In 2018, the Rheumatology Research Foundation embarked on its third and most ambitious fundraising campaign, Leading Boldly: Transforming Rheumatology, with a goal of raising $75 million over five years. The campaign supports Foundation programs to recruit the best and brightest into the field, train rheumatology professionals at all career stages and support investigators conducting research…
Take the challenge. A—The commercial insurance coverage is primary in this situation. Medicare should be billed secondarily because it will not become primary until after the first 30 months of ESRD Medicare entitlement. After that, Medicare will be primary no matter the patient’s employment status. C—Unless the patient has a qualifying condition, such as ESRD,…
A 55-year-old male patient diagnosed with generalized osteoarthritis and diagnosed with end stage renal failure (ESRD) 20 months previously presents to the office to see the rheumatologist. The patient has a commercial insurance plan and Medicare. Which carrier is primary for this visit? Commercial insurance carrier Medicare You do not know because it is not…
At this year’s ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, Nov. 8–13, all of the pediatric rheumatology sessions will take place in the same room, making it easy to access all of the exciting content. Planners hope this convenient setup facilitates networking before and after symposia. “In pediatric rheumatology, we are very tight-knit community. This [event] is our opportunity…
Another exciting ACR/ARP Annual Meeting is planned for this November. Show your support for the Foundation’s mission and enjoy your time in vibrant Atlanta at one of the Foundation’s events. Donations made to the Foundation support the extensive awards program that funds research, training and education opportunities for current and potential rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals…
Get your questions about RISE answered on site at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting—and pick up a voucher for free coffee.
Take the challenge. Answer: No, if billed as incident-to for the NP. Note: The patient’s current insurance carrier is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBS of MA). Under BCBS of MA, nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner primary care providers are not allowed to perform or interpret radiology services. Therefore, the physician would have to…
A 32-year-old male patient with rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple joints without rheumatoid factor returns to the office for a follow-up visit with the nurse practitioner (NP). The patient states his overall pain has improved since his previous visit, although he rates the severity of his right shoulder and right wrist pain at a 5 on…
A lot of effort goes into recruiting the best provider into a practice, but missteps during the onboarding process have the potential to leave the provider feeling unsatisfied and the practice dealing with turnover. Although it is one more task to add to an already full plate of things to do at a practice, comprehensive…
RheumPAC is the ACR’s non-partisan political action committee, which promotes the needs of rheumatology providers and patients. Advocacy efforts often focus on legislation to improve the day-to-day clinical care of rheumatology patients, such as establishing clinical exceptions to step therapy requirements and reforming the prior authorization process. In addition, the ACR and RheumPAC recognize the…