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…
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are the focus of a new ACR/ARP subcommittee of the Collaborative Initiatives (COIN) Special Committee. The 13-member group will explore strategies to increase diversity in the rheumatology workforce pipeline and reduce implicit bias in such organizational processes as speaker recruitment and abstract review. “There is a new awareness at the…
Professional practices, state societies and other organizations can support RheumPAC’s work with corporate funds through the RheumPAC Advocacy Fund.
Rheumatology leaders are encouraged by continued implementation of E/M coding changes, telehealth flexibilities and rheumatology-specific MIPS Value Pathway, but have concerns regarding conversion factor reductions and the CMS EHR interoperability and digital quality measures proposal.
Kelli Allen, PhD, believes strongly in the mission of AC&R, and as the journal’s new editor in chief, it’s now in her hands to carry that mission forward. Dr. Allen assumed the role on July 1, following the decade-long tenure of Dr. Hannan. “Everyone has been very generous with their time and the managing editors…
Ronald Frank Olejko (71)—who many ACR/ARP members knew as the man who managed the smooth planning and execution of the ACR’s annual meeting for more than 40 years—passed away on Sunday, Sept. 5, after a long battle with bladder and kidney cancer. He died peacefully at home with friends and loved ones by his side….
Coding questions and billing compliance are just a few of the issues ACR practice management specialists can help managers and rheumatologists navigate to recoup reimbursement and ensure timely patient treatment.