ACR News and Information


Annual Meeting Registration and Housing Ends October 19: Register Today!

Registration and housing is open for everyone through October 19. After this date, please plan to register onsite in San Francisco. Learn more about the meeting, and register today.


Customize Your Meeting Schedule – Online Itinerary Planner is Now Available!

Use the itinerary planner to explore scientific sessions as well as workshops scheduled to be held at this year’s annual meeting. With the Online Itinerary Planner, you can browse conference sessions by type, speaker, title, date, and time or use the new abstract search feature to search abstracts by topic areas, presenters’ last names, presentation titles and numbers, keywords, or institutions. Additionally, abstracts that report results of a clinical trial not yet supported by a regulatory agency will be searchable by trial phase and type.

You can also click on "My Itinerary" to print your customized meeting schedule or download it directly to your PDA—allowing you to keep your schedule at your fingertips.


New Denial Code: No NPI Means No Payment

Beginning in October, Medicare will deny claims that use any number other than your National Provider Identification number. Claims will be denied with the remittance advice remark code N433 if any legacy numbers—such as a PIN or UPIN—are used on them. The remark code N433 states, “Resubmit this claim using only your National Provider Identifier (NPI).” Once this is corrected, the claim can be resubmitted. However, if there are any other errors on the claim it will be denied again.

To ensure this does not happen to your claims, it is recommended that members of your billing staff verify that all information on the claim is correct before submitting it. If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, contact Melesia Tillman CCP, CPC at (404) 633 – 3777, ext. 820 or at .


New Benefit When You Attend the Annual Meeting: ACR SessionSelect

All 2008 ACR/ARHP scientific registrants will receive complimentary online access to more than 90% of the 2008 educational sessions (ticketed and abstract sessions not included) for one full year! This added bonus will begin two weeks after the meeting and will include two viewing options: webcasts and downloadable vodcasts.


The ACR/AMA Physician Practice Information Survey Is Underway – Rheumatologists Need to Respond!

Have you been selected to participate in the physician practice information survey? If so, we urge you to take this opportunity to complete the confidential survey as it is an important and necessary vehicle for positive change in the field of rheumatology. Read more.


Welcome New Members

Welcome to the newest ACR and ARHP members, and thanks to their sponsors for promoting membership in the ACR and ARHP. 


Funding Opportunities for Rheumatoid Arthritis Researchers

The ACR Research and Education Foundation is now accepting applications for the Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis RA grants. The deadline for submission is December 1, 2008.


Postponement of the 2009 Competitive Acquisition Program

Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services accepted bids for vender contracts for the 2009 thru 2011 CAP. Because of some contractual issues with the bidders CMS has made the decision to postpone the 2009 program. Cap physician election for participation in 2009 will not be held, and CAP drugs will not be available from an approved CAP vendor for dates of service after December 31, 2008.

CMS will soon provide additional instruction for participating CAP physicians on how to transition out of the program. This information will be posted on the CMS CAP physician’s page.

The practice advocacy department will notify our members as soon as more information is available. If you have any further questions or concerns, you can contact Melesia Tillman, CCP, CPC at (404) 633 -3777 ex 820 or via email at .


  Mark Your Calendar

Power Up Your Chart Auditing Program or Get One!
September 24

2008 REF 5K Run/Walk
Last Day to Register October 10

REF Concert
Last Day to Register October 10

ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting Registration and Housing
Open Through October 19

ACR Call for Proposals for 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting
Due November 14

ACR Study Group Applications
Due November 14

ARHP Call for Proposals for 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting
Due November 14

Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Grant Applications
Postmarked by December 1