On Nov. 1, the CMS finalized the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2023. The rule finalizes many policies, significantly: a 4.5% decrease in the conversion factor, a delay in split/shared implementation, continued refinement of evaluation and management coding and documentation, and telehealth flexibilities that will remain in place through 2023. Thanks to ACR advocacy, the CMS reinstated five-minute pre- and post-service times for musculoskeletal ultrasound codes.
The study of rheumatology (and medicine) in art, history, literature and music is engaging and informative.1-12 In this article, we present some instances when rheumatic and autoimmune diseases in certain individuals may have affected the course of history in Western civilization. Physicians are usually concerned, appropriately, with the effects of illness on the lives of…
Research from Gloersen et al. suggests the systemic effects of obesity, as measured by leptin, may play a role in the severity of pain experienced by patients with hand osteoarthritis.
Seppen et al. developed a smartphone application for patients with RA to assess the safety and efficacy of patient-initiated care, compared with usual care. By answering a weekly Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) questionnaire, patients were able to monitor their own disease activity between clinic visits.
After examining study data from pediatric patients with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the FDA approved ustekinumab as a treatment for patients aged 6–17 years old with PsA.
A study examined the association between TNF inhibitors and neurological demyelinating adverse events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis using cohort data from five Nordic countries. Researchers showed that patients with SpA were more likely to experience adverse events than patients with RA.
You are a rheumatologist in Texas. You are very well trained. Your mentors included some of the leaders in rheumatology, and you are respected by your colleagues and your patients. You know the devastation of untreated rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. A young woman with recent onset of systemic lupus erythematosus is your new patient. You…
During ACR Convergence 2022 in early November, the ACR and the ARP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. This month, The Rheumatologist profiles the recipients of the ARP President’s and Merit Awards. ARP PRESIDENT’S AWARDS The ARP president can choose to honor ACR/ARP…
Estimates from the National Psoriasis Foundation indicate that more than 8 million people in the U.S. suffer from psoriasis and that approximately 30% of those individuals develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA).1 Given these statistics, roughly 2.4 million people in the country are likely affected by PsA. Moreover, patients with this systemic condition carry a higher-than-average burden…
“I tell everyone who comes into her room now, ‘You will not disrespect my daughter again. No one will,’” recounts Sarah’s mother. “Every time a [provider] acts rude to her, Sarah tells me, ‘Ma, I’m used to it now,’ and I have to insist ‘No! Baby, you should never get used to that.’ … Dr….