2005 Physician Fee Schedule and CPT Codes Hold Increases
for Rheumatology
On November 4 and 5, the ACR communicated with its
members regarding the positive impact these changes
will have on rheumatology in the coming year. Read
the fax. Click
here for an initial summary of the fee schedule
provisions of most concern to rheumatology, or here to
read the ACR's government affairs staff comments.
New ACR Products Now Available at Great Prices!
The new ACR Slide Collection and ACR Core Curriculum,
Collection Two, are now available for purchase.
Members pay only $100
for the slide collection, and the $75 for the curriculum.
However, if you purchase either by Jan. 1, 2005, you
will receive an additional $10 off! Learn
More.
Methotrexate Availability Reduced Through 12/04
The major producer for the methotrexate injectable,
American Pharmaceutical Partners Inc is currently on
backorder for production of methotrexate 50 and
200mg, 25mg/ml injectable vials with preservative.
Learn More.
Renew Early!
For fast, convenient and easy membership renewal,
the ACR now enables members to pay dues
online and review/update membership information online.
Act now to ensure you continue receiving great member
benefits!
ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting Wrap Up
Learn more about the meeting.
Coding Alert: 2005
ICD-9 Chart Now Available
The ACR has updated the ICD-9 chart for 2005 and
it can be viewed online in the ACR practice tools
section by clicking onto the documentation and
coding tools link in the menu. We have marked the
codes in italics that have been added since the
original publication of this chart in 1999 to help
you identify the key changes. Learn
More. The new
chart includes the new code for the “Elevated C-reactive
protein (CRP)” 790.95.
This code will be effective Oct. 1, 2004.
Demonstration Project Still Accepting Applications
The Medicare and Medicare Modernization Act of 2003
mandated the creation of a two-year demonstration project
for coverage of self-injectable biological therapies
if the drugs have alternatives already covered by Medicare.
Learn More.
ACR Comments on USP's Draft Drug Benefit
Guidelines
The ACR sent official comments to CMS's contractor,
US Pharmacoepial Convention, Inc. (USP) regarding
the “Draft Model Guidelines for Drug Categories and
Classes in Part D” on September 17. Learn
More.
The ACR and REF Remember Oscar S. Gluck
Read
a tribute to this member and volunteer.
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