February 2024

President's Message 

Dear PRS Members, Supporters, and Sponsors,

Even though the winter months are synonymous with dormancy, PRS is abuzz with an active and energetic start to 2024!

Advocacy efforts are being renewed and growing under the leadership of Dr. Al Denio who is the current Chair of PRS’ Advocacy Committee. We are acutely aware of the barriers that continue to face Rheumatology providers and patients in the state and will be focusing our efforts on advocating for issues that matter most. We want our members to stay informed, speak up and participate. We are asking our members to pay attention to “Advocacy Bytes” below and sign up for PaLegis notifications to stay up to date with the most current advocacy developments in the State.

The PRS 11^th Annual Scientific Meeting will be back by popular demand at the historic Hershey Lodge from September 27-29 2024. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone at another family friendly Opening Gathering at the Lodge where kids will get to enjoy many chocolate themed fun activities this year. We are thrilled to receive support for yet another set of “Friends and Fellows Friday” sessions on the 27th. This will be followed by a new Fellows Field Trip to a local brewery for a tour, sampling, networking - and of course, Rheumatology education!

PRS is focusing on expanding collaborative efforts with like-minded State Societies. This will allow us to come together at a larger scale and expand educational exchanges for fellows and Rheumatology providers, boost engagement and support advocacy efforts. Stay tuned for more!

Warm Winter Wishes,

Tanmayee Bichile, MD

Congratulations to Dr. Galappaththy, winner of PRS's 2023 Thieves' Market Competition!

Her presentation, "Why So Low?," focused on determining the causes of pancytopenia in an elderly patient, and its treatment and prognosis.

Dr. Galappaththy is a fellow at UPMC, Pittsburgh. She completed her MD at the University of Colombo Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and residency at University of Missouri, Kansas City. Dr. Galappaththy's interests include rheumatologic care of the obese, public health initiatives, quality improvement and empowering the roles of women in medicine.

Access the winning presentation here: "Why So Low?"

Advocacy

New Medicare add-on code G2211 for complexity of care services– 50% of your patients could benefit! 

Reimbursements began January 1, 2024.

Learn how to apply the code 

Insurance company accumulator policies may be blocking your patients’ access to needed medications. Help your patients sustain their prescribed treatments.

Learn how proposed legislation will address this

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) operate without oversight. They profit - often at the expense of our patients.

Get the facts, and legislation for PNM accountability

Prior Authorization legislation - now law, and championed by PRS - seeks to simplify burdensome administrative processes.



This chart demonstrates how Prior Authorization works in Pennsylvania and in other states.

Be in the know: sign up for latest updates on PA legislation here

Be in the know: sign up for the latest updates in the PA legislature here !

The PRS 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting returns to Hershey!

We're keeping the best of what's new to the meeting: a full day of non-branded education on Friday, the fabulous all-age opening event, invitation-only Corporate Sponsor Cocktail Hour. We're adding an special event for fellows in training- the Fellows Field Trip, to nearby Troegs Brewery!

Save the Date ....and we'll see you in Hershey in September!

NPs and PAs play an important role in Rheumatology patient care. Recognizing this, PRS will again this year make funding available to member NP/PAs to complete ACR's training modules.

Funding is available to sponsored member applicants, on a reimbursement basis as modules are completed. Applications remain open through September 1, 2024 to encourage completion of any of the modules by the end of the calendar year.

Full information and application form here: ACR Module funding

Did you know? Posting your open position on the PRS Job Board reaches more than 400 professionals in Pennsylvania... and it is free! Send job descriptions and open opportunities in your practice or institution to: prs@parheumatology.org

News and Information from our Corporate Partners

Jannsen Immunology

Johnson & Johnson’s position on the Inflation Reduction Act as a broad piece of US legislation that includes provisions relating to health care, clean energy, and taxes. 

Learn more: Inflation Reduction Act and Health Care

Aurinia Pharmaceueticals

Unbranded Podcast: Proteinuria in Lupus: A Biomarker of Activity & an Accelerant of Damage, is now LIVE on ReachMD! Rheumatologist, Maria Dall’era MD & Nephrologist, Tina Kochar MD share their insights from real-world practice on the toxicity of proteinuria in patients with SLE.

Thank you to our 2023-2024 Corporate Partners!