As ACR leaders and volunteers visit Capitol Hill to advocate for stabilizing Medicare physician payment rates, you can join the effort from anywhere. Send your lawmakers a message today through the Legislative Action Center.
FDA Proposal for Biosimilar Use in 2025 Budget
A proposal for biosimilar use in the 2025 budget would allow substitution of any biosimilar for its reference product without an interchangeable designation. The hope is to increase biosimilar uptake, with the subsequent potential to increase product “competition, access and affordability.”1 In the 2025 budget proposal, the Biden administration noted that the legal distinction between…
Gwenesta B. Melton, MD, Appointed New Chair of Affiliate Society Council
Gwenesta B. Melton, MD, wears many hats as a rheumatologist, teacher and champion for advocacy and collaboration. She has been involved with the ASC for more than a decade.
Updates from the ACR Insurance Subcommittee
The Insurance Subcommittee is working to address coverage and reimbursement challenges facing rheumatology practices, including issues related to biosimilar use, in-office treatments and the new G2211 code.
The ACR Gets Rheumatologists Paid More
The implementation of the new G2211 code on Jan. 1 increases reimbursement for rheumatology visits, but the ACR continues to fight for retroactive repayment of the across-the-board Medicare physician reimbursement cuts implemented at the same time, as well as structural changes to the program to make serving Medicare patients sustainable for rheumatologists in the long term.
Support RheumPAC to Keep Rheumatology in Healthcare Policy Conversations
2024 is an election year, which means it is more critical than ever that RheumPAC is well equipped to support campaigns and take part in important healthcare discussions on Capitol Hill.
The ACR Advocates for G2211 Reimbursement under Medicare Advantage & Commercial Plans
The ACR is reaching out to Medicare Advantage and commercial payers to ensure appropriate reimbursement for the new complex care add-on code, G2211, implemented for outpatient office visits starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Advocacy 101 Applications Now Open
The program will take place May 5–7 in conjunction with the ACR Advocacy Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. Fellows in training, program directors and ARP members passionate about advocacy and governance are especially encouraged to apply
The ACR Urges House to Reverse NIH Research Funding Cuts
A bill approved last year by the House Appropriations Committee contains dire cuts to funding for the National Institutes of Health. The ACR is urging the House to revise this language and the Senate not to allow these cuts to go through. Contact your legislators to convey the importance of robust investment in the nation’s medical research enterprise and how funding cuts harm patient care.
Rheum in the Court, Law in the Clinic: Health Policy in Global Rheumatology
SAN DIEGO—At ACR Convergence 2023, panelists presented information concerning several policy issues that affect rheumatologists & their patients, including abortion access & the WHO’s Essential Medicine List.