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Empowering Independent Rheumatology Practices Across the Country
Welcome to American Rheumatology Network
American Rheumatology Network (“ARN”) is a physician led and owned organization committed to improving healthcare by empowering independent rheumatology practices across the nation. Through our network physicians and practice administrators have access to best business practices, innovative practice performance technology, and value-based treatment pathways.
Relationship Opportunities
We offer three models through which a rheumatology practice can become part of the American Rheumatology Network (ARN) or Articularis Healthcare Group, Inc. (AHG). Practices can choose the model that best meets their needs and goals:
ARN Member
As an ARN Member, physicians maintain their independence and gain access to clinical and business platforms, in addition to best-in-class group purchasing contracts.
AHG Affiliate
In the Comprehensive Strategic Affiliate (CSA) model, practices enter into agreements to foster success of the entire practice. Physicians maintain their independence, gain access to clinical and business platforms, best-in-class group purchasing contracts, and administrative support.
AHG Member
As an AHG Member, practices enter into agreements to foster success of the entire practice under the same tax identification number (TIN) as other AHG locations. Physicians maintain their independence, gain access to clinical and business platforms, best-in-class group purchasing contracts, and administrative support.
All Of Our Models Provide Benefits For Physician Partners
Autonomy
Physicians retain control over how they practice.
Innovation
Access to practice performance technology in clinical and administrative settings.
Alignment
Align patient care and practice health with clinical and business improvements.
Community
Access to a community of physicians dedicated to a common purpose.
Members: Get your FREE annual membership with American Medical Association & UptoDate!
Contact Caitlyn Bednarek, ARN Communications Officer at cbednarek@arngpo.com to confirm your membership
NOTE: Must include full legal name, birth date and practice location
The American Rheumatology Network & Trio Health Announce the Presentation of Seven Abstract at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting (Convergence)
Experience with Apremilast in Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis in US Clinical Practice; Assessments from Trio Health and the American Rheumatology Network (ARN)
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 0365 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Colin Edgerton1, Andrew Frick2, Simon Helfgott3, Kent Kwas Huston4, Jasvinder Singh5 and Nehad Soloman6, 1Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC, 2Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 3BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 4Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 5University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 6Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ
Background/Purpose: Apremilast is the one targeted immune modulating (TIM) treatment for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) that may be combined with csDMARDs, biologic therapies, or used as a monotherapy. Here we describe the utilization of and experience with apremilast in a large network of community rheumatologists.
The “Why” of Drug Discontinuation; Clinical Review of EMR Notes for 2,545 Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 0601 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Kent Kwas Huston1, Simon Helfgott2, Scott Milligan3, Jasvinder Singh4, Nehad Soloman5, Brandon Weil3 and Colin Edgerton6, 1Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 2BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 3Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 4University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 5Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ, 6Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC
Background/Purpose: Persistence on therapy is an important consideration in rheumatic diseases. There are multiple treatment options that influence long term disease management and a better understanding of the causes for medication discontinuation are needed. Possible reasons for discontinuation may be inferred from fielded data, when present, in EMR, claims, or specialty pharmacy records; however, actual reasons may be different. We reviewed open text notes within the EMR to understand why drugs were discontinued for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Change in Utilization of Outpatient Services at US Community Rheumatology Practices During COVID-19 Outbreak
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 0610 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Kent Kwas Huston1, Nehad Soloman2, Janna Radtchenko3, Simon Helfgott4, Jasvinder Singh5 and Colin Edgerton6, 1Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 2Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ, 3Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 4BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 5University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 6Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC
Background/Purpose: Patients (pts) with autoimmune diseases managed by rheumatologists represent vulnerable population with risk of serious complications if exposed to novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2. The first case of COVID-19, disease caused by SARS-CoV2, was diagnosed in the US on January 20, 2020. By the beginning of April, 42 states implemented stay-at-home advisories limiting non-essential activity including non-emergency healthcare services leading to the majority of routine healthcare visits being conducted via telehealth method using audio and/or video technology. In May states began lifting stay-at-home orders and gradually renewing economic activity. We evaluated impact of these policies on volume and type of care provided by US community rheumatology practices.
