Walgreens Policies
A number of weeks ago, AMS was advised by a number of physicians that Walgreens pharmacists were requesting ICD-9 codes, medical records and/or treatment plans before filling prescriptions for some medications. After further requests for information from our physicians, it became apparent that Walgreens had begun a new…
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…
HIPAA Changes to Come, Is Your Practice Ready?
AMS and SVMIC will host a half day seminar to bring your staff up to date on changes to the HIPAA law. The changes will take effect September 2013. The event is June 20, 2013, in North Little Rock at the Independent Insurance Agency Building. Registration information will…
Arkansas Prescription Monitoring Program
We are pleased to announce that the Arkansas Prescription Monitoring Program is now accessible to prescribers and pharmacists. You may create an access account at www.arkansaspmp.com. Click the Practitioner/Pharmacist tab on the left, then the highlighted link “Training Guide for Arkansas Practitioners and Pharmacists." The guide will provide…
Private Option Passes in House!
Today, April 16, 2013, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed the private option appropriation by a vote of 77-23. Picking up 8 votes from the failed attempt yesterday. 75 votes were needed. The issue now goes to the senate where it will need 27 votes.
Education and Open Voting to Headline State Physician Meeting
May 4th will mark the first ever Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Medical Society where voting in the House of Delegates will be open to any and all dues-paying members. This new policy, enacted in 2012, allows every physician an opportunity to have a say in the Society’s…
Public Workgroup Meetings
As the Arkansas Health Care Payment Improvement Initiative continues to move forward, four public workgroup meetings have been scheduled to present information on new episodes that are being considered. This is your chance to voice your opinion on those conditions that may affect your practice. These meetings will…
CMS Releases Final Regulations
CMS recently released the final regulations governing the implementation of the Medicaid primary care rate increase to 2009 Medicare rates for calendar years 2013 and 2014. AMS has been working with Arkansas Medicaid to implement this program. To qualify for the increased payment, the physician must meet one…
Arkansas Family Physicians Lead the Way in EMR
Arkansas’ family practice physicians are outdoing their national peers in converting from paper to electronic records, which promise better efficiency and containment of cost, according a report in the Annals of Family Medicine. About 68 percent of family physicians in the U.S. had converted their practices to electronic…
ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE PAYMENT IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE
The Arkansas Department of Human Services will continue the monthly Arkansas Health Care Payment Improvement Initiative webinars on Monday, January 14, with the perinatal episode. DHS has committed to provide information regarding episodes of care on a monthly basis. AMS staff attended the first webinar and found it…
EPISODES OF CARE
As the second wave of episodes of care begins to develop for the Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative, AMS wants to continue to direct you to information and resources that are available. The next round of workgroups have already begun and AMS has been instrumental in making sure that…