One month has passed since the U.S. healthcare system overcame a historical milestone with the conversion from billing ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM. Although the transition to ICD-10 had a major impact on coding operations, its far-reaching tentacles go beyond coding alone and are deeply rooted in the entire revenue cycle. There is room to criticize the…
Accepted Annual Meeting abstracts are now available online. Search abstract presentations online or download a PDF of the online 2015 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Abstract Supplement. Our online resources center is your single point of access to Annual Meeting program information. View, print or download Annual Meeting publications or access the app.
“Do you seriously want me to stand on my tiptoes?” my gruff 68-year-old patient at the VA Rheumatology Clinic asked, incredulous. “I came with a walker. I think you very well know, doc, that if I get on my tippy-toes, then I’m going to fall flat on my face.” He had a point, one that…
As the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) continues to celebrate its 50th anniversary, The Rheumatologist recently spent time with Charter Member and Past President Marlin N. Shields, RPT, discussing the history of the ARHP and the changes he has seen in rheumatology. One topic that was, and remains, near and dear to him is…
For the past 30 years, the Rheumatology Research Foundation has been an invaluable resource for investigators looking to further their careers and expand essential research into rheumatic diseases. Among the Foundation’s many award recipients is Robert Plenge, MD, PhD. In 2008, Dr. Plenge received a grant from the Foundation to pursue finding a genetic basis…
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) announced the availability of its 2015 Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) during the 2015 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in San Francisco. An early draft of the recommendations was presented at last year’s meeting in Boston, and the final recommendations are now available on the ACR website. The…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded the American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) The Lupus Initiative (TLI) with a five-year grant to support the development of a national, grassroots program targeting primary care providers, persons with undiagnosed Lupus and rheumatology health care providers. The program will have three components: Immediate dissemination of…
The ACR Practice Management and Coding department will periodically update the membership on the new ICD-10 coding guidelines and conventions to assist practices with accurate billing. Our top question during the first week of ICD-10 implementation was on the use of unspecified codes…
“Each project adds new knowledge that brings us a little closer to the cure,” Joan Bathon, MD, of Columbia University Medical Center, says of the Rheumatology Research Foundation’s 8th Annual Investigators’ Meeting in San Diego. Dr. Bathon was one of more than 30 investigators who presented the latest progress on research funded by the Foundation’s…
The Annual Meeting Planning Committee believes the best ideas come from our members! We need your input in developing educational content that best suits the needs of our target audience. Take advantage of an opportunity to share your ideas with your colleagues by submitting a proposal for the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting. The deadline to…