College of Rheumatology guidelines, there is frustration that we do not have better medications for the treatment of pain associated with OA. Topical agents are poorly covered by Medicare, whereas compounded creams are not covered at all; thus, patients must resort to paying high out-of-pocket costs for these medications. Read More ›

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released an official position statement on biosimilars, on the heels of the first biosimilar approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio, Sandoz) was approved on March 6, 2015. Read More ›

European physicians across 12 countries now have access to a more cost-effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other inflammatory conditions, with the approval of the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody for infliximab, CT-P13 (Remsima, Celltrion; Inflectra, Hospira), by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Read More ›

New findings suggest that severity, mortality, and treatment response among persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be predicted based on genetic haplotype. Read More ›

The National Organization of Rheumatology Managers (NORM) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In 2005, the rheumatologists who had created the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organization held a meeting that included almost 50 physicians and practice managers. Read More ›

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law on April 16, making history not just by repealing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for Medicare physician payment, but for the resounding bipartisan support of the legislation after decades of partisan posturing in the US House of Representatives and Senate. Read More ›

Criteria for Stage 3 of Meaningful Use was announced and published at the end of March, detailing benchmarks that eligible providers and hospitals will have to meet to qualify for certain incentive payments and avoid reimbursement penalties. Read More ›

Members of the medical profession sacrifice their time and energy without reservation for the care of patients. All too often, however, it is done to the detriment of themselves and their families—especially in the areas of personal financial planning. Many physicians opine the cost of the various insurance policies we purchase, whether life insurance, homeowners insurance, or disability insurance. Read More ›

If you are unable to work due to a sickness or injury, disability insurance can help you meet your expenses and maintain your standard of living. One of the options available when purchasing an individual disability insurance policy is the cost of living adjustment (COLA) rider. Read More ›