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

Articles by From the College

IV Saline Shortage Update

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Early last month we informed you about the IV saline solution shortage that was exacerbated by Hurricane Maria’s impact on Baxter’s manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico. Since then, the ACR advocacy team has been working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its ongoing efforts to resolve the fluid shortage. Currently, the FDA has…

CMS Finalizes Changes in CY 2018 for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

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We previously alerted you to a CMS-proposed change that would cut reimbursement for the complete diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) significantly. We are pleased to report that, in its final rule, the CMS reversed that decision, and providers will see a reasonable reimbursement for the exam. The ACR advocated on your behalf for this change through…

Virtual Groups: Another Option for Reporting MIPS Participation through RISE

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RISE now has three means of reporting through the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): individual, group and the recently added virtual groups. According to the CMS, virtual groups allow individual MIPS-eligible clinicians or groups consisting of not more than 10 MIPS-eligible clinicians to join together and report as if they were a single entity. The…

The Rheumatology Clinical Registry Is Now Open for Reporting

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The Rheumatology Clinical Registry (RCR) is open for reporting. As we are approaching the end of the 2017 MIPS performance year, however, keep in mind that to report via the RCR, your last date to enter patient information will be Jan. 15, 2018. You can access the RCR’s updated dashboard here. Remember to use your…

RISE: What’s New for You in 2018?

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Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) has been on a gradual incline toward requiring full participation by eligible providers. During its transition stage, reporting for the first year (2017) allowed providers the option to report as partial, full, minimum or not at all, with varying degrees of penalties and incentives across all three reporting components:…

Rheumatology Future Physician–Scientist Award Available for MD/PhD Students

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The Rheumatology Research Foundation is now offering the Rheumatology Future Physician-Scientist Award to enhance the training of promising MD/PhD or DO/PhD students who intend to become physician-scientists. As part of the Foundation’s work to recruit and train the next generation of rheumatology professionals, the award supports the nation’s top emerging physician-scientists. S. Louis Bridges Jr., MD,…

ACR Monitoring Saline Supply Shortage Due to Hurricanes in Puerto Rico

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The ACR is aware of the shortage of intravenous saline solutions produced in Puerto Rico that is beginning to emerge across the U.S. and in rheumatology practices. In September, Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on the island, wiping out the island’s power grid and greatly hindering saline solution production. Puerto Rico produces about 10%…

AMA Workshop Focuses on Alternative Payment Models

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On Oct. 4 in Chicago, the AMA hosted its second workshop on alternative payment models (APMs). The conference room was packed with providers and staff from specialty societies ready to listen to a whole day’s worth of APM presentations from professionals in the field. To kick off the meeting, AMA President-Elect Barbara McAneny, MD, welcomed…