ATLANTA—With growing demand for access to rheumatologists in rural areas, a shortage in the number of rheumatologists and the ability to use technology as a bridge to patients in remote areas, telemedicine seems like a smart option. And it certainly can be, experts said at a 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting session in November. But a…
Predictive data models can be used to identify when patients may miss their appointments, reduce these incidents and increase scheduling efficiency. Here are some tips for the physician practice setting…
Based on a request by the ACR Insurance Subcommittee, off-label use of mycophenolate for scleroderma has been added to a Medicare-approved compendium.
The Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) 2019 MIPS submission tool will open in mid-January. RISE staff are in the process of completing final data refreshes and reviews to ensure data accuracy. The ACR will notify all practices as soon as the submission tool is open. Practices are requested to complete their submission by March…
Take the challenge. Answers Biosimilars Methotrexate Time Presenting problem Ultrasound guidance International Classification of Diseases Current Procedural Terminology Trigger points Osteoporosis Osteoarthritis
Questions What type of drug is interchangeable with an FDA-approved biologic? What drug is used in conjunction with infliximab, unless the patient cannot tolerate it? What can be used as a key element in an evaluation and management (E/M) service, along with the history, exam and medical decision making? What drives the level of an…
Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is simplifying documentation through its Patients over Paperwork initiative, clinical documentation improvement (CDI) did not go away. CDI is not about how to code in ICD-10-CM or the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT); instead, it is a huge part of the solution in maximizing the integrity of…
A recent study reveals the common misconceptions of primary care physicians about rheumatologic care, such as the difference between inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthropathy. Researchers believe such misconceptions can be targeted to improve patients’ timely access to care and diagnosis…
It’s time to prepare for 2019 MIPS reporting via the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) registry, and the ACR is here to help. To ensure you’re ready to submit your data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), RISE users should take the following steps: Review your data in the dashboard; Make…
Beginning in October 2019, two major commercial payers, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, discontinued payment for consultation services. The CPT codes affected include 99241–99245 and 99251–99255. The payers have instructed providers to instead bill the non-consultative evaluation and management (E/M) codes that best describe the services performed. If the non-face-to-face service goes beyond the usual time a…