Allergy Immunotherapy
Read the full articleDepending on the type of allergy you have, you can train your body to become less allergic.… how the patient tolerates it, but also could be slowed down if there are reactions Atoosa Kourosh, MD, MPH Types of Immunotherapy Allergy Shots Allergy shots, also known…

Giselle R.
Read the full articleAs a musical theater major at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, 19-year-old Giselle spends her days singing, dancing and… right medical care, she participated in soccer, swimming and competitive figure skating. Giselle manages her disease through a treatment regimen that includes allergy shots and…

As fall arrives, so do fire ants in southeastern parts of the U.S.
Read the full articleThey aren’t part of fall allergies, but their stings are painful and can be dangerous.… annoying sting; they can have life-threating allergic reactions. For optimal protection against allergies to life-threatening fire ant stings, allergists recommend allergy shots, also known as subcutaneous immunotherapy. Allergy shots can…

Allergy Facts
Read the full articleAllergy Facts Asthma and allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), food allergy, and eczema, are common for all… rhinitis treatment options are: avoidance, eliminating or decreasing your exposure to the irritants or allergens that trigger your symptoms, medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots). Immunotherapy…

Cockroach Allergy
Read the full articleCockroaches live in all types of buildings and all kinds of neighborhoods. Luckily for people who develop symptoms when they… a raised, red and itchy bump. If a reaction develops, your allergist may recommend medications, either prescription or over-the-counter, or allergy shots, which help your…

Insect Sting Allergies
Read the full articleStings from five insects - honeybees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and fire ants - are known to cause allergic reactions… FlushingHivesItchingAnaphylaxis (less common), a potentially life-threatening reaction that may impair breathing and can cause the body to go into shockInsect Sting Allergy Management and TreatmentAvoid insects.Immediately…

Pollen Allergies
Read the full articlePollens and molds can cause allergy and asthma symptoms, and you need to know what you’re allergic to so you… about medications that can be taken in advance of pollen season.Two immunotherapy options are available for those with severe pollen allergies:Allergy shots can help your…

Claudette S.
Read the full articleClaudette S. says, “I’m not the typical allergy patient.” Claudette, a speech therapist, doesn’t have asthma, and until a few… understood why my eyes felt so itchy and irritated that I couldn't wear contacts," she says. Claudette's allergist prescribed immunotherapy (allergy shots), and Claudette took…

Eye Allergy
Read the full articleIf your eyes itch and are red, tearing or burning, you may have eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), a condition that… your symptoms worse)See an allergist for prescription medications, which may be more effective:Eyedrops (decongestant, antihistamine, mast cell stabilizer, corticosteroid, NSAID)Allergy shots (immunotherapy)Nonsedating oral antihistamines (note…

Allergy Facts
Read the full articleAllergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.… treatment options are: avoidance, eliminating or decreasing your exposure to the irritants or allergens that trigger your symptoms, medication and immunotherapy (allergy shots).Immunotherapy (allergy shots) helps reduce hay fever symptoms in about 85%…

Martha, Adam, and Clayton W.
Read the full articleAsthma and allergies are truly a family affair for Martha W.’s family: she has asthma and allergies; her husband, Adam,… diet, his gastrointestinal issues disappeared," Martha says. The allergist's regimen to treat Adam's mold and dust-mite allergies includes immunotherapy (allergy shots), antihistamines, and a nasal…

I'm allergic to my pet but don't want to get rid of them, what should I do?
Read the full articleMost people really don't want to get rid of their pets, and even when they do many of their friends… taking them on a regular basis. If that doesn't work or doesn't work well enough, then we consider things like allergy shots or immunotherapy. Very…

Ragweed Allergy
Read the full articleThe pollen from ragweed causes allergy symptoms in many people. These symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy… pollen from grass, trees or ragweed is the culprit? It’s time for an allergist. Find an Allergist Symptoms Symptoms of ragweed allergy are similar to…

