Apollo Cares

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:31:08 GMT

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Age-related macular degeneration is a common condition that affects an area of the retina (the macula) that provides most useful vision. The disorder may affect one or both eyes gradually distorting and reducing central vision if untreated. Peripheral or ‘side’ vision is relatively unaffected.

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in persons over 65 who have a European genetic background. It increases from an incidence of about 1% in the sixth decade to 15% in the ninth. Smoking is the most important risk factor, having a 3-fold associated increased risk of AMD as compared to non-smokers.

How is AMD Diagnosed?

AMD is diagnosed by examination of the retina following dilation of the pupil. Either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist can establish the diagnosis.

Findings observed in the retina determine whether an individual’s eye is affected by a typically prolonged phase of the disorder termed ‘dry’ AMD characterized by tiny fatty retinal deposits termed drusen. Vision may become progressively impaired, often over a period of years.

A more rapidly progressive form of AMD is termed ‘wet’ AMD. The vision loss in wet AMD is caused by the growth of abnormal leaky blood vessels that eventually damage the area of the eye responsible for central vision.

The Amsler Grid provides a home self test for evidence of macular disease. It can be viewed at https://www.macular.org/amsler-chart .

What About Treatment?

AMD often can be effectively treated by a diet rich in fruits and vegetables while containing little animal (saturated) fat. A specially formulated vitamin preparation is available: Bausch & Lomb’s PreserVision. Diet and PreserVision have been shown to slow the progression of AMD or even over a prolonged time period lead to elimination of most drusen. ( https://www.preservision.com )

In recent years, a number of medications for intraocular (intravitreal) injection by ophthalmologists who are specialists in the treatment of retinal disorders have become available. These agents are termed anti-VEGF (anti vascular-vascular endothelial growth factor).

Particularly in early or intermediate stages of AMD, the result can be dramatic over time. Intraocular injections are usually required every few weeks or months.

Laser treatment, called photodynamic therapy (PDT) may also be appropriate treatment for selected retinal conditions.

If you are a subscriber, view Apollo’s related ophthalmology guidelines or contact us to learn more about our Medical Review Criteria and Clinical Guidelines!

References

American Academy of Ophthalmology : What Is Macular Degeneration? (accessed 02-2020)

American Macular Degeneration Foundation: Amsler grid. https://www.macular.org/amsler-chart (accessed 02-2020)

Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library : Laser Photocoagulation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration ; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/laser-photocoagulation-for-agerelated-macular-degeneration (accessed 02-2020)

National Eye Institute : Age-Related Macular Degeneration; https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration (accessed 02-2020)

UGM Keynote Speaker Announced

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:31:07 GMT

Apollo , a global healthcare decision support provider, is hosting its Apollo User Group Meeting (UGM) at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Attendees will enjoy two unforgettable days of motivational client speakers, specialty-specific learning sessions, and hands-on training labs.

The vent will be held on October 28-29, with the theme of "MORE", and will be bigger than ever. Apollo is hosting the event in partnership with its sister companies, Meditab, the leading EHR service solution provider, and MedVision, a leader in the healthcare payer industry.

Albert Sosa, the CEO of MedVision, inc ., had this to say: "MedVision is extremely proud to participate in this year's UGM along with its related organizations. With such a synergistic approach touching numerous avenues in healthcare, surely everyone can expect great learning opportunities and positive direction from this year's conference."

Participants will enjoy more sessions and more speakers than ever before. This includes the keynote speaker, healthcare futurist Dr. Josh Luke, who will be bringing his entertaining stories and inspirational insights to member audiences. Dr. Luke will touch on the current state of the healthcare industry and how it's being affected by various software and cloud-based systems. He'll also host panel discussions to discover how different Meditab member company leaders are contributing to a healthcare ecosystem in their unique ways.

As an industry pioneer, Dr. Josh Luke is a hospital CEO and health system vice president, as well as a Forbes author and contributor known to Fortune 500 companies as America's Healthcare Affordability Author.

L.A. Care Health Plan Selects Apollo Managed Care Criteria Guidelines

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:30:53 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif., (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Managed Care, Inc. (Apollo), an organization offering medical review criteria and clinical guidelines, today announced that L.A. Care Health Plan will use the Apollo Medical Review Criteria Guidelines for Managing Care® as a complement to their primary guideline resource.

"We at Apollo Managed Care are so pleased to have a highly respected and distinguished organization such as L.A. Care Health Plan see the value that we provide,” said Margaret Bischel, MD, Sr. Clinical Editor, Apollo Managed Care. “Having L.A. Care Health Plan join our growing list of subscribers is a tremendous feat for us as it shows Apollo's commitment to providing current, quality, evidence-based criteria suitable for large health plans.”

By utilizing Apollo’s cost-effective, comprehensive, easy-to-use guidelines, L.A. Care Health Plan is ensured access to criteria for the rarest medical conditions as well as direct access to clinical editors so they can request criteria not currently published in Apollo’s software.

“The pace of change in healthcare is growing exponentially. We needed a dynamic partner who could keep up with this rapid evolution in real time. The platform is easy to search and offers comprehensive guidelines reflective of in the moment medicine,” said David Kagan, MD, Senior Medical Director, Direct Network.

Updated daily, the Apollo criteria and guidelines are made available on a real-time basis via the Apollo Managed Care web portal. A proprietary algorithm provides notifications when a client searches on an area or subject not currently addressed within one of the existing applications. When this occurs, the Apollo team captures the required data and incorporates the new guideline into the software. All Apollo guidelines are subject to quarterly and annual reviews.

In July, Apollo announced the company earned Health Content Provider Accreditation from URAC – demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to quality care, improved processes and better patient outcomes.

For more information visit, https://apollomanagedcare.com/