Rheum for Everyone, Episode 6: What Others Hear When You Ask ’Where Are You From’
In this episode, Dr. Kumar discusses brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 14, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, RhMSUS Tags: Opinion Rheuminations Video Rheum for Everyone Source Type: research

Change Healthcare/Optum Cyberattack: Key Updates on Claims Disruptions & Emergency Funding
The Feb. 21 cyberattack on Change Healthcare, the clearinghouse vendor that connects providers with insurance payers, including Medicare, has caused unprecedented challenges and had a critical financial impact on payments to providers nationwide. UnitedHealthcare Group (UHG), the parent company of Change, confirmed on March 8 that it is making significant progress to restore all systems.... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: American College of Rheumatology Insurance Practice Support Change Healthcare cyber security cyberattack Optum UHG Source Type: research

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. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Gretchen Henkel Tags: Legislation & Advocacy Profiles Affiliate Society Council (ASC) Source Type: research

Congressional Action Partially Addresses Medicare Cuts
The newest funding package reduces the latest cut to Medicare reimbursement from 3.4% to 1.68%. Although rheumatologists are faring better under Medicare in 2024, broader reforms remain the ACR’s highest priority regarding Medicare payments to physicians. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Billing/Coding Legislation & Advocacy ACR advocacy Medicare Reimbursement Source Type: research

Updated Coding Guidance for 2024 Remote Physiologic Monitoring & Therapeutic Monitoring
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated recent regulations to clarify some points about remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services for key areas. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Billing/Coding evaluation and management (E/M) telehealth Source Type: research

RheumPAC ’s Role in the ACR’s Advocacy Efforts
In an election year, it is critical that the ACR’s non-partisan political action committee be well positioned to support our congressional champions. Learn more about RheumPAC and its role in the ACR’s advocacy efforts. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Legislation & Advocacy ACR advocacy RheumPAC Source Type: research

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. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Insurance Legislation & Advocacy ACR advocacy ACR Insurance Subcommittee (ISC) Source Type: research

Sharad Lakhanpal, MBBS, MD, Named an APLAR Master
In early December, Sharad Lakhanpal, MBBS, MD, a rheumatologist at Rheumatology Associates in Dallas and past president of the ACR, traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand, for the 2023 Congress of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR). There he was named an APLAR Master. The award is presented to someone not from APLAR,... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Gretchen Henkel Tags: Awards Career APLAR APLAR Asia Pacific Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal Movers & Shakers Source Type: research

When to Check Drug Levels & Why
Checking blood levels of commonly used disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has gained widespread attention in the rheumatology community, even resulting in a recent guidance document from EULAR for biologics.1 Although a highly useful tool, drug level measurement in rheumatology is not without challenges; many of our drugs violate the basic principles of pharmacology that we... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Stephen J. Balevic, MD, PhD, RhMSUS Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Rheumatoid Arthritis Systemic Lupus Erythematosus adalimumab adherence azathioprine dosage dosage adjustment drug levels etanercept HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE infliximab mycophenoloate SLE Res Source Type: research

ACR Image Competition 2023 Results, Part 4
For the 2023 Image Competition, the ACR sought images representing a diverse range of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) or IIM mimics. Unilateral Heliotrope Rash in Anti-MDA-5 Antibody Dermatomyositis These images depict a 36-year-old patient with arthralgias, dyspnea and a unilateral heliotrope rash (image A). A unilateral heliotrope rash is a distinctive, but rare,... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 7, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Doron Rimar, MD Tags: Conditions Myositis anti-MDA-5 antibody dermatomyositis image case report Image Competition rash Source Type: research

‘Where Are You From?’ & Other Microaggressions
“I’m actually from Iowa. Where do you hail from?” I replied, in the friendliest tone I could muster. Many readers may already know the context, but I’ll rewind a few moments to clear up any ambiguity. I was in clinic and talking with a kind lady with joint pain. While I was in the middle... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 6, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, RhMSUS Tags: Opinion Patient Perspective Rheuminations microagression Source Type: research

The SMILE Online Lupus Tool Can Aid Shared Decision Making
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often face many concerns, fears and uncertainties that render “treatment decision making very difficult,” says Jasvinder Singh, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Often these patients, who tend to be women from minority groups, “do not have access to easily understandable... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 6, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Katie Robinson Tags: Conditions Systemic Lupus Erythematosus health literacy shared decision making SLE Resource Center Source Type: research

Reflecting on B Cell-Depleting Therapies & COVID-19
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, confusion and concern for immunosuppressed patients grew among rheumatologists and patients alike. Research has helped bridge the knowledge gap, and treatment options for COVID-19 have helped ease concerns. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 6, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Vanessa Caceres Tags: Conditions Drug Updates COVID-19 Source Type: research

In Memoriam … Debashish Danda, MBBS, MD, DM, FRCP (1958–2024)
Dedicated to advancing rheumatology education worldwide On Feb. 2, 2024, distinguished professor of medicine and rheumatology Debashish Danda, MBBS, MD, DM, FRCP, was lost to the world following a tragic motor vehicle accident. Dr. Danda was highly respected both in his home country of India and on the international stage for his contributions to advancing... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH, & Evelyn Hsieh, MD, PhD Tags: Opinion Profiles obituary Source Type: research

The Roles of the Interdisciplinary Rheumatology Team in Patient Care Highlighted
To work together effectively, clinicians and rheumatology professionals need to understand the roles of every member of the interdisciplinary team. To enhance this understanding, the ARP Practice Committee undertook a project to describe the modern roles of the members of the interdisciplinary team in a series of fact sheets. The first three are available now,... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - March 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Kimberly Steinbarger, PT, MHS, DHSc, & Keri Losavio Tags: American College of Rheumatology Interprofessional Perspective Practice Management Practice Support Professional Topics Workforce fact sheets Source Type: research