According to a large cohort study of pediatric patients, rituximab use is on the rise in the treatment of children diagnosed with vasculitis. Treatment with cyclophosphamide remains common, but it’s beginning to wane. Dialysis and mechanical ventilation also remain common, the study indicates. The retrospective study of hospitalized children in the U.S. included the largest…
On Nov. 5, more than 100 students and residents gathered for the Rheumatology Research Foundation’s Student and Resident Experience at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Diego. As part of the Foundation’s work to increase the number of rheumatology professionals in the U.S., the event is designed to increase excitement in the field. Attendees enjoyed…
Sparks et al set out to investigate whether weight change during the early RA period is associated with subsequent mortality and to evaluate whether there is an RA-specific effect. They investigated weight change during the early RA period, because this is the window of time during which weight change is most likely to be related to RA-specific processes. They found that severe weight loss during the early RA period was associated with a subsequent increased mortality risk both for women with and without RA…
When former ACR President Joseph Flood, MD, tapped Deborah Dyett Desir, MD, to volunteer for an ACR committee, he might have assumed that her preference would be to serve on the Committee on Rheumatologic Care or its Insurance Subcommittee. After all, Dr. Desir is in private practice at the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center PC in…
Together our voice is heard; our influence is alive. In 2017, ACR members heard the call of the Rheumatology Strong campaign and joined the American Medical Association (AMA) in force, ensuring the College maintains its representation in the country’s largest—and arguably most influential—physician society. “We surpassed our minimum 1,000-member goal by a margin and are hopeful…
When Abby Abelson, MD, FACR, chair of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunologic Disease at Cleveland Clinic, was in medical school, she enjoyed nearly every one of her rotations. But it was the rheumatology patients who inspired her the most. “I saw they had challenges in their lives that they were able to triumph over,”…
Anthem Blue Cross recently announced changes to its reimbursement policies for modifier 25. As of Jan. 1, 2018, Anthem plans in California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wisconsin will reduce reimbursement for evaluation and management (E/M) services by 50% when billed with modifier 25. This policy will expand to Missouri on Feb….
SAN DIEGO—The 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, Nov. 3–8, presented opportunities to highlight its 2017 legislative advocacy victories, some of which were resolved just weeks before the conference began, as well as issues that are still outstanding. In the session, Legislative & Regulatory Update 2017, Angus Worthing, MD, chair of the ACR’s Government Advocacy Committee and…
Take the challenge. 1. B—No. CPT 99358, prolonged evaluation and management service can be billed before or after direct patient care, first hour or 99539 —each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for prolonged service). This code cannot be used to bill a higher level E/M visit code. According to 2017 CPT:…
1. A 68-year-old new female patient has an appointment to see the rheumatologist in four days. The patient has her medical records sent over from her primary care physician, neurologist and endocrinologist for the rheumatologist to review prior to the visit. Upon receipt, the rheumatologist spends 55 minutes reviewing the records and making notes. Can…