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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

The ACR Advocates for More MIPS Points for RISE Use

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On behalf of the rheumatology community, the ACR recently submitted an entry for a rheumatology-specific Clinical Practice Improvement Activity (CPIA) that, if accepted, will be included in the 2018 performance year. The CMS put a call out to the public for CPIAs in an attempt to make MACRA more meaningful for participating providers. The ACR…

S.C. Rheumatism Society Benefits from ACR Partnership

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Editor’s note: This article will be the first in a series of articles highlighting the advocacy work done by state and local societies around the country. The South Carolina Rheumatism Society (SCRS) realizes multiple benefits from its association with the ACR, according to Jeffrey G. Lawson, MD, the society’s treasurer. One example of the support offered:…

CORC: The Uncomfortable Move from Fee for Service to Value

Doug White, MD  |  

ACR members are spread out across the U.S., but we all work in the same place: the land of fee for service. FFS, as it’s known to policy nerds, poses certain problems for cognitive subspecialists like rheumatologists. For instance, much of the work we do—calling providers and patients, coordinating care after hours—often isn’t compensated. And…

Brain Stimulation May Help with Fibromyalgia

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New research examined the use of transcranial direct current stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain to modulate attention in patients with fibromyalgia. The study found that the active current increased heat pain threshold and tolerance. However, a regression analysis showed the effect on executive attention appeared to be independent of the effect on pain…

Recommendations for Sjögren’s Syndrome: How to Address Biologics & Musculoskeletal Pain

Arthritis Care & Research  |  

The clinical practice guidelines for managing Sjögren’s syndrome, developed by the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation with the ACR, were designed to improve quality and consistency of care. In total, 19 recommendations were agreed on, which include managing the rheumatic and systemic aspects of the disease. Recommendations include a decision tree for the use of DMARDs for inflammatory musculoskeletal pain, use of self-care measures and exercise to reduce fatigue, and the use of rituximab in selected clinical settings for oral and ocular dryness…

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback Vetoes Medicaid Expansion Bill

Timothy Mclaughlin  |  

(Reuters)—The governor of Kansas on Thursday vetoed a bill expanding eligibility for Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), saying he could not support legislation that provided tax dollars to Planned Parenthood and failed to meet other requirements he has laid out for expansion. State lawmakers in the Republican-controlled senate voted in favor of…

Insurance Subcommittee Responds to Health Plan Complaints

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The ACR Insurance Subcommittee (ISC) regularly engages with insurance companies to discuss concerns raised by ACR members and advocate for appropriate coverage and payment policies. The ISC has gotten off to a busy start in 2017, working on a variety of patient access and reimbursement issues. Two recent issues the ISC has taken action on…