Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

The ACR Maintains Seat at the AMA Table, Achieves Successful Resolutions at HOD Meeting

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Together our voice is heard; our influence is alive. In 2017, ACR members heard the call of the Rheumatology Strong campaign and joined the American Medical Association (AMA) in force, ensuring the College maintains its representation in the country’s largest—and arguably most influential—physician society. “We surpassed our minimum 1,000-member goal by a margin and are hopeful…

Anthem to Reduce E/M Reimbursement When Billed with Modifier 25

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Anthem Blue Cross recently announced changes to its reimbursement policies for modifier 25. As of Jan. 1, 2018, Anthem plans in California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wisconsin will reduce reimbursement for evaluation and management (E/M) services by 50% when billed with modifier 25. This policy will expand to Missouri on Feb….

Legislative Successes in 2017: Rheumatologists lead the push in Congress for access to care, research funding, transparency in drug pricing

Larry Beresford  |  

SAN DIEGO—The 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, Nov. 3–8, presented opportunities to highlight its 2017 legislative advocacy victories, some of which were resolved just weeks before the conference began, as well as issues that are still outstanding. In the session, Legislative & Regulatory Update 2017, Angus Worthing, MD, chair of the ACR’s Government Advocacy Committee and…

Rheumatology Coding Corner Answers: 2017 End-of-Year Quiz

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Take the challenge. 1. B—No. CPT 99358, prolonged evaluation and management service can be billed before or after direct patient care, first hour or 99539 —each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for prolonged service). This code cannot be used to bill a higher level E/M visit code. According to 2017 CPT:…

Rheumatology Coding Corner Questions: 2017 End-of-Year Quiz

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1. A 68-year-old new female patient has an appointment to see the rheumatologist in four days. The patient has her medical records sent over from her primary care physician, neurologist and endocrinologist for the rheumatologist to review prior to the visit. Upon receipt, the rheumatologist spends 55 minutes reviewing the records and making notes. Can…

ARHP Master Designation Award Will Debut at the 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Elizabeth A. Schlenk, PhD, RN, FAAN, & Afton L. Hassett, PsyD  |  

The ACR Board of Directors approved the ARHP Master Designation at its August 2017 meeting. The first two ARHP Master Designation awardees will be honored at the ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in Chicago on Oct. 20, 2018. Recognition as a Master of the ARHP is one of the highest honors that the ARHP bestows to members….

Rheumatologist Channels Military Aspirations into Role with U.S. Navy Reserve

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In 2010, Thomas Bartow, MD, FACP, finally ran out of excuses. Ever since high school, he had wanted to join the military. But too many things got in the way—like attending medical school at State University of New York at Stony Brook. After graduation in 1980, he performed his residency in internal medicine at Rush-Presbyterian-St….

Does MRI Differentiate Osteoarthritis and Meniscal Tear in Knee Pain?

Kelly April Tyrrell  |  

When a young patient arrives at a clinic complaining of knee pain with clicking or popping, a meniscal tear is often the culprit. “In young [people], there’s a pretty classic presentation of meniscal tear, with clicking and other mechanical symptoms, because the tear rubs up against different tissues,” says Jeffrey Katz, MD, MSc, a rheumatologist…

Long-Term Benefits, Risks of Biologic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs in Patients with RA

Nan Yang, PharmD, & Kurt Oelke, MD, on behalf of the ARHP Practice Committee  |  

Two decades have passed since the first biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) was approved. Studies on the long-term use of biologics in different disease states, such as for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and malignancy, as well as for knee/hip replacement, reveal some encouraging news. In clinical trials, bDMARDs have been shown to increase the risk of…