ACR representatives updated members on recent insurance issues…

ACR representatives updated members on recent insurance issues…
Robert S. Katz, MD |
As a veteran rheumatologist, I remember the clinical trials of etanercept’s (Enbrel’s) efficacy. And when the drug was first approved in 1998, I participated in those clinical trials and realized the effectiveness was astonishing. It was easy to tell which patients were treated with etanercept vs. those who received placebo, even though both groups were…
ATLANTA—Obtaining prior authorization to ensure services or prescription drugs are covered by a patient’s health plan consumes staff time, and delays or denials may cause patients to abandon treatment, according to speakers at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting. In a session on Nov. 10, the experts shared tips to smooth the process. Train Staff on…
ATLANTA—In a session at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, Susan Chrostowski, DNP, assistant clinical professor at Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing, Dallas, told the audience that she’d had a visit with a patient and asked how he was doing. “Not too good,” he said, explaining that his chest hurt. “What’s the matter with your…
Ellen M. Gravallese, MD |
On behalf of the ACR, I wish you happiness, prosperity and, above all, good health in this new decade. Now that the holidays are behind us and 2020 has launched, the ACR’s dedicated volunteers and staff are working collaboratively to achieve many ambitious initiatives to ensure the College’s dynamic and bright future. A few weeks…
Will Boggs, MD |
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—New consensus-based recommendations from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) address the management of Sjögren’s syndrome with topical and systemic therapies. Sjögren’s syndrome presents with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations and autoantibodies, including antinuclear antibodies (the most frequently detected), anti-Ro/SS-A (the most specific) and cryoglobulins and hypocomplementemia (the main prognostic markers)….
Benjamin J. Smith, PA-C, DFAAPA, Sonam Kiwalkar, MD, & Aileen Ledingham, PT, PhD, on behalf of the ARP eLearning subcommittee |
The Advanced Rheumatology Course (ARC) carries the distinction of being the first online educational product of the ACR/ARP. In the early 2000s, members of the College thoughtfully considered action needed to efficiently prepare health professionals looking to enter the rheumatology workforce. A decision was made to create online educational products with the specific target audience…
Carol Patton, with Keri Losavio |
ATLANTA—At the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting in November, the ACR and the ARP honored a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care. This month, The Rheumatologist speaks with the winners of the ARP Merit Awards about their individual contributions to advancing rheumatology. You’ll also find a…
Patients with axial spondyloarthritis have a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that tends to localize to the sacroiliac joints and spine. Ankylosing spondylitis is, perhaps, the most representative of this group of diseases. Rheumatologists treat patients with axial spondyloarthritis with biologics, such as tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi’s), which can improve quality of life, activity and…
Stephanie Kydd Dondero, DO, & Barry Waters, MD |
Apremilast was first marketed in March 2014 for the treatment of adults with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). An immunomodulating drug, which is a small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), apremilast is administered orally. By inhibiting PDE4, intracellular cAMP levels are increased. Although the exact mechanism of action is not…