Late Summer is the Time to Start Preparing for Fall Ragweed Season
Read the full articleConsidered the most allergenic of all pollens, ragweed pops up throughout the East and Midwest starting in mid-August.… Once ragweed allergy season starts, it can feel like there’s no end in sight when it comes to fall allergy misery. Climate change is a big…

Late Summer is the Time to Start Preparing for Fall Ragweed Season
Read the full articleConsidered the most allergenic of all pollens, ragweed pops up throughout the East and Midwest starting in mid-August.… Once ragweed allergy season starts, it can feel like there’s no end in sight when it comes to fall allergy misery. Climate change is a big reason…

What does asthma have to do with your allergies? Probably a lot.
Read the full articleWhile the two may not seem related, studies show about two-thirds or more of those with asthma also have an… People who have allergies often also have asthma. And people with asthma often have allergies. While the two may not seem related, studies show…

Why has ACAAI launched a Payer Education Campaign?
Read the full articleBurdensome and unreasonable requests from patients’ insurance companies for documentation regarding allergy immunotherapy services have threatened the ability of allergists/immunologists… Burdensome and unreasonable requests from patients’ insurance companies for documentation regarding allergy immunotherapy services have threatened the ability of allergists/immunologists to administer allergen immunotherapy (AIT).…

For Allergy and Asthma Sufferers, Climate Change Means Worse Symptoms and Harsher Season
Read the full articleExperts from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) caution that pollen season is starting earlier and lasting… ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (April 11, 2023) – If you suffer from asthma or nasal allergies, you’ve probably noticed pollen season getting worse, and negatively affecting…

Asthma Facts
Read the full article8.3% of Americans have asthma.… Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath.7.7% of Americans have asthma. Of these roughly 24.9 million, 20.2 million are adults and 4.6 million are children.1Asthma prevalence is…

Allergic Asthma
Read the full articleAllergic asthma is triggered by allergens such as pollen, pets and dust.… Overview There is often a link between allergies and asthma. Not everyone who has allergies has asthma, and not everyone with asthma has allergies. But allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander…

Survival Tips for A/I Practices During COVID-19
Read the full articleCOVID-19 is taking a financial toll on many allergy/immunology practices. College Advocacy Council and Practice Management Committee leaders developed the… come. Analyze how various declines in revenue will impact your cashflow and operations. Run some “what-if” scenarios. For example, if your allergy shots drop by…

2025 Strike Force Photo Gallery
Read the full articleMembers of the College’s Strike Force are advocating for our specialty today – during World Asthma Day – on Capitol… Fair reimbursement for allergy shots using CPT's definition of a dose when billing CPT code 95165 Stopping NIH cuts for valuable allergy research grants Reforming…

Your leadership's decisions
Read the full articleThe following are key actions taken by the Board of Regents at its Nov. 15 meeting and by the Executive… Lund as lay representative (2-year term).Approved a no-cost extension for the multiyear study on “Surveillance of Adverse Reactions to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT) and Sublingual Immunotherapy.”Ratified…

Know the difference between build-up and dilution of allergy extracts
Read the full articleAll seven MACs have now agreed in writing to cover the build-up phase of allergy extract preparation and administration.… To understand Medicare coverage for allergy immunotherapy, it is important to clarify the distinction between the build-up phase and dilutions of allergy extracts, as well…

Evidence for using point-of-care ultrasonography as a clinical office tool, the venom immunotherapy shortages as an example of payment structure of medical services, and value of the ABAI MOC program
Read the full articleMost of us in North America are in the midst of the summer heat. This has made indoor (or at… allergists-immunologists. They describe the utility of this procedure in ensuring adequate epinephrine injection in anaphylaxis to minimize the risk of intramuscular subcutaneous immunotherapy with adverse…

Practice management solutions for busy practices
Read the full articleAs the leader in practice management resources for allergists/immunologists, the College can lend a helping hand!… Coding 95165 Learn how to code for 95165. Allergy Office: Coding for Allergy Testing Tips to successfully code for various types of allergy testing. Allergy Office: Coding for Immunotherapy…

