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Rheumatology Association of Iowa

1st Annual Meeting

March 6 – 7, 2015

The Hotel at Kirkwood Center

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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Greetings to all Iowa Rheumatology Providers,

For some time we have been working toward the formation of an association of rheumatologists and other rheumatology providers here in Iowa. We have been assisted by WJ Weiser & Associates, a Chicago-based company that manages rheumatology advocacy groups in multiple states around the country. With their help we

have reached a point of development that allows me to announce the First Annual Meeting of the Rheumatology Association of Iowa, which will be held March 6 – 7, 2015, at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids.

The need for a unified voice in rheumatology is becoming increasingly clear. Just recently our clinic has found it necessary to communicate with Blue Cross Blue Shield on their planned rejection of coverage for ultrasound-guided biopsies of larger joints starting next year. Fortunately, they have been open to our concerns and have reversed their plans, at least for the time being. I think it is clear, however, that such issues will only increase, and our ability to work together for the better advocacy of our practices and our patients is especially important at this point. If we can come together and make unified recommendations as to what we feel are medically appropriate uses of our medications and other medical resources, we will have a much better chance of being heard than if we speak individually. I look forward to this organization becoming a very important instrument in helping us continue our advocacy state-wide for what is best for rheumatological care here in Iowa.

The purpose of our March meeting is twofold:

1) To formally recognize and inaugurate our existence as an organization.

2) To review together some of the current issues facing us and come to some consensus about how we want to proceed as an advocacy group.

What follows is our scheduled itinerary:

Friday night we will have a guest speaker, Dr. Madelaine Feldman, President of the Rheumatology Alliance of Louisiana. Dr. Feldman will be speaking about her experience in forming an advocacy group and its success in dealing with issues in Louisiana. She has also been active in communicating with other state-wide advocacy groups and plans to report on the efficacy of such groups across the country, with special emphasis on the legislative and insurance-related challenges being faced.

This will be followed by an inaugural meeting of the Rheumatology Association of Iowa to formalize our association and seek input and involvement from as many of you as would like to be a part of the process. This is an especially important time within the rheumatology community in terms of our interaction with various organizations across the state. You are all aware of the plans within the last few years to discontinue Medicare coverage for some of our IV biologic agents and ongoing changes in the preferred formulary of various insurance companies, which have required a

significant increase in work by our staff members and by us as individuals to obtain necessary medications for our patients. Bio-similar medications are on the horizon and will have a significant impact on the economics of our therapy, but they will require our input about their proper place in treatment and especially for replacement of other ongoing therapies. We dare not leave these decisions solely to the discretion of the insurance companies.

On Saturday we will have a clinical meeting in which several speakers will address varied topics including the legal issues of the changing health care situation, updates from the Arthritis Foundation and the Iowa Medical Society, changes involving ultrasound coverage and bio-similars, a federal healthcare update and an update on ICD 10 coding, as well as other significant clinical issues.

I think you will agree that for an initial meeting of our group this is an ambitious and encouraging start. I hope to see as many of you there as possible, and I would particularly encourage not only physicians, but also physician assistants and ARNPs, fellows and all other health care personnel involved with rheumatological care across the state to attend. In order to make this easier, we have elected not to charge any fee for the meeting itself and will endeavor to keep any cost involved with membership in the organization to a minimum.

Please consider joining us on March 6 – 7, 2015, for what I envision to be a very interesting and productive meeting.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Brooks, MD, FACP, FACRPresident, Rheumatology Association of Iowa

President’s Message

2015 Founding Board of Directors

PresidentMichael S. Brooks, MD, FACP, FACR

Co-FoundersSteven Eyanson, MD, FACP, FACR

David B. Staub, MD

2015 Program CommitteeMichael S. Brooks, MD, FACP, FACR

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1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Legislative and Advocacy Panel Moderator: Amanda Chesley, JD

WJ Weiser & Associates

Iowa State Legislative Update Dennis Tibben Iowa Medical Society Provider & Patient CollaborationMichele GuadalupeVice President of Advocacy, Arthritis Foundation

Advocacy & Medical Access Issues Deborah L. Bandy Turner, CPA, CMR Johnson & Johnson

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Break

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ICD – 10 Coding Rheumatology Focus Update Cynthia Swanson, RN, CPC, CEMC, CHC Seim Johnson

Disclaimer StatementStatements, opinions and results of studies contained in the program are those of the presenters/authors and do not reflect the policy or position of the RAI nor does the RAI provide any warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.

