He notes that Medicare already requires this, as does the State Group Health Insurance. He says this protection should be provided to all of Florida’s patients.
The FSR also hopes to see changes made in how patients pay their share of a drug’s cost. “Florida law does not protect the patient and pass down the savings PBMs receive in purchasing a drug,” Dr. Valenzuela says. “Many Floridians are shocked to discover we are all paying copays, deductibles and co-insurance based on the high list price of the drug.” The FSR advocates that patients pay out-of-pocket expenses based on the lower, negotiated price of the drug, thus lowering the price of the drug for Floridians instantly.
Attracting More Physicians to Rheumatology
The FSR is also looking at ways to combat the looming physician shortage. According to Florida Department of Health’s 2019 Physician Workforce Annual Report, 12.5% (or 6,633) of the state’s physicians reported they were planning to retire within the next five years.1
At the society’s meeting in August 2019, Dr. Valenzuela notes that Angus B. Worthing, MD, a rheumatologist in Chevy Chase, Md., and then-chair of the ACR’s Government Affairs Committee, spoke to members of the FSR about how state and federal sources are working to address the workforce gap in rheumatology.
Dr. Worthing encouraged those concerned about workforce issues to consider investing in the Rheumatology Research Foundation, which supports rheumatology fellowships. He also discussed a proposed loan repayment plan for those who agree to work at least two years in pediatric medicine.
Currently, there’s a nationwide shortage of pediatric rheumatologists. According to the ACR, fewer than 350 board-certified pediatric rheumatologists are practicing nationwide.2
In an effort to increase the number of pediatric rheumatologists, the University of Florida Health also launched the state’s first fellowship program in pediatric rheumatology in 2014.
Dr. Valenzuela says the FSR is working to increase the number of rheumatologists practicing in Florida by establishing its own residency program.
“We hope to educate and motivate medical residents to consider a career in rheumatology,” he says. “We plan to run the program on a yearly basis and offer residents a taste of what it’s like to work in the rheumatology field.”
In addition, FSR members can encourage nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) who are interested in pursuing a career in rheumatology to use the online education tool developed and offered by the ARP. Dr. Valenzuela notes that although specialty training is required for rheumatologists, NPs and PAs aren’t required to pursue postgraduate programs after completing generalist, primary care-focused training. Online training can also be helpful for rheumatologists who want to add an NP or PA to their practice.
