On Nov. 1, the CMS finalized the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2023. The rule finalizes many policies, significantly: a 4.5% decrease in the conversion factor, a delay in split/shared implementation, continued refinement of evaluation and management coding and documentation, and telehealth flexibilities that will remain in place through 2023. Thanks to ACR advocacy, the CMS reinstated five-minute pre- and post-service times for musculoskeletal ultrasound codes.
At the AMA House of Delegates meeting in November, the ACR’s delegation will lead over a dozen cosponsoring specialties and medical associations in advancing a resolution addressing serious concerns about third-party pharmacy benefit administrators and the impacts of their disruptive practices.
In November, RheumPAC will be leading its annual matching campaign and hosting two events at ACR Convergence 2022. Thanks to matching donors, every contribution in November will be amplified.
We at the ACR acknowledge all ACR, ARP and Rheumatology Research Foundation volunteers whose committee terms are ending in November. Thank you for your valuable time and efforts toward advancing rheumatology during a challenging time. ACR: Board of Directors Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc; ACR President Barbara Slusher, MSW, PA-C; ARP President Anne R. Bass,…
This session at ACR Convergence 2022, on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, from 9–10 a.m. EST, will examine guidelines and current evidence regarding the management and outcomes of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Alexis Ogdie, MD, a rheumatologist and associate professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, will present data to highlight the evolution…
On Monday, Nov. 14, Michael Pillinger, MD, will moderate the session Gout Is an Autoinflammatory Metabolic Disease at ACR Convergence 2022. This session will address the autoinflammatory nature of gout and highlight it as an IL-1β-mediated diseases. Increasing knowledge on the inflammatory mechanisms of gout has implications for disease management. These engaging talks will review…
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Sept. 14, the ACR praised the House of Representatives for overwhelmingly passing bipartisan legislation intended to make it easier for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries to access the timely care they need. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3173) passed the House on a voice vote. If enacted, the bill will create…
ATLANTA—The ACR released a summary of its updated guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in September. Many patients take glucocorticoids for a variety of inflammatory conditions, and anyone who is taking glucocorticoid medications and has other risk factors for osteoporosis increases their risk of developing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. New osteoporosis medications and new…
On Sept. 13, the ACR and Kevin D. Deane, MD, PhD, presented a proposal to create a new clinical code to recognize a condition in which an individual may exhibit rheumatoid arthritis-related autoantibodies without clinical presentation.
Patient stories are a powerful way to highlight ways that healthcare policies affect the everyday lives of people with rheumatic diseases.