AMS NEWS
Calling All Prescribers… Have You Completed the AR PMP Survey?
A survey to examine how often prescribers are using Arkansas’ Electronic Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) went out February 4th to the email address provided to the AR PMP by the prescriber. If you have not already completed it, please do so today! The monitoring program was made available…
How you can tip the balance for SGR repeal
From AMA Morning Rounds, Feb 10, 2014 A long-awaited and hard-fought bill to permanently repeal Medicare’s fatally flawed SGR formula finally is before Congress, following a milestone announcement Thursday. It’s critical to maintain the momentum in Congress: Your voice could tip the balance to pass repeal this year.…
Lawmakers release plan to repeal SGR
From AMA Morning Rounds, 2/7/2014 News that lawmakers have released a plan that would permanently fix the sustainable growth rate received coverage in a few major US newspapers, and was widely covered in the beltway media. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle praised the deal, as did…
Now You Can Get Your Answering Service Messages Via DocbookMD
As you may know, receiving SMS messages with patient information, even from your answering service, can violate HIPAA. Your answering service may be HIPAA-secure, but once the information has passed to your mobile device, it is your responsibility to keep it secure. That is why DocbookMD now works…
January Edition of AMSNewsBriefs
The January edition of AMS NewsBriefs is now available. You will find articles from the newsletter on the latest news page. AMS members can access the entire NewsBrief as a pdf in the publications section.
Arkansas Urology announces acquisition of Epoch Health brand, grand opening of North Little Rock clinic
LITTLE ROCK (Jan. 16, 2014) – Arkansas Urology has acquired the Epoch Health brand, which created and launched the state’s first physician-run testosterone therapy clinic. Arkansas Urology’s experienced physicians use the latest treatments and state-of-the-art technology to effectively treat a wide variety of urological disorders and diseases. The…
Webinar: Keeping Current with Employee Classifications
February 19, 2014, Noon - 1 p.m. | REGISTER On July 18, 2013, the Senate confirmed Thomas Perez as the new Secretary of the Department of Labor. Perez is believed to be "tough on enforcement" and penalties. Therefore, employers can expect the Department of Labor (DOL) to initiate…
Novitas Experiencing Excessive Wait Time
It has come to the attention of AMS that Novitas Solutions, the Medicare Fiscal Intermediary for Arkansas, is experiencing excessive wait time for phone calls. Billie Jean Davenport, AMS Director of Practice Management, has spoken with a contact at Novitas and if you need immediate attention with a…
Attention Arkansas Providers – Incorrect Duplicate Denials
AMS has become aware of an internal problem that has resulted in incorrect Duplicate Denial with Novitas Solutions. A system alert was posted on the Novitas Solutions website January 3, 2014. The issue occurred on claims between 12/26/2013 and 12/31/2013. Novitas has corrected the issue and will automatically…
Public Hearing – Office Based Surgery
The Arkansas State Medical Board will hold a public hearing on Proposed Regulation 35, which establishes rules for physicians performing office based surgery. During the 2013 legislative session, AMS sponsored legislation that became Act 587. Prior to Act 587, the Arkansas Department of Health had determined that office…
G8553 Code No Longer Valid
AMS has been receiving questions on HCPCs code G8553 and why it is no longer valid for 2014. Physicians no longer have to report any code when prescribing electronically. ERx incentive is being replaced by EHR, Meaningful Use and PQRS incentives. If a physician qualified for the incentive…