Business of Rheumatology encompasses understanding practice models, ancillary service options, compliance issues, and more

Diagnosing and treating patients, conducting research, and interpreting data to better understand disease processes are all key aspects of rheumatology training. But for many practicing rheumatologists, another important facet of being a healthcare provider is lacking from their formal career preparation.  Business of Rheumatology sessions at ACR Convergence 2022 help to close that gap.

“The programming aims to incorporate understanding the practice management and business side of rheumatology,” said Roneka Ravenell, MD, chair of the Business of Rheumatology Educational Session Planning Committee. “Whether you’re in private practice, employed practice, or even in academia, the world of providing healthcare is constantly changing. We have to understand that when caring for our patients, there are factors outside of our control that may impact our ability to care for them.”

By gaining a better understanding of the business side of healthcare, such as knowing what downstream revenue and ancillary profit mean for an organization or the differences among practice models, rheumatologists better understand the complexity of practice and their value within the business entity.

“Looking for work-life balance and satisfaction in the way that you practice is something that we emphasize as well,” Dr. Ravenell said.

A Sunday, November 13, session will resurface a topic that drew significant interest in a Community Hub discussion during last year’s ACR Convergence. Speakers including physicians and a practice manager will discuss From Concierge Care to Coaching: Innovative Practice Models and Why They Matter at 12 p.m. ET in Room 108 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“There is a recognized need to have more rheumatology providers in clinical practice. Physician burnout continues to have a significant impact within medicine. As we think about avenues to decrease this, many physicians have wanted to practice in a way that may be a little different from traditional models of practice. One way that some physicians are able to find staying power and continue their love for practicing rheumatology is to adopt different models,” Dr. Ravenell said. “We want to educate the rheumatology community about other ways some of our colleagues are practicing.”

Finding Solutions to the Rheumatology Workforce Shortage will discuss the unmet need for rheumatologists that is expected to continue for decades to come and the ACR’s goals and objectives for workforce solutions. The session begins at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, November 12, in Room 113.

A healthcare consultant and a practice manager will discuss another issue that proved popular in Community Hub discussion last year. Panelists in Finding the Right Ancillary Services and Overcoming Implementation Challenges will review types of ancillary services, how to determine the best ones to implement in a practice, and common pitfalls encountered at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 12, in Room 108. This session will complement another session, Infusions 101: Top Tips to Deliver Infusibles, Code, and Bill with Ease, at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 12, in Room 108.

“Many of us are constantly looking to find ways to improve our practice model and procedures and while sustaining independence, in the end, we want to provide the best service and care for our patients. Often that involves incorporating ancillary services where patients can receive comprehensive care in one place,” Dr. Ravenell said.

The session OIG & DOJ Compliance Update ’22: Stark Law, Anti-kickbacks, and More, at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 13, in Room 108, also has practical application for rheumatology clinicians. Presenters will provide an overview of changes to the Stark Law “group practice” definitions that went into effect in 2022 and other compliance considerations.

“It is a one-stop shop for compliance updates,” Dr. Ravenell said.