EHR Attestation and Hardship Exception
As announced in an earlier news alert, CMS is extending the application deadline for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program hardship exception process that reduces the burden on physicians and other providers. The new deadline for eligible professionals, eligible hospitals & CAHs is July 1, 2016. CMS is extending…
Clinician Consultation Center
The Arkansas Department of Health would like physicians to know about this program that offers free and confidential clinician-to-clinician telephone consultation focusing on substance use evaluation and management for primary care clinicians through the Substance Use Warmline at (855) 300-3595. Consultation is available Monday through Friday, between 10…
Deadline Extended for Hardship Exemption Application
New and Updated FAQs Provide Guidance on Public Health Reporting Requirements for the EHR Incentive Programs The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending the application deadline for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program hardship exception process that reduces burden on clinicians, hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs). The new deadline…
Avoid meaningful use penalties: Exemption deadline now July 1
Physicians now have until July 1—an additional three months—to apply for a hardship exemption from the electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use financial penalties for the 2015 program year. Those who don’t apply could face up to a 3 percent cut in their Medicare payments in 2017 since…
Governors discuss ways to fight opioid abuse epidemic
The AP (2/22, Nuckols) reports that President Obama “declined to endorse” a proposal by the National Governors Association to limit the number of opioid pain medications physicians can prescribe. According to the AP, “Obama was cool to the idea at a meeting with the governors he hosted at…
CCMS Clarification on Meaningful Use Hardship Exemption
In response to requests from the AMA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued FAQ #14357 clarifying that applying for a hardship exemption from the 2017 meaningful use payment penalty will not preclude physicians from receiving the incentive if they successfully attest to meaningful use…
New Guidelines Seek to Prevent Overuse of Antibiotics in Adults
The CDC and the American College of Physicians recently issued guidelines intended to help physicians avoid overuse of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in adults. The guidelines, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, describe how physicians begin deciding if antibiotics are warranted for certain respiratory complaints, explain that…
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Exemption
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Exemption - Prior to adjourning for the holidays, Congress adopted legislation, S. 2425, the "Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act," which included a provision granting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the authority to expedite applications for exemptions from Meaningful Use Stage…
AMS Sponsored Insurance – AMS Benefits, Inc
AMS Benefits, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Arkansas Medical Society focused on providing needed insurance services to AMS members, their clinic staff, and family. They provide a convenient source for health, life, disability, dental and vision coverage. Call and ask for Alanna Scheffer (NPN#1653222) or…
SVMIC Continues to Partner with AMS for Professional Liability Program
Just a reminder that State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company is the endorsed carrier for the AMS. SVMIC is the state's largest carrier and as most policyholders know, offers an array of practice management and risk management services to their policy holders. As the endorsed carrier, SVMIC works closely…
Social Security Numbers Removed from ASMB Documents
After a request from AMS, changes were recently made by the Arkansas State Medical Board to reflect that all documents generated by the Medical Board data base that leave the office now will display only the last 4 digits of the SSN.