Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

From the College

Free Certified Education Units (CEUs) for Coders

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In these hard economic times, it is good to have access to free educational tools that coders can use to maintain their certification. If you or your coders are certified with the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), there are some helpful avenues to getting free CEUs.

Pearls for Preauthorization

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Over the next several months, “From the College” will offer practical tips on improving office management guidelines, putting the latest healthcare information technology to work for you, and coding. This month, “From the College” offers some pearls for preauthorization.

Value-Driven Healthcare Moving Into Your Practice

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In last month’s issue, “From the College” gave a brief overview of the theory of value-driven healthcare; in this month’s edition, we’ll move from the theory of value-driven healthcare to its implementation in today’s healthcare system.

In Memoriam

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A very sad note for all who knew Ronald Bennett, MD, my partner of almost 30 years.

Stuart A. Green, MD, Receives Leadership Award

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Congratulations to Stuart A. Green, MD, chief of rheumatology at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York, who will receive the 2009 Physician Leadership Award from the New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.

I RheumPAC, Do You?

Jim Engelbrecht, MD  |  

For many years, the ACR board of directors and Government Affairs Committee have done exemplary work in keeping members abreast of legislative regulatory issues that affect all aspects of rheumatology, including patient and physician/healthcare professional issues, education, and research. Through advocacy, the ACR advances rheumatology and fosters excellence in the care of people with, or at risk for, arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. One might say that advocacy is a cornerstone of this organization.

New Annual Scientific Meeting Registration and Syllabi Initiatives

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Each year, the ACR solicits feedback from annual meeting attendees. This feedback isn’t just stored in a file somewhere; it is reviewed and action is taken as a part of the ACR’s commitment to providing a quality educational experience at every annual meeting.

Value-Based Purchasing: The Future of US HealthCare?

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Purchasers of healthcare are beginning to take a more active role in ensuring they receive value for their health care dollars, and these savvy shoppers want to develop programs to increase the quality and efficiency of the care they purchase. This movement has given rise to the concept of value-driven healthcare, commonly called value-based purchasing. Over the next three months, “From the College” will take a look at this type of purchasing and provide rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals with practical advice on how to stand out to these value-based purchasers.