ISSUE: March/April 2005
Anti-aging & Wellness
Development of Alternate Revenue Sources
A FOUR-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE
As a result of the ever-shrinking reimbursement dollar, it has become a necessity for many physicians to seek alternate ways of increasing their revenue base in modalities or services which can be classified as “non-traditional.” Five years ago procedures which were customarily reimbursed at eighty percent of posted charges now barely exceed Medicare levels of reimbursement. Therefore, for the same amount of time and effort, the physician’s “pay” has been cut by over fifty percent. If one were to add in the cost-of-living increases and the reduced reimbursement levels, this “pay cut” is probably greater than sixty percent (60%)...
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Dermatology
The Role of Antioxidants in Skin Care
Oxygen is vital to living, the pivotal ingredient to our earth-bound existence. However, this essential element can also contribute to human aging and illness. Scientists know that free radicals are formed during the normal processes of our body; and they can cause damage to the cells, resulting in aging and illness...
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Laser & Light Technology
The Erbium YAG
NEW OPTIONS AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES
Non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments are the fastest growing segment in aesthetic medicine. It is estimated over 5.5 million procedures will be performed annually by 2007 producing $4.2 billion in fees. The purpose of this article is to present the Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) as a key component in advanced facial rejuvenation strategies for the cosmetic practice. The other components include non-ablative devices, BOTOX® and dermal fillers. In addition, technical information and indications for the Er:YAG will also be included...
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Legal Case of the Month
Electronic Health Records
& THE PUBLIC MINDSET
In his State of the Union Address, and in later speeches throughout the Midwest, President Bush proposed a $125 million commitment to a national electronic health record system. The value, he said, is in bringing better care to patients, improving the healthcare system, and bringing the industry into the 21st century. With $50 million of government funds already invested, most experts believe that increased computerization and a potential national network of electronic health records (EHR) are highly likely...
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Medical Spas
Healing Waters
GETTING BACK TO THE ROOTS OF THE MEDICAL SPA
There is no denying that medical spas are the fastest growing niche in the spa industry. Surprisingly, what may seem new is actually a rediscovery of the roots of spas. What we are seeing in the dynamic medical spa boom is not evolution, but an industry coming full circle. The medical spa isn’t new. Far from it. The birth of the medical spa dates back thousands of years to a time when ancient Romans discovered natural hot mineral springs and used them to treat soldiers’ battle wounds and aching muscles. Bathing for medical, social, and spiritual purposes was also exploited by other civilizations including the Greeks, Egyptians, Celts, and Turks...
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Men’s Aesthetic Procedures
Men and Medical Spas
THE MARKET AT A GLANCE
Depending on the source you consult, men comprise anywhere from eighteen to thirty-five percent of the North American medical spa market. As the male population in general becomes more looks-conscious and workplace expectations grow ever more demanding, men are starting to make spa-going part of their routines rather than reluctantly indulging in an occasional massage at the behest of their significant others. This burgeoning market presents a unique challenge to the medical spa industry...
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Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery Trends Forecast
Over the last decade, plastic surgery has become a mainstay in our society. Not only have celebrities such as Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffith and Carnie Wilson become self-professed plastic surgery advocates, but average men and women jumped on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon as aesthetic enhancements have become a regular fixture in our culture. Programs about cosmetic surgery such as ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” and MTV’s “I Want A Famous Face” have perpetuated the trend making what used to be a dirty little secret, something that people now regularly boast about having done...
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