Prior authorization and step therapy reform bills recently enacted in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts offer case studies into how substantive policy change can take persistence, patience and a bipartisan approach to achieve success.
ACR Leaders to Meet with Members of Congress at May 12 Capitol Hill Event
The meetings will focus on legislation affecting rheumatology, including bills on graduate medical education and use of copay assistance funds.
Virtual Hill Day Drives 100+ Congressional Conversations on Step Therapy, Workforce Shortages
On May 20, ACR representatives held more than 100 video meetings with Congressional leaders about the need to reform step therapy and alleviate pediatric workforce shortages. You can still add your voice by asking your members of Congress to support the Safe Step Act and fund the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program.
Safe Step Act of 2021 Aims to Put Patients First
Introduced in the Senate on Feb. 25, the bill would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act to provide a clear process and circumstances for requesting medical exceptions to step therapy protocols.
The ACR’s 2020 Advocacy Year in Review
To say it has been an interesting (the science and the memes), tumultuous (the politics) and heartbreaking (the pandemic and social injustice) year is an understatement. There have been moments of grace and inspiration that we hope have kept everyone going. As we look to 2021, we take lessons from our experiences in 2020. Washington,…
The Georgia Society of Rheumatology in Focus
As president of the Georgia Society of Rheumatology (GSR), Wambui Machua, MD, a rheumatologist with Piedmont Physicians Rheumatology, Atlanta, oversees a membership of 90 rheumatologists, six orthopedists, two nurses, 85 physician assistants and 27 fellows and residents. According to Dr. Machua, the GSR, founded in 1967, continues to pursue its original mission of providing educational…
Experts Discuss Current Insurance Issues Challenging Rheumatology
ATLANTA—From step therapy requirements to infusion center locations to evaluation and management coding, insurance issues bring frequent headaches to clinicians and patients. Experts discussed some of the most recent concerns in a session at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting. Chris Phillips, MD, chair of the ACR’s Insurance Subcommittee (ISC), and Gary Bryant, MD, delegate to…
Tips for Smoothing the Time-Consuming Prior Authorization Process
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…
State Legislative Update: Setting the Stage for 2020 & Beyond
In the new year, ACR advocacy staff will be working to advance bills to reform step therapy, prior authorization and more in state legislatures across the country.
ACR Leverages AMA Representation to Advance Rheumatology Issues
The ACR’s delegation to the AMA HOD meeting in November successfully advanced resolutions to advocate for pharmacy benefit manager transparency and expanded patient protections from step therapy protocols.
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