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

What is ICD-9 Coding?

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The International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification, 9th Revision (ICD-9 CM) is a list of codes intended for the classification of diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances, and external causes of injury or disease. The numerical format of the diagnosis codes usually ranges from three to five digits that are assigned to a unique category.

Networking Opportunities at Annual Meeting

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As the 2010 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting continues to draw an increasing number of rheumatology physicians and health professionals, it has become vital to create forums that encourage a sense of community and bring value to the networking aspects of the meeting. The ACR and ARHP Annual Meeting Planning Committees continue to strive to provide more venues for meet-and-greets and improved opportunities for both professional and casual interaction among attendees.

Support for Friends of Rheumatology

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RheumPAC—the voluntary, nonpartisan political action committee of the ACR—works to support and elect pro-rheumatology candidates. RheumPAC representatives were busy in May meeting with supporters of the rheumatology community.

Advocates for Arthritis: My First Time on the Hill

Annelle B. Reed, MSN, CPNP  |  

When I first read the request for advocates to fly in to Washington D.C., I was intrigued and curious. I’ve heard of visits to Capitol Hill to present important medical issues but was not really sure how the process worked. Politics can seem daunting and complicated, but I know it is necessary to get Congress on board to address medical care. I was excited to be accepted and ready to learn how to best help my patients in the political arena.

What Does Meaningful Use Really Mean?

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On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the publication of the final rule for the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program. The final rule announcement ended the holding pattern for providers eager to make the switch from paper to digital medical records.

Tear Down That Wall: CME restrictions stifle speeches

Bruce N. Cronstein, MD  |  

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world because it recognizes individuals and organizations that promote the causes of peace and human rights. In 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi received this prize for her courageous work in advancing democracy in the Republic of Myanmar. Because of her leadership of the democracy movement in Myanmar, the military regime that governs that country has gone to great lengths to gag her. Indeed, she has been under house arrest for most of the last two decades since she received the Peace Prize. An outpouring of support for Aung San Suu Kyi and demands for her freedom by human rights advocates and Western governments have sadly been to no avail.