Exclusive: ACR Convergence 2024| Focus Rheums

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

From the College

Reactive Arthritis

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Reactive arthritis is highlighted this month in our ongoing series on patient education materials.

AC&R to Publish Monthly in 2008

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In order to meet the increasing demand for rheumatology-focused articles, AC&R will begin publishing 12 issues per year in January 2008. AC&R publishes both original research and review articles that promote excellence in the clinical practice of rheumatology. Covered topics include evidence-based practice studies; clinical problems; practice guidelines; healthcare economics; healthcare policy; educational, social, and public health issues; and future trends in rheumatology practice.

Contact Congress Today about Medicare Reimbursement

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Changing the Medicare physician reimbursement formula so that it more accurately mirrors the cost of care is a top legislative concern for the ACR this year. The reimbursement scale is currently calculated using the sustainable growth rate (SGR), which is based on the gross domestic product and is irrelevant to medical care. The formula has steadily decreased physician reimbursement since its inception.

ARHP Progress Report

Karen L. Kerr, MSN, NP, CPNP, APRN-BC  |  

The ARHP has made significant progress toward the goals identified in its long range plan for this year, and I would like to share some of these achievements with you.

ACR REF Niche Award Helps Define a Research Career

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Joyce Hsu, MD, has always been interested in pediatric medicine and she found a perfect niche for herself in pediatric rheumatology. She completed a pediatric residency at the University of California, Los Angeles and worked as a general pediatrician for a year while considering rheumatology.

ACR Policy On Expert Witness Testimony

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The ACR Board of Directors recently approved a policy and guidelines on expert witness testimony in medical malpractice litigation. Many ACR members have been called to testify in medical malpractice litigation—or will be called in the future—and the ACR recognized the need for medical expert testimony guidelines that serve the public interest by ensuring that testimony is readily available, objective, and unbiased.

Two Years of Helping Patients Obtain Prescriptions

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April 5, 2007 marked the second anniversary of the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). Sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies, the PPA helps lower income, uninsured, and underinsured patients obtain prescription medicines for free or at nominal cost.

Some Lupus Tests Yield False Results

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The ACR’s Regional Advisory Council (RAC) has received several member reports of false results on antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests. The test screens for systemic lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, and other diseases. Results are used to direct treatment, so accuracy is crucial.

UnitedHealth Group to Require MRI Accreditation

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Starting March 1, 2008, UnitedHealth Group will require all freestanding facilities and physician offices that perform MRIs and certain other imaging studies to obtain accreditation. Physicians without accreditation will not be reimbursed for the technical or global codes. UnitedHealth Group is the umbrella organization for insurance companies such as United Healthcare, Ovations, and AmeriChoice.