Brad D Constant MD

Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Children's Hospital of Colorado. Comparative Effectiveness Research and Advocacy. Crohn’s Disease patient since ‘97.

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

Excited to share our research: Prior authorizations for IBD biologics delay care and are associated with increased healthcare utilization in pediatric IBD. Out now in #Pediatrics @AmerAcadPeds. @gidez4 @MarisaStahl1 @JamesLewisGIEpi @FrankIScottMD. https://t.co/2f4YZHk557

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

https://t.co/wztraiGWtX

Great article by @laurenmsausser showing all the ways prior authorizations take medical decision making out of doctors’ and patients’ hands, disrupt care, and lead to real patient harm. This system need to change.

[Frank I Scott, MD MSCE @FrankIScottMD]

Great preliminary work by @BradDConstantMD and colleagues, who are collaborating to better understand the safety and efficacy of antiTNFs in internally penetrating pediatric Crohn’s disease #CCCongress23

[JPGN @JPGNonline]

In this retrospective review, @BradDConstantMD et al studied the use of tofacitinib as salvage therapy in children with steroid and biologic-refractory #ulcerativecolitis with >50% remaining colectomy-free after 90 days.

https://t.co/MaeSnTTl9j https://t.co/MaeSnTTl9j

[Maarten van Smeden @MaartenvSmeden]

NEW PAPER
I was challenged by @morleycp to write a 1000-word paper about a tweet. It was fun to do, and hopefully useful to some of you

Open acces 👉 https://t.co/qR5t3Vc9ry

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

New patient education project: Blast this on repeat from the top of your hospital, in every patient room, outside of every pharmacy, and put the link in every AVS.

PBMs controlling medical care to siphon funds from patients to insurance/pharmacy execs doesn’t have to be the way

[Dr. Glaucomflecken @DGlaucomflecken]

Pharmacy Benefit Managers

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

@SchairerIBDMD @DCharabaty @MRegueiroMD @PDulaiMD @IBDMD @ibdtweets @DrHarryThomas @EbellaguardaMD @MLongMD @IBDConference Very odd indeed.

In Pennsylvania we have a similar experience except in children the top couple layers are still being built. It’s almost like insurers prefer more adverse events if it means making more profits 🤔

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

Step therapy policies limit medication access, contribute to patient harm, and are converse to medical evidence.

At this point, the only reason not to eliminate step therapy is that its awfulness is the only thing left uniting Democrats and Republicans.

[ACG @AmCollegeGastro]

The #SafeStepAct (HR 21 63; S. 464) has significant bipartisan support. ACG & other orgs call on Congress to pass the bill & help patients access the meds they are prescribed!

@SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer #ACGAdvocacy #SSADayOfAction #RespectMyPrescription #GItwitter @ibdtweets

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

When the figure is so good you don’t even need to read the paper (but still read it).

[NEJM Evidence @NEJMEvidence]

This #RCT evaluated infliximab withdrawal in pts with #Crohns disease in remission on infliximab maintenance therapy. Time to relapse was significantly shorter among patients who discontinued IFX than those who continued therapy. https://t.co/hsmIp2x9mS

#GITwitter #MedTwitter

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

@drmoneymatters We should be asking all “peers” for their name, medical license number, and contact information so patients know how to directly reach the person deciding their treatment plans. #patientsoverprofits #respectmyprescription.

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

The #MedicalNutritionEquityAct would assure medical foods such as exclusive enteral nutrition, proven to be uniquely effective in Crohn’s Disease, would be covered by insurance companies for all patients in need. #IBDinDC

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

Inspirational #IBDinDC Day on the Hill advocating for the #SafeStepAct and #MedicalNutritionEquityAct. Shout out to PA-2 team @SCKimCHP @DrsMeena and the entire crew! Thanks to reps from @RepDwightEvans @GReschenthaler @SenToomey @SenBobCasey @RepDean for hearing our stories!

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

The #SafeStepAct would be a major step forward in standardizing the prior authorization and step therapy process to minimize medication delays, prevent unnecessary patient suffering, and assure appropriate medical care prioritizing #PatientsOverProfits! #IBDinDC

[Dr. Glaucomflecken @DGlaucomflecken]

Happy Doctor’s Day!

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

@gutsandgrowth Thanks @gutsandgrowth for providing your experience. Across the country, in children and adults, we’re coming to your same conclusion:
“Prior authorization policies usually delay needed care unnecessarily and lead to complications in children with IBD.” https://t.co/6Fa7IWCmUA

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

Thank you @aap_pediatrics for these thoughtful pieces demonstrating how #PriorAuthorizations impact patients across all of #Pediatrics!
@Lewis_First https://t.co/j6GiXLehiP
@CaraColeman73 https://t.co/2bnqul2Occ

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

Incredibly grateful to be a part of this talented research team, for the support of my mentors, the senior author on this work @FrankIScottMD, and @CUPedsGILiver @CUDeptMedicine

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

Excited to share our research: Prior authorizations for IBD biologics delay care and are associated with increased healthcare utilization in pediatric IBD. Out now in #Pediatrics @AmerAcadPeds. @gidez4 @MarisaStahl1 @JamesLewisGIEpi @FrankIScottMD. https://t.co/2f4YZHk557

[Brad D Constant MD @BradDConstantMD]

This is just one step in using real-world data to detail the effect of insurer-mandated prior authorizations. We need collaborative nationwide research to continue to describe how these processes may harm patients, are not cost-effective, and overburden the healthcare system.