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

From the College

New ACR and ARHP Leaders Join the Ranks

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The ACR is pleased to welcome new and returning leaders to the ACR board of directors and ARHP executive committee who were appointed in November. The following members were selected to serve as the newest members-at-large of the ACR board of directors. Each of them shared what they will bring to the table.

Medical Necessity—What Does it Mean?

Melesia Tillman, CPC, CRHC, CHA  |  

Almost every physician in this country has heard this phrase, “denied as not meeting medical necessity for the service performed.” What does this mean? How does a practice document medical necessity? Not knowing the answer to these questions can greatly affect a rheumatology practice’s financial well-being.

Practice PAGE

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A New Era of Coding for Rheumatology Practices

RHEUMATOLOGY PRACTICE PEARLS: Beware of Charting Pitfalls

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Are your medical records up to date and complete? Medical records should always be complete and have accurate documentation to avoid violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or other documentation guidelines.

New GIOP Guidelines Available

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The ACR published new recommendations for the management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in the November issue of Arthritis Care & Research. These guidelines have been endorsed by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. They apply to adult patients receiving oral glucocorticoid therapy.

Naturally Occurring Antibodies May Lead to New RA Therapies

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A study published in the Journal of Immunology indicates that naturally occurring antibodies in the human immune system have the capacity to suppress inflammatory responses throughout the body. These antibodies may provide researchers an opportunity to develop new therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory conditions using similar pathways.

2011 Legislative Outlook Important for Rheumatology

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Next year is shaping up to be an important year for rheumatology on Capitol Hill. Issues that remain unresolved by the last Congress include concerns within the Affordable Care Act, the need for a stable Medicare system with fair physician reimbursement, funding for the pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program, and appropriate reimbursement for specialty care. Most congressional leaders, newly elected or re-elected, know very little about arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. That is why it is critical that rheumatology professionals reach out and educate them on the importance of specialty care and the impact these diseases have on one’s quality of life.