AMS NEWS
SVMIC Supports AMS Leadership Development
John Mize, president and CEO of State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company, presented the Arkansas Medical Society with a $22,000 check in support of leadership development during the recent AMS Fall Board Meeting. AMS deeply appreciates this contribution and continued support.
Opportunity to Serve as an AMS Trustee
AMS District Trustee nominations are now being accepted through February 1, 2014. District Trustees will be elected by AMS members in the respective districts, with voting taking place from February 17-28, 2014. Eligibility criteria: must live and/or practice in the district you wish to represent; be an Active, Direct…
SGR Fee Schedule Rule Announced
SGR cuts of 24% for 2014 were announced by CMS on Wednesday, November 27th. Because of the lateness of this announcement, physicians will have until the end of January 2014 to change their Medicare participation status, if so desired. Congress must repeal the SGR, or put another temporary…
New Information On Acetaminophen
FDA Acetaminophen Limits in Combination Products Effective January 14, 2014, it will become unlawful to purchase or sell any narcotic/acetaminophen combination products that contain greater than 325mg of acetaminophen. This ban on high dosage acetaminophen in prescription combination products was first passed by the FDA in January 2011. …
AMS Leadership Meets With Arkansas Congressional Delegation
Tuesday, November 19, AMS leadership met with the entire Arkansas Congressional delegation in Washington, DC, to discuss issues of concern. Legislative Committee Chairman, Scott Ferguson, MD; past president Michael Moody, MD; immediate past president, Gene Shelby, MD; past president, Joe Stallings, MD and President-elect, Alan Wilson, MD; along…
Legislators Press ABCBS on Fee Changes
In a public hearing on November 4, legislators on the Joint Interim Committee on Insurance & Commerce pressed representatives of ABCBS on their decision to reduce their current fee schedule by 15 percent for "non-primary care" specialties. The reduced fee schedule applies to the new products being offered…
Six Counties in South Arkansas will Benefit from Investment in Healthcare
DUMAS, Ark. – The Delta Regional Authority will announce today (December 3) an investment of $175,000 for healthcare training at the Delta Technology/Education Center (DTEC) in Dumas. This crucial training program will be provided by the Greater Alliance for Health in areas including insurance education, safety training and…
AMS Welcomes 48 New Members
The physicians listed below have illustrated their commitment to improving health care in this community and our state by joining the Arkansas Medical Society. “As society members, these physicians are part of a statewide network of over 4,000 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting the…
AMS Member Clinic Receives $170,517 for Healthy Living Campaign
The Delta Regional Authority recently awarded ARcare of East Arkansas $170,517 to further health outcomes through the “Eat Better Move More” Healthy Lifestyle Campaign and the Brinkley Health Center, Wellness Center and Mobile Unit. This investment is part of the Healthy Workforce Challenge program that has awarded $800,000…
Dr. Richard “Whit” Hall Honored
The Arkansas Chapter of The March of Dimes recently honored AMS member, Dr. Richard "Whit" Hall at their annual Signature Chefs Auction at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. This event was attended by over 600 medical professionals, friends of UAMS, and many other distinguished guests including…
ABCBS Adjusts Reimbursement for Individual Metallic Plans
Physicians and other medical providers are receiving contract amendments from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (ABCBS) laying out how they plan to begin reimbursing for services under the new health care plans. This information was shared with AMS staff recently. The network affected by the amendments is…