GLENDALE, ARIZ.—Arizona is a microcosm of America’s challenges in reconciling the rheumatology workforce to growing patient demand, as quantified in the ACR’s Workforce Study of 2015.1 So it was timely this year for the Phoenix Rheumatology Association to sponsor its 1st Annual Strategic Training for Rheumatology Advanced Practice Clinicians Symposium. (Note: Advanced practice clinicians [APCs]…
In a first-of-its-kind report card, the ACR shows that many changes are needed for states to improve patient access to affordable and effective rheumatology care…
LOS ANGELES (Reuters)—A new front in the battle over the cost of expensive medicines in the United States is opening up in Oklahoma, the first state where the government’s Medicaid program is negotiating contracts for prescription drugs based on how well they work. In June, Oklahoma received approval from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and…
Take the challenge. Scenario 1 is the correct answer. Although documentation of both scenarios supports a Level 4 visit, only one supports the medical necessity to code an evaluation and management (E/M) visit on the same day with a procedure. Scenario 1 supports the need for a separate E/M visit, because a new problem was…
Scenario 1 History: A 45-year-old male patient with sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple sites, but with no organ or systems involvement, comes for a follow-up visit. The patient reports swelling of the left knee with throbbing left knee pain. He rates the severity of his pain at an 8 on a 10-point scale. The pain…
Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons must frequently collaborate to provide optimal patient care. Sometimes, they may even work at the same practice and form a care team for easy collaboration. Still, patient management from both specialties can be challenging, and specialists from both sides can learn from each other. How Crossover Starts Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons…
The CMS has submitted its annual proposed rule, which continues the transition to a value-based model, for comment by stakeholders and the public for the 2019 MIPS performance year (Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2019).
Marcus Snow, MD, is a rheumatologist in a multispecialty clinic in Nebraska. During the average day, the nephrologist in his clinic can assess urinary sediment. The urologist can examine semen specimens for viability. However, despite clinical training and competency, Dr. Snow and his rheumatology colleagues cannot perform synovial fluid crystal analysis for their patients. The…
(Reuters Health)—Hospitals that switch from paper to electronic health records may eventually see lower death rates than they had before, but a U.S. study also suggests that fatalities may first increase as the transition gets underway. Researchers examined the degree of digitization and 30-day death rates for patients age 65 and older at 3,249 hospitals…
In the U.S., the demand for rheumatologists has outpaced the supply of physicians. So how do private practices attract new physicians, and how are practices with physician vacancies managing?