The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) released a new white paper and position statement regarding the significance of rheumatologic care, according to a report from The Rheumatologist. The ACR emphasized that rheumatologists are capable of improving patients’ quality of life, reducing health-care costs, and optimizing patient outcomes. In the new white paper, a taskforce comprised of ACR members addressed the clinical and economic value of rheumatology. The taskforce discovered that aggressive treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis may reduce major adverse cardiac events and health-care costs; rheumatologic care for patients with gout may decrease emergency room visits; and the preventive value of rheumatologic treatment per patient each year was estimated to be nearly $3,000. The ACR emphasized that the new statements were published partially because rheumatology employers avoided updating their Relative Value Unit reimbursement in 2020—in spite of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) adjusted billing rates—potentially leaving rheumatology departments at risk of budget deficits. Although the rheumatology workforce is currently in decline, the ACR hopes the new statements can bolster financial support, resources, advocacy efforts, and academic interest in the field.
September 07, 2023