ACR Convergence 2025| Video: Rheuminations on Milestones & Ageism

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

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Figure 2: High-resolution computed tomography showed evidence of interstitial lung disease.

High-resolution computed tomography shows evidence of ILD.

The ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice, a video
In collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians, the ACR released two new comprehensive guidelines aimed at improving the screening, monitoring, and treatment of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Recently, Sindhu R. Johnson, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, director of the Toronto Scleroderma Program and principal investigator for the guideline, and Elana J. Bernstein, MD, MSc, Florence Irving associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University, New York City, and co-first author, presented a webinar to talk about how the guidelines were developed and present some of the recommendations and their rationale: Watch the recording now!

 

Executive Order Ties U.S. Drug Prices to Lowest Global Rates

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In May, the Trump administration published an executive order requiring drug companies to bring prices in line with those paid by other developed nations, otherwise known as Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing. Although the June 11 deadline has come and gone, no details have been released as to whether drug companies have opted to negotiate or if the government will implement any enforcement action.

ACR Meets with Trump Administration to Discuss 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

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Issues discussed at a meeting with the Office of Management & Budget included increasing Medicare reimbursement for physicians, telemedicine permanence, removing G2211 restrictions, adequate reimbursement for therapies and more flexibility for chemotherapy administration codes. The proposed rule is currently under review by the OMB, which is usually the last step prior to releasing publicly for stakeholder review and comment.

Arkansas Leads the Nation with Landmark Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform

Joseph Cantrell, JD  |  

Signed into law in April, the legislation will ban direct and indirect PBM ownership of pharmacies, effective Jan. 1, 2026. It addresses longstanding concerns about conflicts of interest, market consolidation and patient access created by vertically integrated PBM pharmacy models.

The ACR Calls on CMS, OMB to Reduce Burdensome Healthcare Regulations

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In response to agency requests for feedback on how to streamline regulations and reduce administrative burden on Medicare program stakeholders and small business owners, the ACR called for the removal of certain regulations related to prior authorization, pharmacy benefit managers and Medicare Part B and Part D access.

Incarcerated Individuals with Rheumatic Conditions

Katherine Terracina, MD, & Prajakta P. Masurkar, PhD  |  

In addition to the impediments to consistent, high-quality care suffered by all incarcerated individuals, incarcerated patients with rheumatic disease face challenges specific to the treatment, management & monitoring of rheumatic conditions.

ACR Responds to Aetna Specialty Pharmacy Requirements

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Aetna recently notified practices about the launch of its Combined Benefit Management Drug List, which will result in romosozumab-aqqg (Evenity) and infliximab (Remicade) moving to pharmacy-only coverage on July 1. The ACR is working to oppose this change.