Managing Allergies and Asthma: What Primary Care Physicians Need To Know

June 24, 2021, Lakiea Wright, MD MAT MPHManaged Healthcare Executive.

This is a great article on the role that a PCP can play in diagnosing allergic diseases, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the healthcare cost to the US economy. The financial implications are staggering. Allergic rhinitis costs the U.S. economy approximately $3.4 billion annually in medical expenses and days missed from work or school while asthma costs exceed $81 billion each year. Equipping primary care physicians to better diagnose and treat allergies and asthma can help improve patient outcomes and mitigate these costs. Primary care physicians often serve as the first line of defense for allergy and asthma sufferers, helping diagnose and treat their symptoms. Specific IgE testing can help primary care providers tailor treatments to patients’ needs and make more appropriate referrals to allergists, who remain key members of the treatment team. It also aligns with value-based care delivery by ensuring the right care is delivered to the right patient in the right setting. This can lead to greater continuity of care and has the potential to lower costs as patients receive treatment that aligns with their needs. Read the entire article. Managing Allergies and Asthma What Primary Care Providers Need to Know