The Rheumatology Research Foundation hosted the 10th Annual Investigators’ Meeting in St. Louis, June 24–25. The meeting provides Foundation-funded investigators an opportunity to learn about recent findings and research projects, network, exchange ideas and collaborate on future projects. More than 30 rheumatology professionals were in attendance, with presentations from 21 investigators. James O’Dell, MD, professor…
Current participants of the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) Registry can now access the RISE dashboard and receive an estimated MIPS score for the 2017 performance year. (Note: This score is only an estimation and cannot guarantee the type of future payment adjustment; only CMS can determine penalties and bonuses.) If you are a current user,…
The ACR will be back on Capitol Hill Sept. 26 to advocate for lower out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs and the repeal of arbitrary Medicare therapy caps, as well as to shed light on the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in drug pricing. But it will take the voice of all rheumatology professionals and…
Is your office at risk? Are all your business associate agreements (BAAs) in place, and is your office HIPAA compliant? As promised, and as part of its continued efforts to assess and enforce compliance with the HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules, the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) continues…
Take the challenge. CPT codes: 99214-25, 20610-RT, J1030x1 Diagnoses: M05.79, M25.561 This is an established patient visit with an established diagnosis, along with a new diagnosis, which would have to be billed under the PA’s National Provider Number (NPI) and reimbursed at 85% of the fee schedule. Keep in mind that to qualify as an…
The landscape of practice management and coding methodologies continues to be challenging in the current healthcare environment, and rheumatology practices must maintain focus on managing an effective and efficient practice. Join us at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, Nov. 3–8 in San Diego, and gain knowledge and understanding of best practices in an ever-changing environment…
With a shortage of rheumatologists in the U.S. already a problem and projected to get far worse, the ACR is advocating for the passage of a variety of laws that would help narrow the gap. Legislation being fought for by ACR advocacy leaders involves streamlining visa processing for foreign physicians and promoting incentives for physicians…
Apply your skills, interests and ideas to enhance the ACR’s Continuing Assessment Review Evaluation (CARE) program. Designed for self-study at an individual’s own pace, the CARE modules provide questions on a wide range of rheumatology clinical practice topics, allowing rheumatologists to review fundamental concepts and learn important new advances in the field. Serving as a…
A 66-year-old woman returns to the office for a follow-up visit. She is seen by the physician assistant (PA) for her rheumatoid arthritis. She is experiencing burning pain in her right knee, and she reports that after going for her morning walk, she rates the pain at a 6 on a scale of 10. She…
A new measurement tool could mean big changes for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). With funding from the Rheumatology Research Foundation, Gregg Silverman, MD, led a study that developed a means for the measurement of immunologic memory in autoimmune disease. This new tool will allow rheumatologists and investigators to measure the immunologic defects that…