NP/PA Coverage

DPC - direct primary care offices run by nurse practitioners - states that allow independent NP practices have NPs opening DPC offices, that operate under a membership model, with pts paying for access to the office services, tests, and imaging. Over 2,300 DPC offices currently

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Comorbidity and Health Management: Tuesday Night Rheumatology Join panelists Vanessa Hill, NP-C, Lindsay Tom, PA-C, Barb Slusher, MSW, PA-C and Jack Cush, MD as they discuss comorbidity and health management in rheumatic disease. https://t.co/3KMgBW1Q4W https://t.co/4dVfKd7uy5

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Lupus Guidelines 2025 Monica Richey, ANP, New York, reviews the 2025 ACR lupus guidelines as part of RheumNow's "Mission: APP Partners in Care" campaign during the month of December. https://t.co/D1LE1H4zyi https://t.co/myPnT3ibKd

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APP Pearls “It’s okay not to “fix” the complaint right away. Validate the patient, then watch and wait when appropriate. The urge to intervene quickly without confidence can be dangerous. See the patient back, keep listening, & continue good history-taking” - Jeannette Hart PA-C

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couple holding hands with baby shoes

Assess Reproductive Health in SLE Clinic Visits

Jun Chu , MSN, CRNP

Due to the complexity of SLE, rheumatology providers should take an active role in assessing reproductive health, providing education on how SLE may affect pregnancy, and taking a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach with the patient’s gynecologist.

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APP Pearls “It’s important to explain the difference between an overreactive immune system vs. a weakened immune system” - Miguel Rodriguez, ANP

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APP Pearls “Ensure a patient understands the weekly dosing instructions for methotrexate” - Ben Smith, DMSc, PA-C

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APP Pearls “When I’m explaining treatment options, I say “hey you are the captain of this ship, I’m your co-captain. I help to guide you along this journey… (I can help you) avoid that Hurricane.” - April Woodrow, APRN, ANP-BC

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APP Pearls “Steroids are not a long-term plan; AND One visit cannot fix everything” - Claudia Rivera-Salas, NP

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hospital,surgery

Best of 2025: Variability of Guidelines on the Perioperative Use of DMARDs in Rheumatic Diseases Patients

Jack Cush, MD

More effective treatments in patients with rheumatic diseases have resulted in less need for major surgery, yet a substantial number of RMD patients will undergo surgery often in the setting of DMARDs use. A scoping review looked at numerous clinical practice guidelines/recommendations for the

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APP Pearls “Get to know your patients and any barriers they have that may impact their healthcare” - Natalie Lane, FNP-C

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APP Pearls “When seeing a new patient, never assume that their preconceived or prior diagnosis is the only rheumatology condition that they have” - Lindsay Tom, PA-C

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APP Pearls “Point out to every patient with gout that poorly controlled gout will increase their risk of CV events and mortality” - Emma Bavage, NP

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Algorithm for the treatment of calcinosis #calcinosis #ACR24 https://t.co/NZhP7Enzrp https://t.co/I0HLtYjzgb

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Intro to ILD (Part I): the essentials 🫁 Definition & basics 🔬 Key pathology patterns 🧑⚕️ Clinical approach 📋 What rheums need to know ⬇️ Download & learn more: https://t.co/Fn76PiGsPl Created by @MithuRheum | via @RheumNow for our Rheum to Breathe: ILD Campaign https://t.co/JpyE3T7Atj

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APP Pearls “Do not order a test if you do not know how to interpret the results whether normal or abnormal” - Madison Chastain, CRNP

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APP Pearls “Never stop learning—rheumatology is full of surprises” - Kayla Carlucci, FNP-BC

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Three Things to Know About Hiring, Onboarding, and Training APPs As the utilization of APPs (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in rheumatology becomes more prevalent, here are three things to consider if you are thinking about adding an APP to your practice: Read https://t.co/24RVd09vcK
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APP Controversies and Misconceptions In this Tuesday Night Rheumatology, panelists discuss a range of topics, including APP roles and impact; models of care; independence; seeing new patients and complex cases; and more. Panelists: Daric A. Mueller, PA-C; Lisa Carnago, PhD, https://t.co/t2PssfUNoV
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APP Pearls “You must assess sleep and mood- without this, even if you control all inflammation, you will not control pain and fatigue!” - Christine Stamatos, NP, DNP, RN

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Tricks of the Trade – Clinic Advice from APPs December 2025 is focused on advanced practice providers, their impact, education and priorities. In seeking and soliciting the help and advice of leaders in the rheumatology APP world, I have been impressed by APP pride, dedication https://t.co/boyjytkUyq
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Hidden in Plain Sight: IBD As a PA with six years of experience in rheumatology and a background in gastroenterology, today I'm discussing the clinical overlap between inflammatory arthritis—particularly psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathies—and inflammatory bowel https://t.co/Aatc4jkbpH
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Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) https://t.co/xERp8kev1T https://t.co/e3psPC7HIl

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NPs and PAs: Opportunities Outside of the Exam Room Ben Smith, PA-C, Thomasville, GA, discusses scholarly and leadership opportunities for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as part of RheumNow's "Mission: APP Partners in Care" campaign during the month of December. https://t.co/Vzx6B1z2xJ
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Evaluation of Rheumatic Complaints https://t.co/cdizOgFqYf https://t.co/YHLAllxpO4

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Recent Blogs

Advanced Practice Rheum

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)

Jack Cush, MD
ANA APR Cover image
Dr. Jack Cush reviews autoantibody testing in rheumatology. Read Post
Advanced Practice Rheum

Evaluation of Rheumatic Complaints

Jack Cush, MD
Evaluation of MSK cover
Dr. Cush provides a systematic approach to evaluating musculoskeletal and rheumatic complaints in clinical practice. Read Post
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