Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

Pain is a Tricky Thing to Treat, or Even Evaluate

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Rheumatology is such a gratifying and emotionally rewarding medical specialty. There is no better feeling than helping patients with conditions whose proper diagnosis and management have eluded other practitioners. A patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) presents with pain, and a major clinical tenet of DISH has been its lack of association with pain.

Gout – Rheumatology’s Royal Pain

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Gout is a common rheumatic disease often characterized by swelling, redness, and intense pain in the big toe. Once thought to be an exclusive disease of the wealthy who overindulged in food and spirits, gout has become a royal pain for millions of Americans.

Patient Fact Sheet – Gout

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Gout is a painful and potentially disabling form of arthritis that has been recognized since ancient times. Treatments are available to control most cases of gout, but diagnosing this disorder can be difficult, and treatment plans often have to be tailored for each person.

New Patient vs. Established Patient Office Visits

Melesia Tillman, CPC-I, CRHC, CHA  |  

Office visits are considered evaluation and management codes (E/M) in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual and are a fundamental part of a rheumatologist’s day. There are two types of office visits: new patient and established patient.

A Journey Begins with the First Step

David I. Daikh, MD, PhD  |  

The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) has launched the Action Alliance network, a program that calls on rheumatologists, investigators, and health professionals to join the REF in asking patients and families to be a part of the conversation. The Action Alliance consists of two programs working together: From the Field Speakers Bureau and Patients and Families for Progress.

Coding Corner – New Patient vs. Established Patient Quiz

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New Patient vs. Established Patient Quiz 1. A 65-year-old female patient comes to see Dr. Raven at her new practice. The last time this patient saw Dr. Raven was eight weeks ago at her old practice. What type of patient visit is this? Established New 2. Dr. Smith joins a new practice and many of…

Coding Corner Answer – New Patient vs. Established Patient Quiz

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Take the challenge… 1. A: Established. Even though Dr. Raven is now practicing at a new location, the patient is considered an established patient because she received professional services from Dr. Raven within the past three years. The CPT manual defines a new patient as “one who has not received any professional services from the…

Magnify Rheumatology’s Legislative Impact this Month

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Members of the ACR’s Executive, Government Affairs, and RheumPAC Committees, along with the Affiliate Society Council, attended 75 meetings with legislators and their staff. These meetings are critical to advancing awareness of rheumatology and the issues affecting your profession and patients.

ACR’s Advocacy Toolkit

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Ways to contact your member of Congress; tips for communicating with your member of Congress; ways to get patients involved; and donloadable briefs, posters, and brochures.