ABCBS RESPONDS TO EPISODE MODEL CONCERNS
AMS and several physician groups, including representatives of the Arkansas Orthopedic Society, have been meeting regularly with ABCBS officials to work through concerns over their implementation of the Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative (APII). As a direct result of these discussions, ABCBS has made changes and adjustments, some of…
AMS Partner athenahealth Earnins Top Rankings
WATERTOWN, Mass.—December 14, 2012— athenahealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHN), a leading provider of cloud-based electronic health record (EHR), practice management, and care coordination services to medical groups and health systems, today announced that it has earned three #1, Best in KLAS rankings within the 2012 Best in KLAS Awards:…
AMS EVP Speaks Out On Physician Dispensing
Article from Arkansas Business Online - 12/3/2012 Arkansas Medical Society Urges No Appeal in Doctors Selling Drugs Case Until last month, the Arkansas Medical Society stayed out of a fight between the Arkansas State Medical Board and doctors who want to sell prescription drugs out of their offices.…
Arkansas Payment Initiative Update
Episode of Care Model - October 1 marked the start of the twelve month reporting period for Medicaid's initial three episodes (Acute Upper Respiratory Infections, ADHD, and Pregnancy). The next two episodes will begin in January (knee/hip replacement and CHF). Meanwhile, ABCBS has sent contract amendments to physicians…
E-Prescribing Hardship Exemption Deadline Extended
CMS has announced that the Quality Reporting Communications Support Page will re-open beginning November 1, 2012, through January 31, 2013, to offer an additional opportunity for providers to apply for a hardship exemption to avoid the 2012 e-prescribing 1.5 percent payment adjustment on Medicare claims. The previous deadline…
October Journal Online Now!
The October issue of the Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society will soon be on it's way to your mailbox. Logged in members can access it online now in the Publications section.
“Meaningful Use” Stage Two Final Rule Released
The American Medical Association has provided ongoing input since the inception of the EHR incentive program and has urged greater flexibility to make the program more reasonable and achievable for physicians. In a letter submitted by the AMA and signed by AMS, recommendations were outlined to eliminate physician…
CPCI Clinics Selected for Participation
Applications for the Coordinated Primary Care Initiative (CPCI) have been processed and the physicians that have been selected for the pilot project were announced August 22, 2012. Arkansas was among the seven geographical areas targeted for participation. Primary Care Physicians were asked to go through an application process…
CPCI Application Period Open Now
Primary care practices considering applying for the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative pilot program have until July 20 to submit applications. AMS has learned that currently there are approximately 84 clinics that have begun the process of application. The first step for interested practices is to complete the short…