Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

ARHP in 2008

Kimberly Kimpton, PT  |  

As I begin my presidency, let me thank you—the ARHP membership—for allowing me to steer this organization through the 2008 year. As a physical therapist in clinical practice for more than 25 years, I have experienced the challenges of treating people with arthritis and rheumatic diseases. For the past 13 years, I have served the ARHP in various capacities and, as my personal involvement in the ARHP has grown, my knowledge of this premier rheumatology organization has also expanded.

2008 ARHP Rheumatology Audioconference Series

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An increasing number of busy healthcare professionals are taking advantage of the ARHP Rheumatology Audioconference Series—a no-travel educational offering approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Since 2004 the Rheumatology Audioconference Series has provided an alternative mode of education for rheumatology health professionals.

Life Lessons and Career Empowerment

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Since he was a high-school freshman, Nathan Faulkner has known he was going to pursue a career in medicine. Trauma to his left eye sparked his interest in the anatomy and physiology of the eye, and he originally considered a career in ophthalmology.

How to Communicate with Elected Officials

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Some people shy away from advocating for issues that are important to them because they feel it is too difficult, think their voice and opinions won’t make a difference, or feel it will be too time consuming to become an advocate.

Clean Claims Equal Prompt Payment

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Submitting a clean Medicare reimbursement claim the first time can save your practice thousands of dollars each year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) defines a clean claim as “a submitted patient claim form without any defect or need for substantiation.”

Is Your Office Lab Up to Par?

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Rheumatology practices with laboratory testing facilities in their offices can offer important benefits to patients and physicians. During their care of patients with musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases, rheumatologists may order many tests, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, synovial fluid analysis, complete blood count, fecal occult test, and urinalysis. While the prompt receipt of test results and the capability to evaluate specimens in the office directly improves efficiency, it is important to remember that offices must be certified to perform laboratory testing, particularly high-complexity tests such as the analysis of synovial fluids.

Medicine’s for the Birds

David S. Pisetsky, MD, PhD  |  

In the healthcare game plan, how will physicians get the ball?

Plan for Success in 2008

David A. Fox, MD  |  

We’re ready for the rewards and challenges of the coming year