title: Do utilization management controls for phototherapy increase the prescription of biologics?
abstract: The use of phototherapy for psoriasis has declined because of inconvenience, managed care disincentives, and poor reimbursements. However, phototherapy is safer than other options, and the efficacy rates for different methods of phototherapy are among the highest of all available treatment options. Phototherapy is also one of the least costly treatments for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. We hypothesize that utilization management controls on phototherapy shift patients to more expensive and risky systemic treatments. Reducing disincentives on phototherapy will benefit both patients and payors, while increasing physicians' ability to manage this debilitating disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Yelverton
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rittenberg
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000628:therapy*; D014600:Utilization Review
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products