Patient autonomy in healthcare decisions and physician conflicts of interest are just two areas of ethical concerns that arise frequently in rheumatology. Dr. Kelly Weselman discusses ethical dilemmas and how to address them.
Rheumatology Influencers: Dr. Huffstutter Leads with Purpose
As president elect of the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), J. Eugene Huffstutter, MD, FACP, FACR, MACR, a rheumatologist with Arthritis Associates in Hixson, Tenn., says one of his priorities as the new president of the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) is ensuring physicians can focus on practicing medicine without unnecessary obstacles. Dr. Huffstutter expresses concern about…
Federally Funded Providers Must Provide Language Assistance Services by July 5
By July 5, all providers who participate in federally funded healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, must provide language assistance programs for patients to meet requirements of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
Experts Highlight Key Issues Impairing Access to Care
Speakers discussed common payer practices and policies that rheumatologists must navigate to secure and maintain appropriate care for their patients, including pharmacy benefit managers and prior authorization.
Expert Guidance from the ACR/ARP Access in Rheumatology Meeting
ACR/ARP Access in Rheumatology—As part of ACR Education Exchange 2023, the ACR/ARP Access in Rheumatology meeting addressed some of the major challenges in coverage and payment that U.S. rheumatology practices face. Speakers included rheumatologists, rheumatology professionals, office managers and CEOs. The first section, Thriving, Not Just Surviving—Keeping Your Rheumatology Practice Solvent, focused on financial management…
Rheumatic Disease Research in Indigenous Populations
This ACR Convergence 2022 session focused on ways to improve health equity in Indigenous populations.
The ACR Responds to Impact of the Dobbs v. Jackson Decision on Rheumatology Patients and Providers
The ACR and a new Access to Reproductive Health Care Task Force are working to ensure patients with rheumatic disease—particularly women—have access to the medications and treatments they need, including methotrexate, and that rheumatology providers are able to maintain trusting relationships with and advise their patients on all matters relevant to the management of their rheumatic diseases.
A Primer on Copay Accumulator Programs
The growing use of copay accumulator programs, which restrict the application of patient assistance funds toward cost-sharing requirements, hurts patient access to life-changing treatments. This was one topic discussed during the ACR’s Advocacy Leadership Conference in D.C. this May.
Electronic Consultations Could Improve Access to Rheumatologic Care
Patients shouldn’t need to exercise patience when it comes to getting needed rheumatologic care. E-consults are an evolving telehealth modality with the potential to improve access to rheumatologic care in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Healthcare Accessibility for People with Rheumatic Disease in New Haven, CT
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated wide disparities that exist in the U.S. healthcare system. During the pandemic, the clinical practice in the Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), New Haven, Conn., rapidly pivoted from face-to-face visits to telehealth to keep our patients and providers safe. Many patients quickly adapted and…