CORC maintains active affiliations with other organizations that support the practicing rheumatologist, including the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO), and the American College of Physicians Council of Subspeciality Societies and Subspecialty Advisory Group on Socioeconomic Affairs.
Advocacy
The first few months of the new administration and 119th Congress have seen significant activity regarding healthcare, with more changes anticipated. The ACR advocacy website offers members up-to-date news on what’s going on in Washington, D.C., and the ACR’s ongoing efforts.
Through its office in Washington, D.C., the ACR participates in Congressional hearings and meetings, allowing our advocacy team to educate lawmakers on the impact of proposed policies on the rheumatology community and our patients. The ACR also advocates in state capitols across the country. ACR advocacy covers a broad range of issues, and those with particular impact on practicing rheumatologists have included ensuring adequate Medicare reimbursement, drug pricing, preserving reimbursement parity for telehealth and reducing clinician busywork that can be a barrier to access through reform directed toward prior authorization and step therapy.
The Affiliate Society Council (ASC) is a vital part of the ACR’s advocacy framework and seeks to enhance collaboration between state societies and the ACR. The ASC brings together rheumatology providers from member states to share lessons learned and to work through legislative and regulatory issues at the state level in generating solutions.
Clinical Tools, Guidelines & Guidance
Busy clinicians need reliable information that reflects the most recent advancements in patient care. With that in mind, the ACR has developed and updates evidence-based guidelines on a range of rheumatic diseases, as well as on topics for which clinical guidance is desired by the rheumatology community. Members also have access to more than 40 medication guides that provide streamlined information on the administration of biologic, anti-resorptive and other pharmacologic agents used to treat patients with rheumatic disease.
RISE Registry
The RISE registry, the first and largest electronic health record (EHR) enabled rheumatology registry in the U.S., collects information obtained during routine clinical care. RISE assists clinicians in meeting government-mandated reporting requirements and improving reimbursement. Participation in RISE is available to ACR/ARP members and their practices as a free member benefit. It can be used to complete reporting requirements for the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and MIPS Value Pathway (MVP).
Applications are accepted April 1–June 1. Volunteer today: https://rheumatology.org/volunteer-opportunities.
Practice & the Rheumatology Professional
The ARP offers novel educational programs directed toward rheumatology professionals, which are valuable not only to the professionals themselves, but also to practicing rheumatologists who are bringing new members into their teams. These include the Fundamentals of Rheumatology Course, which comprises 10 online learning activities that provide foundational knowledge for professionals new to rheumatology, as well as the Advanced Rheumatology Course, a comprehensive, 19-module educational series geared toward members of the rheumatology interprofessional team seeking a deeper dive into the subject.
