Members’ voices are crucial to making an impact on policies that have an impact on healthcare. Here, we’d like to thank members who have invested in the first half of this year, yielding $16,000 more than was raised over the same time period last year. In response to an in-depth examination of RheumPAC in 2016,…
The Walk from the Waiting Room
For a rheumatology practice, rooming time can be leveraged to improve efficiency and patient care. Christie Bartels, MD, MS, and colleagues have studied this time frame and developed data-based tips and tools to decrease variation among staff and streamline practices…
5 Easy-to-Implement Quality Improvement Projects for Rheumatology Practices
Quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) work makes sense to focus on. However, finding the time and resources for QI projects is not always easy. Until now, the business case for QI in rheumatology practice has not always been clear. However, this is changing with implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)…
ACR Advocates for Regulatory Relief and Flexibility for MACRA
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) continues to provide feedback to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about the implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 on behalf of rheumatologists. The bipartisan bill repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate and transitioned Medicare from fee for service to a system…
Quality Measures Used to Assess Care, Improve Outcomes in Children, Adults with Rheumatic Diseases
WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a session during the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, aptly called Quality Measures and Quality of Care I, a panel of experts presented information on a number of programs underway in rheumatology using quality measures to both assess and improve patient outcomes. Leading off were two presentations on programs using quality measures to improve…
Insurance Subcommittee to the Rescue
Concerned about reimbursement for specialty drugs? Wondering if your patient can continue on a prescribed medication despite formulary changes? Unsure how to request a tier exception? No need to face these issues alone. The ACR has a resource that can assist with questions regarding coverage and payment policies for private insurers and Medicare. That resource…
2015 ACR Workforce Study Report Offers Rheumatologists Chance to Improve Patient Care, Financial Outlook
I read the 2015 ACR Workforce Study Report with great interest as one who served on the 2005 Manpower Taskforce.1,2 I found it disappointing that the deficit in rheumatologist FTEs that we predicted a decade ago has become a fact. Of even greater concern, the strategies we proposed to address this problem have not been…
New Physician Payment Reforms Highlight Need for Quality Coding, Accurate Documentation
To be an effective practice owner, it is necessary to understand the financial circumstances and environment of the practice’s operation. Well-managed practices prevent the loss of time and money. Therefore, to improve productivity and operating efficiencies, you need to have a basic understanding of billing and payment initiatives that will impact the practice’s bottom line….
Deadline to Seek Review for Potential Payment Penalties
Wondering if you will be subject to 2017 payment penalties associated with the PQRS and the Value Modifier? Practices have until Nov. 30 to file for an informal data review.
Racial Bias Found in Pain Assessment, Management, Treatment Recommendations by Clinicians
In the world of evidence-based medicine, basing diagnosis and treatment decisions on belief instead of data seems anachronistic. And yet … clinicians are human, and humans live in culture, and culture is formed by beliefs, and beliefs (consciously or unconsciously) drive perception and, often, action. So a new study shining a light on racial bias…
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