Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

From the College

Recognize Your Colleagues with Awards and Masters Nominations

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Each year, the ACR recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program, and individuals are nominated for ACR Awards of Distinction and for a Master designation by their colleagues. This year, nominations will be accepted through May 15, and award recipients are recommended to the ACR board of directors by the Committee on Nominations and Appointments in late summer. Awards will be presented at the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting’s Opening Lecture.

Identity Theft: Red Flag Rules Take Effect

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adopted a rule that requires creditors to institute programs to spot suspicious activity (commonly called “red flags”) that may signal identity theft, and the red flag rules take effect May 1, 2009. The FTC defines a creditor as any entity that regularly accepts deferred payment for goods and services.

Five Coding and Billing Myths that Can Hurt Your Practice

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When it comes to billing, there are plenty of myths and erroneous sayings used by consultants and payers to keep you guessing and make your head spin. Billing seems endlessly mystical, and it is important that physician practices stay as informed as possible to be effective and efficient. With today’s financial situation, it is even more important that rheumatology practices know the rules of billing—This will save you time and money in the long run.

Find and Keep the Right Employees: Part 2

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In last month’s “From the College,” we began looking at a management cycle, called the Five Rs of physician leadership, designed to help physician leaders move from being managing-managers to coaching-leaders.

Physical Activity Among People with Arthritis

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At the young age of 25, Julie Keysor, PhD, PT, associate professor in the department of physical therapy and athletic training at Sargent College of Boston University, was diagnosed with bilateral knee arthritis and had already undergone three knee surgeries. Because of this, and through her work as a physical therapist, Dr. Keysor has a unique perspective on physical functioning, activity, and community involvement among people with knee osteoarthritis.

The Arthritis Act: Where Is It Now? What Can I Do?

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In September 2008, the “Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act” passed the House of Representatives. Unfortunately this legislation failed to pass through the Senate and did not become a law. (The Arthritis Act had to be passed in both congressional chambers and signed by the president for the bill to become law.)

Demonstrators Demand More Money for Arthritis Research—What Could Happen?

Leslie Crofford, MD  |  

I recently came across a fictional publication called the Not Yet Gazette with a front-page story dated November 10, 2025, entitled, “Demonstrators demand more money for arthritis research.” The fictional report gave details of a crowd of 100,000, “many in wheelchairs,” confronting the health secretary of that time. The genesis of this fictional article was the observed trend towards the aging of the population and slow growth in research funding. The article stated that, “ ‘Fiscal constraints caused by slow economic growth and resistance to tax increases have greatly reduced allocations for medical research grants in recent years,’ [the health secretary] told the delegates. ‘Unfortunately, in our current political climate, funding for health research is limited,’ she said to reporters after the meeting. ‘We have to devote our limited resources to diseases that are more immediately life-threatening.’ ”

Gout

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