Two networks join Medicare cost-lowering
The Arkansas Health Network, owned by the St. Vincent Health System, and Arkansas Accountable Care LLC, formed by the Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas, will join hundreds of "accountable-care" organizations participating in a program where they will be able to earn rewards for lowering the cost of providing…
SGR Fee Schedule Rule Announced
SGR cuts of 24% for 2014 were announced by CMS on Wednesday, November 27th. Because of the lateness of this announcement, physicians will have until the end of January 2014 to change their Medicare participation status, if so desired. Congress must repeal the SGR, or put another temporary…
Patient-Centered Medical Home Town Hall Meetings
A message from Medicaid Managed Care Services (A division of Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care): Arkansas Medicaid’s Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program was officially launched on October 1st. PCMH seeks to transition primary care in Arkansas to a more comprehensive, coordinated patient-centered practice model. They are writing now…
Arkansas Physicians Receive EHR Incentive Payments
CMS recently released monetary figures reflecting incentive payments paid to Arkansas physicians who have achieved meaningful use. These physicians adopted, implemented, or upgraded to a certified EHR through new technology. The figures include payments made since 2011. Payments for meaningful use from Medicaid to 933 physicians was $16,719,507. …
PCP Supplemental Payment
It is not too late to attest for the PCP Supplemental Payment with Arkansas Medicaid. Arkansas Medicaid is participating in a federal program that allows for supplemental Medicaid payments to certain physician specialties for primary care services for calendar years 2013 and 2014. To qualify for the payment,…
Welcome Congress back to the capital: Tell them to fix Medicare now.
Congress is back in session following the summer recess. Tell your lawmakers that now is the time to transform Medicare into an effective, 21st-century model of care. The AMA’s Fix Medicare Now website, launched earlier this month, lets physicians, medical students and patients lend their voices to the…
Allergist Added to List of Eligible Providers for Medicaid Enhanced Payments
Due to national advocacy, CMS has clarified that allergists can attest to board certification and receive enhanced payments for a number of E&M codes as well as immunizations under the Medicaid enhanced payment program. The Arkansas Medical Society asked for DHS to review the list of eligible physicians…
Medicaid Primary Care Payment Error
Physicians who have attested to participate in the "enhanced" Medicaid primary care payment project may have received a lessor amount than was expected due to an error in processing. The ACA contained a provision requiring state Medicaid programs to increase payments to primary care physicians for primary care…
Committee passes SGR repeal bill on Medicare’s 48th anniversary
Draft legislation to repeal Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is moving forward in the U.S. House of Representatives following unanimous approval in committee markup Wednesday. The AMA is urging continued work to ensure the legislation will build a more sustainable health care system. The House Energy and…
House committee moves forward with plan to overhaul SGR
Article from the AMA Morning Rounds, 5/29/2013 A handful of beltway publications carry stories Wednesday on a new bill, out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which would permanently overhaul the oft-derided Medicare physician payment formula, known as the Sustainable Growth Rate or SGR. As the Washington…
Webinars and Events Pertaining to Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative Now Available
Arkansas Medicaid has announced upcoming webinars and events that will provide valuable information about several episodes of care that are ongoing or in the planning stages. The Payment Initiative website contains locations, dates and registration information. Be sure and check this website often to keep abreast of what…