SCAPAiD now has an online group page, for derm PA news, useful free documents you can download, and areas for posting questions and replies. If you would like an invitation to the group page, send an email to MichaelOvercash@comcast.net

The group site can be seen at the URL http://groups.google.com/group/scapaid
or simply click on the link on the right side of this page ->

Do PA charts need to be co-signed?

Does your SP (Supervising Physician) need to co-sign your charts? Legally, they do not, unless they were not physically in the building when you saw the patient.
However, some insurance companies may want to see your charts cosigned. SCAPA leader Ann Marie Rader and I are looking into this. I welcome any comments if you have knowledge of this reimbursement problem.
I uploaded the entire SC Practice Act onto the internet. Just click on this link: SC PA Practice Act

the single most important meeting of the year!

Be sure to attend the fall SDPA Annual National Conference. In my opinion it is the best, most informative derm conference in existence! We will have a group activity planned for the PAs from South Carolina, so let me know if you are planning to attend. If you haven't signed up yet, go to www.dermPA.org
Conference location is Tampa, dates are Nov 4-8, 2008. Do not miss it!

Click here for more information or to register ->http://www.dermpa.org/#/UpcomingEvents/SDPA6Conf/

ISOTRETINOIN initiation approved!

The board approved my proposal to be allowed to initiate isotretion, based on the new iPLEDGE program and it's restrictions. The next step is to get this right approved for ALL derm PAs in our state, not just me. For now, if any other derm PAs want to be allowed to legally initiate isotretinoin without consignature of their Supervising Physician (SP) present, they must petition the board individually. This is what I recommend at this time. South Carolina's current PA prescribing restriction is embarrassing, inconvenient, and a barrier to patient care.
We will discuss this further in our upcoming SCAPAiD meeting in Charleston March 26th.

Eyelid Biopsy

Did you realize that: Even if you've been biopsying eyelids for years, if you haven't applied for this task, with LLR, insurance companies may deny payment for the procedure? If you are a Derm PA in SC, I recommend applying for this task immediately, if you do or will perform biopsies of the eyelid. To apply for tasks, contact Brenda Eason at 803-896-4500 or fax 803-896-4515. She will send you a form to complete and have signed by your SP. You will hear from them in a couple of months.

SCAPAID meeting

calling all SC Derm PAs!
If you know any derm PAs not in SCAPAID, please get them to contact me at MichaelOvercash@gmail.com. We have several evolving issues they need to be a part of. Also, we have monthly statewide dinner meetings for all derm PAs. We discuss urgent issues that affect your ability to practice in the future in our state, and always have an educational presentation including useful off-label information. Dinner is sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies of course.

Welcome to SCAPAID

SCAPAID is the South Carolina Association of Physician Assistants in Dermatology, founded in 2004.
This blog is a forum to share information and present questions, whether clinical or administrative, about our profession.
If you are interested in joining SCAPAID, contact founder Michael Overcash at MichaelOvercash@comcast.net
Membership for the year 2008 is free of charge.