Accreditation

Rheumatology Association of IowaRAI First Annual Meeting | March 6 – 7, 2015

The Hotel at Kirkwood Center | Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Program Schedule

Please check online at http://tiny.cc/rai-cme for gaps, needs and objectives, as well as accreditation updates.

Welcome ReceptionAttire: CasualRAI welcomes its attendees to the 2015 First Annual Meeting. Attendees can connect with fellow rheumatologists and mingle with exhibitors while enjoying appetizers and drinks.

Formational Founding Board DinnerAttire: CasualThe RAI inaugural meeting/dinner to formalize and seek input and involvement from the Iowa Rheumatology community. Featuring guest speaker, Dr. Madelaine Feldman, President of the Rheumatology Alliance of Louisiana. Open to all who would like to have their voices heard and become part of this newly formed organization.

Friday Evening Functions

All sessions will be located in Classroom 185 unless otherwise notedSpeakers and times are subject to change.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration/Information Desk Open Location: Hotel Lobby

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open Location: Student Common Area

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Welcome Reception with Exhibitors Location: Student Common Area

5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Formational Founding Board Dinner Location: Hotel Conference 166 Guest speaker: Madelaine Feldman, MD President, Rheumatology Alliance of Louisiana

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration/Information Desk Open Location: Hotel Lobby

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open Location: Student Common Area

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Industry-Sponsored Breakfast Symposium

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. WelcomeMichael Brooks, MD, FACP, FACRPhysicians Clinic of Iowa PC

9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Evolution of Health Care Delivery Lawrence E. Singer, PC Loyola University Chicago School of Law

10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – Clinical Update for Rheumatologists Eugene Kissin, MD Boston University

11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Networking Session in Exhibit Hall Location: Student Common Area

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 1st Annual Business/Formation Meeting

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Industry Sponsored Lunch Symposium

All sessions will be located in Classroom 185 unless otherwise notedSpeakers and times are subject to change.

Please select the category that best describes your status:

q Fellowq Full Time Administratorq Non Physician Providerq Other

How did you learn about this conference? (Check all that apply)

q Calendar/Monthly Listing q Email q Registration Brochure Mailer

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MEETING REGISTRATIONRegistration Categories Regular Total Fees Cost

q Physician Complimentary =$

q Non Physician Provider (e.g. RN, NP, Practice Manager) Complimentary =$

q Student Expected graduation year ______________________ Complimentary =$

q Fellow Expected graduation year ______________________ Complimentary =$

q Resident Expected graduation year ______________________ Complimentary =$

RAI 1st Annual Meeting Registration FormMarch 6 – 7, 2015

q Other Medical Professionalq Physicianq Researcher

q Residentq Rheumatologistq Student/Trainee

Registration Includes:• Entrance to all sessions• Program Materials• Welcome Reception• Board Dinner• Breakfast• Lunch• Breaks

Special NeedsFor accommodations on the basis of disability or special dietary needs, please call (847) 517-7225.

Registration Information

QuestionsContact the RAI Executive Office by:Phone: (847) 517-7225Fax: (847) 517-7229Email: rai@wjweiser.com

Pre-Registrants RAI pre-registrants will receive a complete registration packet on-site at the registration/information desk located off the hotel lobby. The packet will include badges, social tickets and general meeting information.

PHONE REGISTRATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED. Acceptable registration methods include:• By Fax: (847) 517-7229• By Mail: RAI, Two Woodfield Lake, 1100 E Woodfield Road, Suite 350, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Rheumatology Association of IowaAttn: Registration

Two Woodfield Lake1100 E Woodfield Road, Suite 350

Schaumburg, IL 60173-5116Phone: (847) 517-7225 | Fax: (847) 517-7229

Email: rai@wjweiser.com

The Hotel at Kirkwood Center7725 Kirkwood Blvd. S.W.Cedar Rapids, IA 52404Main: (319) 848-8700

Website: thehotelatkirkwood.com

Room Rate: $129.00Hotel Deadline: February 11, 2015

Reservations: (877) 751-5111

Two Woodfield Lake1100 E Woodfield Road, Suite 350Schaumburg, IL 60173-5116

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Rheumatology Association of IowaRAI First Annual MeetingMarch 6 – 7, 2015The Hotel at Kirkwood CenterCedar Rapids, Iowa

Inside:Registration InformationProgram ScheduleSpecial Events President’s Message

Rheumatology Association of Iowa1ST ANNUAL MEETING

Registration Materials Inside!