As the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spreads across the globe, innovative thinking is needed more than ever to counter the devastating effects on the physical and socioeconomic health of individuals and communities. Innovations in healthcare delivery not yet fully realized prior to the pandemic, such as the adoption of telehealth, are moving to the…
Over the past 18 months, the ACR’s Quality of Care (QOC) Committee has helped produce an impressive number of resources that will help rheumatologists deliver the best possible care. Working through specific projects supervised under its Criteria, Guideline, Guidance, and Quality Measure subcommittees, the QOC Committee has developed new sets of disease criteria, clinical guidelines,…
As part of the ACR’s pledge to be a leader for inclusion and change for members, trainees, staff and rheumatology patients, the ACR is holding a special image competition in conjunction with ACR Convergence 2021 dedicated exclusively to images of rheumatic disease in skin of color. “We started discussing the lack of diversity in our…
According to the French newspaper, Le Monde, the French Assembly adopted the “mort pour le service de la République”—died in the service of the Republic—statute on May 27. President Emmanuel Macron says this new law is one way to support the families of personnel who die under exceptional circumstances, such as healthcare providers who died…
Spurred by a recent Cigna policy, the ACR will lead a resolution to oppose insurance companies providing financial incentives for patients to switch treatments. Several specialties are cosponsoring the resolution for a special meeting of the AMA House of Delegates in June.
Learn to properly use the revised CPT codes to document your time and medical decision making during patient visits to help ensure your practice is appropriately remunerated.
The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) became law on Dec. 13, 2016, and emphasized interoperability in the exchange of healthcare information between healthcare providers, health information entities and patients. The Cures Act underscored unimpeded access to patient electronic health information (EHI) upon request, in a manner that is secure and updated automatically, and prohibits…
Nearly all adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic pediatric rheumatic disease require transfer of care to an adult rheumatologist, yet almost half are lost from care at the time of transfer.1-3 Although sometimes framed as a discrete event, transition refers to the longitudinal process, often spanning several years, in which AYAs and their families…
As with rheumatology care in general, the current demand for pediatric rheumatologists is greater than the supply of providers available. That imbalance is expected to increase significantly by 2030 unless action is taken, according to a new workforce study published in Arthritis Care & Research.1 The lack of pediatric providers is a serious problem that…
Volunteer leaders who are community rheumatologists share their thoughts about the professional and personal benefits of serving on ACR committees and encourage others to get involved.