Methotrexate Codes & Billing Updated
As of April 1, HCPCS codes for methotrexate have changed. The ACR is working with the CMS to determine how rheumatologists should bill Medicare corrrectly. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 22, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Billing/Coding Methotrexate Methylprednisolone Source Type: research
State by State —an Update on Proposed Legislation to Benefit Rheumatology
The state legislative tracker shows rheumatology-related bills the ACR is actively tracking in state legislatures across the country. It lists bills by issue area and state and is regularly updated to show each bill's progression through the legislative process. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 21, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Joseph Cantrell, JD Tags: Legislation & Advocacy Practice Support state legislation Source Type: research
Advocate from Home for Medicare Payment Reform on Capitol Hill
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. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 21, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Legislation & Advocacy Advocacy Leadership Conference Source Type: research
Planning Travel to State Rheumatology Conferences
Much more than just CME, state society meetings offer a way to expand your professional network, explore what other states are working on and even build in some leisure time or family activities. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 20, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Joseph Cantrell, JD Tags: Education & Training Professional Topics state society Source Type: research
FDA Approves New Biosimilars to Denosumab with an Interchangeable Designation
The FDA has approved the first interchangeable biosimilars for denosumab. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders denosumab denosumab-bbdz Jubbonti Prolia Wyost Xgeva Source Type: research
Clinically Significant Pain Relief with a Non-Opioid Drug
In a phase 3 trial, treatment with VX-548 led to statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain compared with placebo. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 18, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP Tags: Analgesics Drug Updates Pain Syndromes VX-548 Source Type: research
Rheum for Everyone, Episode 7: Handshakes, Waves, Fist Bumps & More
In this episode, Dr. Kumar reflects on the value of physical touch in the clinical encounter, a key element of a holistic patient assessment that can reveal important diagnostic information and strengthen connection between doctor and patient. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 16, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, RhMSUS Tags: Opinion Rheuminations Video Rheum for Everyone Source Type: research
ACR Image Competition 2023 Results, Part 5
For the 2023 Image Competition, the ACR sought images representing a diverse range of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) or IIM mimics. Pneumomediastinum & Ulcerative Cutaneous Dermatomyositis These images depict a 22-year-old woman with a recent diagnosis of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5) antibody dermatomyositis who sought evaluation of worsening skin rashes and pleuritic... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 11, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: David Mecham, DO Tags: Conditions Myositis anti-MDA-5 antibody dermatomyositis image case report Image Competition Source Type: research
Research Review of Plant-Based Diet for Patients with Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis
About 30 years ago, early in his career as a rheumatologist, Dirkjan van Schaardenburg, PhD, says patients with osteoarthritis experienced terrible problems with inflammation. The landscape has improved to the point that “people can live with it now,” he says. But they still need help. For example, osteoarthritis affects 7% of the global population, according... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Ryan Basen Tags: Conditions Osteoarthritis and Bone Disorders Research Reviews Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Plants for Health Plants for Joints Source Type: research
Optimizing DMARD Use in Older Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis
SAN DIEGO—Older adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comprise two groups: those who have lived with diagnosed RA since an early age (young-onset RA) and those who have new-onset RA diagnosed at an older age (≥65 years), known as late-onset RA or, formerly, as elderly onset RA.1 Individuals with late-onset RA have more acute and systemic... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Devyani Misra, MD, MS, & Jiha Lee, MD, MHS Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis aging-sensitive care elderly late-onset RA utilization Source Type: research
The Physical Exam Begins with a Handshake
During the height of the pandemic four years ago, I took every precaution to avoid, or at the very least, delay contracting COVID-19. I religiously wore a mask in all public settings, I washed my hands so frequently that my skin became dry and cracked, and I studiously maintained a six-foot distance from others. But... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, RhMSUS Tags: Opinion Rheuminations physical exam Source Type: research
Case Report: Complicated Presentation Eventually Explained by Rare Syndrome
Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP), also known as Touraine-Solente-Golé syndrome or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, is a rare syndrome that can be inherited as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or sporadically. This progressive disease primarily affects males, who tend to have more severe features than females. PDP usually occurs during adolescence, often starting around puberty.1 The main clinical features are... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Geoffrey E. Thiele, MD, & Iris Reyhan, MD Tags: Conditions Other Rheumatic Conditions case report Crohn's disease Pachydermoperiostosis primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy Touraine-Solente- Golé syndrome Source Type: research
A Delicate Balance: How to Avoid Overmedicalization in Rheumatology
Rheumatologist Rachelle Buchbinder, AO, MBBS (Hons), MSc, PhD, discusses reducing overdiagnosis, overtreatment, low-value care and waste in medicine. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 9, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Jason Liebowitz, MD Tags: Ethics Profiles overmedicalization patient care Source Type: research
An Inside Look at the Advocacy Leadership Conference
At this year's Hill Day, attendees will receive in-depth training on Medicare reimbursement and hear from Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-Ind.) about his perspective on the issue as a physician in Congress. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: American College of Rheumatology Legislation & Advocacy Advocacy Leadership Conference Source Type: research
Advocacy Leadership Conference to Support Inflation-Linked Medicare Payment Increases
On May 7, ACR leaders from the Board of Directors, committees and more will to go to Capitol Hill and ask lawmakers to support legislation that would stabilize Medicare reimbursement for physicians. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - April 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: From the College Legislation & Advocacy Advocacy Leadership Conference Source Type: research
