Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

ICD-9 Freeze and ICD-10 Code Update

By Antanya Chung, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CCP  |  

Each year as a part of normal coding process, diagnostic codes are updated to reflect revised, new, and deleted codes through the CMS ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee. Diagnostic code changes and updates are based on information from vendors, physicians, or other health professionals that demonstrate a current code does not adequately describe a disease, sign, or symptom—or simply that the code is no longer appropriate for use.

Supporting the Rheumatology Workforce

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This month, the ACR will host the 13th Annual Rheumatology Training Directors’ Conference in Chicago. The conference is designed to provide training directors access to valuable resources and expose them to innovative teaching methods that will enable them to improve and strengthen their curriculum.

The Dos and Don’ts of E/M Coding

By Melesia Tillman, CPC, CRHC, CHA  |  

Coding medical procedures and diagnoses can be a daunting task if you are not educated in this field. I am going to break down the rules for evaluation and management (E/M) coding, so take a deep breath and let’s jump in!

Make Discoveries at State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium

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Clinical excellence is the foundation of a successful practice. Advancing the integration of evidence-based science and clinical expertise, the State-of-the-Art Clinical Symposium leads the way for rheumatologists to enhance their professional effectiveness and improve their patients’ outcomes.

Advocate from Your Office the Week of March 14

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The ACR is urging the 112th Congress to address many issues important to rheumatology including appropriate reimbursement for specialty care, the repeated battle to avert Medicare payment cuts, funding for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program, continued fair reimbursement for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and the need for increased research funding.

The REF: A Facilitator of Mentoring

By E. William St.Clair, MD  |  

The ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) has made a substantial commitment to supporting career development through its many grant programs, such as the preceptorships for medical and graduate students and residents, the Rheumatology Scientist Development Award, the Rheumatology Investigator Award, and the Career Development Bridge Funding Award, provided in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation.

2011 CMS e-Prescribing Program: Will You Get Hit with Penalties?

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The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 provides for e-prescribing financial incentives in 2011 and financial penalties in 2012 and 2013. When you successfully e-prescribe and report on 25 patient encounters, you will be eligible to receive a 1% incentive of the total estimated allowed charges for professional services covered by Medicare Part B rendered in 2011. The big news, however, is the payment reductions for those who do not successfully meet e-prescribing reporting requirements that will be applied—1% in 2012 and 1.5% in 2013.