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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

From the College

Promoting Arthritis Research to Congress and Others

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The ACR works to promote clinical and basic research in arthritis and musculoskeletal disease through a variety of channels, including advocacy, working directly with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and through the work of the ACR Research and Education Foundation.

Student Benefits from Resident Research Preceptorship

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Although the ACR Research and Education Foundation offers a number of opportunities to students interested in rheumatology, the Ephraim P. Engleman Endowed Resident Research Preceptorship is a unique opportunity that allows for a much more in-depth learning experience. The purpose of the Engleman Preceptorship is to introduce residents to the specialty of rheumatology by supporting a full-time research experience, with the goal of attracting promising physician–scientists to the field of rheumatology early in their careers.

RheumPAC: Advance Rheumatology on Capital Hill

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One way to succeed in our mission of advancing rheumatology is to increase the ACR’s presence on Capitol Hill through grassroots and direct lobbying. However, for the rheumatology subspecialty to be most effective we must use all tools available to us, including RheumPAC, the ACR’s nonpartisan political action committee. RheumPAC demonstrates to members of Congress that the rheumatology subspecialty is committed to political action, educating policy makers, and improving healthcare for our patients.

Documenting the Patient’s Story: Consider a Scribe

Melesia Tillman, CPC, CRHC, CHA  |  

You probably prefer to spend less time documenting a patient visit and more time actually interacting with the patient, right? If so, you may want to consider hiring a scribe.

Tips for Signature Requirements for CMS

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In an effort to minimize medical fraud and abuse, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the signature guidelines for physicians and medical documentation.

ICD-9 Freeze and ICD-10 Code Update

By Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP  |  

Each year as a part of normal coding process, diagnostic codes are updated to reflect revised, new, and deleted codes through the CMS ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee. Diagnostic code changes and updates are based on information from vendors, physicians, or other health professionals that demonstrate a current code does not adequately describe a disease, sign, or symptom—or simply that the code is no longer appropriate for use.

Supporting the Rheumatology Workforce

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This month, the ACR will host the 13th Annual Rheumatology Training Directors’ Conference in Chicago. The conference is designed to provide training directors access to valuable resources and expose them to innovative teaching methods that will enable them to improve and strengthen their curriculum.

The Dos and Don’ts of E/M Coding

By Melesia Tillman, CPC, CRHC, CHA  |  

Coding medical procedures and diagnoses can be a daunting task if you are not educated in this field. I am going to break down the rules for evaluation and management (E/M) coding, so take a deep breath and let’s jump in!