In 2008, the only Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) measure that applied to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. For 2009, five new RA measures were included, for a total of six measures in the new RA Measures Group. The five new measures were developed in 2008 by the National Committee for Quality Assurance in collaboration with the ACR and the American Medical Association’s Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and were subsequently adopted by Medicare.
A New Breed of Practice
As small practice physicians are forced to combat increasing overhead and shriveling reimbursement, we seem to be entering an era of medical practice Darwinism—survival of those that are most fit to operate in today’s severe and unforgiving healthcare environment.
November Is “Heal that Claim” Month
The ACR is joining with the American Medical Association (AMA) in promoting November as “Heal that Claim” month.
“My Office Manager Handles That”
Some rheumatologists in private practice are fortunate enough to have office managers who handle the business side of medicine for them. However, the truth is that it is the physician who is the leader of his or her practice, not the office manager. If nothing else, the physician is the one who manages the office manager.
The Bone and Joint Decade at the 4/5ths Mark
Missions accomplished?
Let the ACR Help You Improve Your Practice
Today’s rheumatology practices face increasing internal and external pressures. Staffing effectiveness and efficiency, overhead increases, coding and billing issues, litigious employees, conflicts with colleagues, new competition, changing patient attitudes, new revenue constraints, and managed care contracting and compliance are just some of the pressures that constantly push practices to their limits.
The Difficult Patient Interaction in Rheumatology
How to smooth tough patient encounters
Rheum to Learn
The ARHP’s new NP/PA rheumatology training program will provide a boost to the workforce
Collect Co-pays, Deductibles, and Co-insurance Every Time
Do you know how many patients leave physician practices without paying their co-pays? The number is startling, and the cost for rheumatology practices is substantial.
Letters to the Editor
Feedback from our Readers