Real-World Utilization of Infliximab (IFX) and Its Biosimilars in Patients (Pts) with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Since the First Biosimilar Approval in the US
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 0812 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Simon Helfgott1, Janna Radtchenko2, Nehad Soloman3, Kent Kwas Huston4, Jasvinder Singh5 and Colin Edgerton6, 1BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 2Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 3Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ, 4Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 5University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 6Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC
Background/Purpose: Biologics have revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune diseases, though costs and payer restrictions have limited who are treated and when these agents are used. Potentially lower cost biosimilars have been developed and FDA-approved, although only 2 TNF inhibitors have been made available to pts. Here, we describe utilization and characteristics of pts receiving IFX and its biosimilars in US community rheumatology practices.
Increasing Use of Biologics in Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients in US Clinical Practice: Real-World Observations from Trio Health and the American Rheumatology Network
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 0887 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Simon Helfgott1, Jeremy Broestl2, Kent Kwas Huston3, Deepali Rane2, Jasvinder Singh4, Nehad Soloman5 and Colin Edgerton6, 1BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 2Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 3Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 4University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 5Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ, 6Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC
Background/Purpose: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treatments include steroids, antimalarials, immunosuppressants and/or biologics, though the use of biologics has been reported as minimal in claim-based studies examining real-world treatment patterns between 2006 to 2016. Here, we examine choice of treatments in the last three years within community rheumatology practices to understand current use of biologics. In addition, we examine persistence to belimumab, the most commonly used biologic for SLE, and association with different treatment and patient characteristics.
Management of Gout After Pegloticase; Observations of US Clinical Practice from Trio Health and the American Rheumatology Network (ARN)
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 1628 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Nehad Soloman1, Mona Amin2, Simon Helfgott3, Alexander Hu4, Kent Kwas Huston5, Jordan Leonard6, Kelsey Milligan7, Scott Milligan7, Jasvinder Singh8, John Tesser9 and Colin Edgerton10, 1Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ, 2Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Scottsdale, AZ, 3BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 4Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., New Orleans, LA, 5Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 6Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Phoenix, AZ, 7Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 8University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 9Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, Phoenix, AZ, 10Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC
Background/Purpose: Pegloticase is approved for severe gout in patients that are intolerant to, or whose disease is ineffectively controlled by, other uric acid lowering therapies (ULTs). The positioning of pegloticase as the last therapeutic option begs the question, how is gout managed once pegloticase is discontinued? Here we examine treatment following pegloticase for patients in US clinical care.
Management of Gout with Pegloticase; Real-World Utilization and Outcomes from Trio Health and the American Rheumatology Network (ARN)
ABSTRACT NUMBER: 1629 ∙ ACR Convergence 2020
Nehad Soloman1, Mona Amin2, Kimmi Cox3, Simon Helfgott4, Alexander Hu5, Kent Kwas Huston6, Jordan Leonard7, Scott Milligan3, Jasvinder Singh8, John Tesser9 and Colin Edgerton10, 1Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Peoria, AZ, 2Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Scottsdale, AZ, 3Trio Health, Louisville, CO, 4BWH- HMS, Boston, MA, 5Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., New Orleans, LA, 6Kansas City Physician Partners, Kansas City, MO, 7Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, P.C., Phoenix, AZ, 8University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 9Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates, Phoenix, AZ, 10Articularis Healthcare, Summerville, SC
Background/Purpose: Infusion reactions and other adverse events associated with pegloticase may lead to discontinuation of treatment in patient populations that have already failed or are intolerant to other uric acid lowering therapies (ULTs). Maximizing the benefit of pegloticase is critical in the absence of other suitable ULTs. Here, we examine use of pegloticase for patients in US clinical care and identify variables associated with longer time on therapy.
Provider members report spending less time negotiating supplier contracts since joining ARN.
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Learn more about our commitment to empowering better rheumatology care through an integrated and supportive network that helps local practices maintain their independence and flourish.
