CMS Grants Relief for Stage 3 Meaningful-Use
CMS recently finalized a rule allowing eligible providers more flexibility in how they meet the third stage of meaningful-use requirements for the electronic health-record incentive program. The rule would grant providers a longer timeline and more flexibility in meeting the incentive goals laid out by the stimulus program…
Hydrocodone Drugs Moving to Schedule II Oct 6
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a final rule Aug. 22 that changes the controlled substance scheduling of hydrocodone combination products (HCP) from Schedule III to Schedule II. The change is scheduled to take effect Oct. 6. The new rules include these requirements: HCP prescriptions issued on or…
CDL-Medical Examiner Training from the Comfort of Your Home or Office
As of May 21, 2014, CMV drivers must have medical exams performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.The Arkansas Medical Society (AMS) is prepared to assist you in the certification process. We are a registered NRCME training provider for health…
Can a simple 24-hour diet history save BIG health care bucks?
Published on Jun 26, 2013 Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD, highlights how spending time asking patients a few questions about their diet can lead to simple solutions for health ailments -- and save health care dollars. Finding out that a pregnant woman doesn't eat vegetables can help prevent spina bifida…
New restrictions on hydrocodone to take effect
Article below from USA Today Online. Read more at federalregister.gov. WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is finalizing new restrictions on hundreds of medicines containing hydrocodone, the highly addictive painkiller that has grown into the most widely prescribed drug in the U.S. The new rules mean that drugs…
6 top tips for using social media smartly
From AMA Wire, 8/4/2014, 9:42 AM There’s more to social media than selfies and study breaks—smart use can enhance your learning and position you as an expert to patients. Follow these tips from physicians and medical students in the field to make sure you’re making the most of…
AMS and AMA Seek Intervention to Support Peer Review Fairness Act
On June 10th, Baptist Health Medical System, Washington Regional Medical Center, and Mercy Health System filed suit in Pulaski County Circuit Court arguing that the Peer Review Fairness Act of 2013 is unconstitutional because it: is preempted by federal law; treats hospitals differently than other similarly situated healthcare…
AFMC Partners with Aledade – An Independent Physician Focused ACO
The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) and Aledade, an accountable care organization led by the former head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, have announced plans to work together in establishing an ACO consisting of independent family physicians from around the state.…
Credentialing Process Issues
Recently AMS has received calls regarding the credentialing of physicians with carrier networks. Complaints seem to be about the length of time it takes for a carrier to complete the credentialing process thus delaying payment for physician services. If your practice has experienced long delays in this process,…
AMS’ Newest Resource
Gloria Boone, CPC, CPHIT, CPEHR, has joined the Arkansas Medical Society team. Gloria will serve as Physician Outreach Specialist, helping member physicians and their practices with the Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative (APII). Working on contract from the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, she will provide members with information…
ICD-10 Compliance Date
In a recent news bulletin from CMS, AMS learned that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expects to release an interim final rule in the near future that will include a new compliance date that would require the use of ICD-10 beginning October 1, 2015. AMS…