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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Med Student Documentation Guidelines Need Careful Implementation

Will Boggs, MD  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—New student-documentation guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) require careful implementation to avoid reductions in meaningful teaching physician involvement, according to a new report. The revised Medicare Claims Processing Manual allows the teaching physician to verify in the medical record any student documentation of services, rather than re-documenting…

Walgreens & Microsoft Partner to Develop Digital Healthcare Services

Reuters Staff  |  

(Reuters)—Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Microsoft Corp said on Tuesday they have entered a seven-year agreement to research and develop new methods of delivering healthcare services through digital devices. As a part of the deal, the companies will focus on virtually connecting people with Walgreens stores and provide services on therapeutic areas ranging…

2019 RheumPAC Resolutions

Zachary Wallace, MD, MSc  |  

This year’s RheumPAC members are excited to build on their 2018 accomplishments. In 2018, we raised $144,000 from 323 individual investors. Thank you to everyone who invested and to those who supported advocacy for ACR/ARP, its members and our patients. We also introduced a new way for non-individuals (e.g., rheumatology practices, state and local rheumatology…

Rheumatology Advocacy in 2019

Angus B. Worthing, MD, FACP, FACR  |  

A belated Happy New Year to my fellow advocates! Here’s your first update for 2019 on what the rheumatology community should know is going on in Washington, D.C., right now. Current Climate On Jan. 3, the 116th Congress gaveled into session with Democrats in control of the House of Representatives and Republicans still the majority in the…

Coding Corner Answers: Billing for Joint Injection within a Series

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Take the challenge. CPT: 20611-LT, J7325-EJ ICD-10: M17.12, E66.01, Z68.41 Coding/Billing Rationale No evaluation and management (E/M) code was added because there was no significant and/or separate identifiable reason for an E/M service to be billed with this scheduled visit for her series of injections. The joint injection was billed with ultrasound guidance due to…

Coding Corner Question: Billing for Joint Injection within a Series

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A 68-year-old female Medicare patient with a diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis of the left knee returns to a practice for her third injection in a series of knee injections. She reports being able to resume her after-dinner walks, which last for 30–40 minutes at least twice weekly. She denies fevers or any rashes. She has…

The Rheumatology Research Foundation Honors 153 Award Recipients

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CHICAGO—In October, the Rheumatology Research Foundation recognized 153 award and scholarship recipients at an awards luncheon, held in conjunction with the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting. The annual event celebrates the accomplishments of rheumatology professionals who have received funding from the Foundation. In congratulating the award recipients, Foundation President Abby Abelson, MD, emphasized the impact the…

Dr. Christopher Morris: Rheumatologist, Bridge Player & Lifelong Magician

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Ever wonder how magicians know what card you pulled out of the deck, make objects vanish or unlink and link solid metal rings? Christopher Morris, MD, knows how these tricks are performed, but he won’t tell you. A rheumatologist who has been in private practice for 25 years at Arthritis Associates, Kingsport, Tenn., he has…

Social & Psychological Elements Are Vital to Rheumatology Care

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CHICAGO—To drive home the importance of how social determinants can make or break a person’s health, Jillian Rose, LCSW, MPH, the director of community, engagement, diversity and research at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, told a story about a gardener planting flowers at the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting. In the story,…