Search results for: primary care providers

A Collaborative Website as a Communication Model During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sheryl Mascarenhas, MD, with Greg Stevens, BS | April 10, 2020

Under the onslaught of developing information on COVID-19, one health system found a way to streamline communication using a secure tool it already had access to.

Rheumatology in the Age of COVID-19: HCQ Shortages Driven by Small, Nonrandomized Study

Michael Putman, MD | March 28, 2020

No data exist for prescribing hydroxychloroquine for post-exposure prophylaxis, and we should not prescribe it for this indication.

The Doctor Will See You Now: Legal & Regulatory Reforms Expand Telemedicine

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | March 17, 2020

In this time of COVID-19, you may be considering ways to deliver routine rheumatologic care via some form of telemedicine. Here are some of the legal considerations.

As Lyme Disease Spreads Across the U.S., Stay Alert for Fatal Lyme Carditis

Lara C. Pullen, PhD | March 3, 2020

The reach of Lyme disease is expanding across the U.S., and cases may be under-reported. A recent CDC case report describes the experiences of two patients with fatal cases of Lyme carditis…

15% E/M Services Reimbursement Hike a Win for Rheumatology

Carina Stanton | February 19, 2020

ACR advocacy leaders are celebrating a 15% planned increase in reimbursement for rheumatology evaluation and management services and are calling on members to thank Congress.

Proposed Changes May Loosen Federal Fraud & Abuse Laws

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | February 13, 2020

The Stark law and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) are the U.S. healthcare system’s primary fraud and abuse laws, and highly anticipated proposed reform plans from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) were finally unveiled on Oct. 17, 2019. The proposed reforms would 1) clarify certain requirements…

Sjögren’s Syndrome in Kids: Diagnostic Challenges & Treatment Options

Sara M. Stern, MD, Matthew L. Basiaga, DO, MSCE, & Scott M. Lieberman, MD, PhD | January 17, 2020

A 14-year-old girl is referred to your office for fatigue and arthralgias. While you’re obtaining her past medical history, she divulges that she has had four episodes of bilateral parotitis, each lasting two weeks. An otolaryngologist evaluated her. She lacked sicca symptoms, had a normal complete blood count (CBC), normal inflammatory markers and a negative…

Achieving Clinical Documentation Improvement in 2020

From the College | December 18, 2019

Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is simplifying documentation through its Patients over Paperwork initiative, clinical documentation improvement (CDI) did not go away. CDI is not about how to code in ICD-10-CM or the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT); instead, it is a huge part of the solution in maximizing the integrity of…

Ankylosing Spondylitis & Uveitis: An Ophthalmologist’s Perspective

Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR | December 18, 2019

It’s often said the eyes are the window to the soul, and in the case of ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies, one can also say the eyes are the window to systemic disease. Although uveitis occurs in approximately 2–5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 6–9% of patients with psoriatic arthritis and 25% of patients…

The 2019 ACR Award Winners & Distinguished Fellows

Carol Patton | December 18, 2019

ATLANTA—Every year at its Annual Meeting, the ACR recognizes its members’ outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program. The ACR is proud to announce 20 award recipients for 2019, honored for their accomplishments as clinicians, instructors or researchers who have helped advance rheumatology, for their commitment to inspire others to enter…