The mission of the Rheumatology Research Foundation, a division of the ACR, is to advance research and training to improve the health of patients living with rheumatic disease. It supports career advancement, mentorship, professional development and education of professionals working in the disciplines essential to these patients.1 “The Foundation understands that the support of Association…
On Sept. 13, the ACR and Kevin D. Deane, MD, PhD, presented a proposal to create a new clinical code to recognize a condition in which an individual may exhibit rheumatoid arthritis-related autoantibodies without clinical presentation.
The 2022 Rheumatic Disease Report Card found that many states can improve access to care, affordability & activity for their residents living with rheumatic diseases.
In recent months, the ISC has engaged with payers to reduce administrative burden on practices and continues to advocate to the CMS for the use of complex administration codes for biologics.
The growing rheumatologist workforce shortage has loomed over the profession, threatening to undercut the delivery of care to the increasing number of patients with rheumatic conditions. “The workforce shortage is an existential threat to the field of rheumatology and to the care we deliver to our patients,” says ACR President Kenneth Saag, MD, who lauded…
After months of hard work—and with insightful input from many ACR/ARP members, staff, committees and the Board of Directors—we are pleased to introduce the ACR’s 2022–27 strategic plan. This plan sets the stage for our numerous activities in the next few years and cultivates innovational approaches to support our diverse membership. This new plan will…
Advisors of the American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Relative Value Update (RUC) Committees play a crucial role in the code creation and valuation process. These positions allow the ACR to have a significant voice in influencing changes and ensuring rheumatology services are effectively represented.
On Feb. 2, 2022, the ACR released a revised version of its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Summary (version 5, revised). A full paper was originally published online in Arthritis & Rheumatology (A&R) on March 17, 2021, and version 5 has been submitted to A&R for publication. Updates include: Recommendations differentiating supplemental and booster doses, including…
In The Will to Govern Well, Glenn Tecker and co‐authors suggest that for associations, the term “governance” refers to “the decision‐making units of the organization and [the] relative powers, authorities, and responsibilities that each possesses, as well as … the composition of each unit and how individuals are selected to participate in each.” In 2019,…
Updated Dec. 16, 2021: In response to advocacy from the ACR and other provider and patient groups, Congress passed legislation to avoid the nearly 10% “Medicare cliff” scheduled to take effect Jan 1. The ACR thanks all ACR/ARP members and patients who took the time to engage in this critical effort with us to protect…