helping them understand their benefits, and guiding them through the prior authorization process.

Melissa Paige believes that everyone along the journey from patient to physician is a healthcare advocate, including medical social workers, healthcare workers within the system, reimbursement managers, independent treatment workers, family members, and office staff.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.