DHS Holds Town Halls to Prepare Providers for Major Changes to Billing
LITTLE ROCK -- (Press Release) The Department of Human Services (DHS) and Arkansas Medicaid will be hosting a series of town halls across the state to help prepare doctors and other providers for the ICD-10 code switch. More...
3 things the Supreme Court’s ACA ruling means for physicians
An AMA Viewpoints post by AMA President Steven J. Stack, MD. The Supreme Court of the United States delivered an historic decision Thursday morning in King v. Burwell. In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that subsidies should remain available for lower-income people who purchase their health insurance…
Arkansas medical providers likely unprepared for costly coding switch
On Oct. 1, the coding system used by Arkansas medical providers for billing insurance companies and the government will change. Many providers probably won’t be ready, and if they aren’t, they will have trouble getting paid. The federal government is requiring medical providers, including 38,000 in Arkansas, to…
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY: Bird Infections with Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses
Bird Infections with Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N2), (H5N8), and (H5N1) Viruses: Recommendations for Human Health Investigations and Response Summary: Highly-pathogenic avian influenza A H5 viruses have been identified in birds in the United States since December 2014. The purpose of this HAN Advisory is to notify public…
Be Wary of Compounding Pharmacy Practice
The Arkansas Medical Society has been notified of a questionable practice by an out-of-state compounding pharmacy, Global Compounding Pharmacy in Alabama. AMS has been told that the pharmacy is sending one or more reps around to local clinics with "pre-printed" scripts for topical pain and scarring medications. According…
AMS Physicians Achieve Remarkable Legislative Successes
Once again, physicians stood up for their patients and profession, going 8-0 in the most recent legislative session. The Arkansas Medical Society went undefeated in the legislative session, passing all eight supported bills and defeating all 13 bills the Society opposed. AMS Legislation that became law: Prior Authorization…
(S)aying (G)ood (R)iddance
No, you weren't dreaming. Congress really did get rid of SGR. So, now what? After twelve years and seventeen patches and eighteen years after the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 brought us the flawed SGR, we can say good riddance! Senate and House members from both sides of…
Medicaid Enrollment Problems
The Division of County Operations (DCO) recently implemented a new system, CURAM, to process Medicaid applications and determine eligibility. The new system has incurred technical problems which is slowing the process of issuing applicant Medicaid ID numbers. John Selig, DHS Director, and Delia Anderson, DCO Director, have established…
Tax Scam Hits Again!
Once again, AMS has been contacted by several physicians regarding fraudulent tax returns filed with the IRS. AMS has contacted the FBI and were referred back to the IRS agents who are looking into the scam. If you encountered this problem and have not contacted AMS, please call…
What’s new with Arkansas Medicaid?
Claims submitted without ICD-10 codes on or after 10/01/15 will not be paid. All claims submitted to Arkansas Medicaid for dates of service on and after 10/01/15 must bill using ICD-10 codes. Claims that do not bill ICD-10 codes will be denied and you will not be paid…
Ax-it option is in, Medicaid’s reviewers told
Article by ANDY DAVIS, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 1, 2015 An advisory group studying Arkansas’ Medicaid program should explore alternatives that include giving up the more than $ 1 billion in federal funding the state receives annually to provide coverage to more than 200,000 low- income adults, Gov. Asa…