Rheumatologists consider ways to encourage racial and ethnic diversity among students and in the workforce in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling that ends affirmative action in higher education.
Learn how ACR staff and volunteers support the interests of the rheumatology community in public policy efforts related to Medicare reimbursement, step therapy reform, drug pricing, supporting the medical workforce and more.
From Oct. 15–Nov. 15, all donations to RheumPAC will be amplified by matching contributions, so it’s the best time to make your yearly investment. Donors above the silver level will be invited to a special event at ACR Convergence 2023.
In late September, 80 rheumatologists, rheumatology professionals and patients living with rheumatic disease convened in Washington, D.C., for the ACR’s annual Advocates for Arthritis conference, where they marshaled in support of legislation that would reduce current barriers to care for patients.
Healthcare is a high-priority target for cyber criminals. State-level measures, such as a new Florida law, fail to address the root problems of data security but may affect how providers manage patient data.
On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This annual rule outlines policies related to provider reimbursement, coverage of telehealth services, review of specific codes, refinement of evaluation and management codes and updates to the Quality Payment Program.
The Voice of Rheumatology was established as an informal coalition to aid effective collaborations on issues important to the rheumatology community. The group has grown to become an integral mechanism for the exchange of information among groups including the ACR, Arthritis Foundation, Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO), Alliance for Women in Rheumatology and more to strengthen partnerships on a range of federal, state and regulatory issues.
On July 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina introduced a machine-learning technology platform to make decisions about patients’ care and treatment. The ACR opposes its use on grounds that it may harm patients’ access to treatment and undermine the doctor-patient relationship.
On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program (QPP) updates. Notably, the Fee Schedule decreases the conversion factor, which coupled with reimbursement stagnation for payment updates and congressionally mandated cuts, has created financial instability for physicians across all specialties. …