Community Practice Rheumatology Is Challenging, But Rewarding, Too
Community practice rheumatology may be a less-followed path within the specialty, and it brings with it certain challenges. However, it also offers rewards, such as autonomy and deep relationships with patients. The Rheumatologist recently interviewed three community practice rheumatologists from around the U.S. to find out about their approaches to patient management, staffing and other... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Vanessa Caceres Tags: Billing/Coding Practice Support Technology Workforce Advanced Practice Clinicians community practice prior authorization staffing telemedicine Source Type: research
What Changes May the Next Decade Bring to Rheumatology?
Is it 2024 already? It seems like yesterday that I stuffed all my earthly belongings into my black Volkswagen Jetta and headed from Lexington, Ky., to Iowa City, Iowa, to start my rheumatology fellowship.1 That was 10 years ago. Now, in 2024, as I go online—particularly on social media—and see the various happy, smiling faces... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Bharat Kumar, MD, MME, FACP, RhMSUS Tags: Opinion Rheuminations Advocacy artificial intelligence Source Type: research
Small Fiber Neuropathy for the Rheumatologist
Small fiber neuropathy is a common form of peripheral neuropathy with multiple potential etiologies and a varied clinical presentation. It can’t be detected by nerve conduction studies, making it an elusive and often overlooked entity. Small fiber neuropathy is well documented in several rheumatic diseases, and its symptom burden can profoundly affect quality of life.... (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 10, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michael Cammarata, MD Tags: Conditions Other Rheumatic Conditions Sjögren’s Disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic Sclerosis neuropathy Peripheral Neuropathy small fiber neuropathy Source Type: research
Long-Term Voclosporin Treatment Looks Promising for Lupus Nephritis Patients
AURORA 2, a double-blind, phase 3 study, evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of voclosporin compared to placebo in patients with lupus nephritis receiving an additional two years of treatment following completion of the one-year AURORA 1 study. Patients enrolled in AURORA 2 continued to receive the same treatment randomly assigned in AURORA 1, in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and low-dose glucocorticoids. Saxena et al. propose that the rapid renal response achieved with voclosporin treatment has long-term benefits, supported by stable kidney function over the three-year treatment period. (Sou...
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 9, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Arthritis & Rheumatology Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Lupus nephritis voclosporin Source Type: research
Going Viral: How to Find & Engage Your Audience to Become a Podcast Celebrity
A panel of experts, including ACR on Air Host Jonathan Hausmann, MD, provided tips and insights into creating a podcast and engaging with an audience. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 9, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Natasha Yetman Tags: ACR Convergence Career Meeting Reports ACR Convergence 2023 ACR on Air podcast Source Type: research
Advice for Authors: Editors Provide Tips & Tricks for Getting Your Work Published
Researchers and physician-scientists often need practical advice for getting their work published. Here are insights into how to select an appropriate publication, manage co-author relationships and more from a panel of experts in both rheumatology and publishing. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 9, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Jason Liebowitz, MD Tags: ACR Convergence Career Career Development Meeting Reports ACR Convergence 2023 Journals publishing research publishing Source Type: research
2024 Remote Physiologic Monitoring and Therapeutic Monitoring Coding Guidance
This guidance from the ACR provides information about new remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) treatment management codes (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 9, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Billing/Coding telehealth Source Type: research
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. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 8, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Legislation & Advocacy National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Funding Source Type: research
Got a Private Practice Question? The Community Practice Council Can Help
ACR members in private practice on The Community Practice Council can answer questions, share experiences and offer encouragement to those interested in private practice. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 6, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Joseph Cantrell, JD Tags: Career Development Community Practice Council Private practice Source Type: research
UnitedHealthcare Working to Correct J Code Reimbursement Error
An error in UnitedHealthcare's claims processing system resulted in underpayments on J code claims dated Oct. 8–Nov. 8, 2023. Practices are encouraged to review all J code payments from the final quarter of 2023. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 6, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Billing/Coding insurance J code Source Type: research
Advancing the Work of CORC: Q & A with New Chair Chris Phillips, MD
New Committee on Rheumatologic Care (CORC) Chair Chris Phillips, MD, talks about his past work with the ACR, his experience as a private practice rheumatologist and his plans to lead CORC in addressing practitioner pain points and supporting the business side of rheumatology practice. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Carina Stanton Tags: Practice Support Profiles Committee on Rheumatologic Care (CORC) Source Type: research
Pharmacokinetic Modeling & Efficacy Extrapolation: FDA Takes New Approaches to Drug Approvals
An array of new and expanded indications of therapeutics for rheumatic disease last year relied on pharmacokinetic modeling for intravenous dosing and efficacy extrapolation for pediatric populations. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - January 5, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Thomas R. Collins Tags: ACR Convergence Drug Updates Approvals Biosimilars U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Source Type: research
Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients Treated with TNF Inhibitors
A study found the continuation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment in patients with chronic rheumatic inflammatory diseases after pregnancy diagnosis was not associated with worse outcomes than those who discontinued treatment with TNFi’s. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - December 18, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP Tags: ACR Convergence Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Meeting Reports ACR Convergence 2023 pregnancy pregnant women tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) Source Type: research
Insight into the FDA Approval of Biosimilar to Ustekinumab
In late October, the FDA approved the first biosimilar to ustekinumab to treat patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other conditions. Ustekinumab-auub is expected to be available in the U.S. by 2025. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - December 14, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Michele B. Kaufman, PharmD, BCGP Tags: Biologics/DMARDs Conditions Drug Updates Psoriatic Arthritis FDA approval U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ustekinumab Source Type: research
Updates from AMA House of Delegates 2023 Interim Meeting
Last month, the ACR’s delegation to the AMA House of Delegates discussed and advanced resolutions to address specialty workforce shortages, payment reform and access to care. (Source: The Rheumatologist)
Source: The Rheumatologist - December 12, 2023 Category: Rheumatology Authors: From the College Tags: Legislation & Advocacy AMA House of Delegates (HOD) Source Type: research