Help ease back-to-school issues
Read the full articleMarch, 2021 episode covers asthma severity and difficulty learning to read and the Sept. 29, 2020 episode discusses mucus viscosity, among other allergy-related topics. Try MicroCME: get valuable information in about 30 minutes. Try SCIT or SLIT: No One Option is Perfect or Chronic…

2025 Strike Force advocates for allergists in Washington
Read the full articleThe Strike Force is an important opportunity for us to spend one day each year meeting in person with important… quality care to patients. Congress should also pass a more sustainable Medicare payment increase that accounts for inflation. Fair reimbursement for allergy shots Reimbursements for…

Keep patient payments flowing
Read the full articlealso important to avoid financial surprises by providing patients with up-front estimates, especially for high-ticket items like skin testing or allergy shots. For more details on how to implement patient financial counseling in your practice, view our free 15-minute Patient Financial Counseling…

Wins and challenges for practicing allergists
Read the full articleTherapeutic wins include Neffy®, SMART inhalers, and omalizumab’s expanded use to prevent some food allergy reactions, to name a… practice costs and inflation. Reimbursements for allergy shots, both from Medicare and commercial payers, have fallen short – to the point that some allergy practices might…

First, do no harm: How to create a culture of safety
Read the full articleDo your employees feel comfortable questioning you about an order that doesn’t seem right? Or are they reluctant to point… changes to address identified problems, and report on safety successes and results at staff meetings. Create a “Quiet Zone” for drawing up allergy shots and…

Experts in excellence at Annual Meeting
Read the full articleThe College continues its tradition of featuring named lectures at this year’s virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. These speakers embody the high standards and achievements of the physicians for whom the lectures are named. Watch and listen live to two prestigious lectures during the…

Experts in excellence
Read the full articleThe College continues its tradition of featuring named lectures at this year’s virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. These speakers embody the high standards and achievements of the physicians for whom the lectures are named. Watch and listen live to two prestigious lectures during the…

Be upfront about out-of-pocket costs
Read the full articleWith an abundance of insurance plans offering different levels of coverage and cost-sharing, it’s no wonder patients are confused about… With an abundance of insurance plans offering different levels of coverage and cost-sharing, it’s no wonder patients are confused about how much they owe and…

Getting started with telehealth
Read the full articleDecide what type of telehealth services you want to provide. This can range from email communication all the way to… Decide what type of telehealth services you want to provide. This can range from email communication all the way to video conferencing augmented with digital…

Trying to reach your patients?
Read the full articleIs your allergy practice still using phone calls for appointment reminders to advise patients of schedule changes, to discuss insurance… Is your allergy practice still using phone calls for appointment reminders to advise patients of schedule changes, to discuss insurance verification and payment and to…

Immunotherapy Shared Decision-Making Toolkit
Read the full articleWork together with your patients to ensure they receive the immunotherapy treatment that best suits their needs.… Why use immunotherapy shared decision-making? Ensure your patients get the immunotherapy treatment that best meets their personal preferences and goals. Improve patient compliance and health outcomes. Improve…

COVID-19’s impact on allergists’ clinical services and protocols
Read the full articleBackground How has COVID-19 affected allergy/immunology clinical service volumes and protocols? We’ll review this data and provide a summary of… Background How has COVID-19 affected allergy/immunology clinical service volumes and protocols? We’ll review this data and provide a summary of respondent comments from the College’s…

Sharing the decision – putting patients first
Read the full articleAs Bela Schick said, “First the patient, second the patient, third the patient, fourth the patient, fifth the patient, and… As Bela Schick said, “First the patient, second the patient, third the patient, fourth the patient, fifth the patient, and then maybe comes science.In years…

Allergen Extract Mixing Toolkit
Read the full articleGet all the resources you need to implement the new USP 797 rule for mixing allergen extracts.… New rule effective Nov. 1, 2023 The final United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 797 rule was published Nov. 1, 2022, after several years of Advocacy Council work…

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