From the College

American College of Rheumatology Leads Charge to Address Excessive Patient Cost Sharing

Staff | August 8, 2012

The ACR Government Affairs Committee has developed legislative language to limit commercial insurance plans’ cost-sharing requirements for medications in a specialty drug tier to the dollar amount applicable to drugs in the nonpreferred-brand drug tier.

Managing an In-Office Infusion Practice

Staff | August 8, 2012

The increased utilization of infusible biologics for the treatment of rheumatic diseases has opened the door for you to provide more integrated care for your patients. Having an in-office infusion center gives you the ability to deliver this service to your patients in a familiar and supportive setting.

ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Offers Basic Science Track

Richard Loeser, MD | July 9, 2012

The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting is the premier event for specialists in the field of rheumatology, and at this year’s meeting, basic researchers will be afforded multiple opportunities to increase their knowledge.

Rheumatology Clinical Registry Integrates AIM:RA

Staff | July 9, 2012

AIM:RA is a web-based self-evaluation of practice performance tool designed to guide a physician through medical-chart data abstraction using a series of questions related directly to evidence-based quality indicators.

ACR Research and Education Foundation Meets with NIAMS and AF to Discuss Funding

From the College | July 9, 2012

The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) has been working with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (NIAMS) to lead discussions about how to best develop the careers of physician-scientists involved in rheumatic disease research.

Award Targets Critical Shortage of Pediatric Rheumatologists

Staff | July 9, 2012

Deborah Rothman, MD, PhD, received two separate ACR REF/Amgen Pediatric Rheumatology Visiting Professorship Awards, which allowed her to visit programs that do not have either a pediatric rheumatologist or a pediatric rheumatology fellowship program.

Sjögren’s Syndrome Moves into the Spotlight

Staff | July 9, 2012

Between 400,000 and 3.1 million adults are affected by Sjögren’s syndrome, and the disease is often challenging to identify.

Patient Fact Sheet: Sjögren’s Syndrome

Staff | July 9, 2012

Sjögren’s syndrome is an inflammatory disease that can affect many different parts of the body.

The Role of the Social Worker in the Management of Rheumatic Disease

Kimberly A. Holwerda, BA, MA | July 9, 2012

Although social work involvement is far more common in the pediatric world of rheumatology, the role social workers play in the clinic can also be beneficial to adult patients.

Are You Sending Money Down the Drain?

Staff | July 9, 2012

As a practicing rheumatologist, you are faced with many practice revenue challenges. While you may be looking for ways to cut practice expense, there is one area where you should invest—your coding personnel.