During the height of the pandemic four years ago, I took every precaution to avoid, or at the very least, delay contracting COVID-19. I religiously wore a mask in all public settings, I washed my hands so frequently that my skin became dry and cracked, and I studiously maintained a six-foot distance from others. But…
Case Report: Complicated Presentation Eventually Explained by Rare Syndrome
Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP), also known as Touraine-Solente-Golé syndrome or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, is a rare syndrome that can be inherited as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or sporadically. This progressive disease primarily affects males, who tend to have more severe features than females. PDP usually occurs during adolescence, often starting around puberty.1 The main clinical features are…
A Delicate Balance: How to Avoid Overmedicalization in Rheumatology
Rheumatologist Rachelle Buchbinder, AO, MBBS (Hons), MSc, PhD, discusses reducing overdiagnosis, overtreatment, low-value care and waste in medicine.
An Inside Look at the Advocacy Leadership Conference
At this year’s Hill Day, attendees will receive in-depth training on Medicare reimbursement and hear from Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-Ind.) about his perspective on the issue as a physician in Congress.
Advocacy Leadership Conference to Support Inflation-Linked Medicare Payment Increases
On May 7, ACR leaders from the Board of Directors, committees and more will to go to Capitol Hill and ask lawmakers to support legislation that would stabilize Medicare reimbursement for physicians.
CMS Updates the Medicare Conversion Factor
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 increased the Medicare conversion factor by 1.68% effective March 9, bringing it to $33.2875 for March 9–Dec. 31, 2024.
UnitedHealthcare Updates Reimbursement for Infliximab Biosimilars
On April 1, UnitedHealthcare updated reimbursement for infliximab biosimilars in response to concerns that formulary requirements are leaving practices underwater.
Community Practice Rheumatology Can Enable Lasting Relationships
Benjamin Widener, MD, FACP, has found a niche in community practice rheumatology in his hometown in Wyoming. As the lone rheumatologist serving the community, he has the opportunity to develop lasting therapeutic relationships.
My Experience at the Rheumatology Research Workshop
Dr. Mrinalini Dey of London was invited to present her research at the 2023 Rheumatology Research Workshop in Orlando. She describes the experience here.
Poly-Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Uncommon Subset of a Difficult-to-Treat Disease
Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is defined as the failure of two or more classes of biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to control active or progressive disease in patients with RA. Between 5 and 20% of patients with RA have difficult-to-treat RA.