AMS NEWS
FDA Warns Oral Anti-Fungal May Cause Adrenal, Liver Problems
The Wall Street Journal (7/27, Burton, Subscription Publication, 2.29M) reported that the US Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it was limiting the use of Johnson & Johnson's oral, anti-fungal therapy, Nizoral (ketoconazole). Although the product is available as a topical, including as a cream and a…
AR PMP Access
Approximately 1,700 physicians have signed up to access the Arkansas Prescription Monitoring Program to monitor their patient use of controlled substances. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Reminder, AR PMP information is HIPAA protected. Please do not fax reports to other practitioners or give to patients. Practitioners have their…
Arkansas Physicians Receive EHR Incentive Payments
CMS recently released monetary figures reflecting incentive payments paid to Arkansas physicians who have achieved meaningful use. These physicians adopted, implemented, or upgraded to a certified EHR through new technology. The figures include payments made since 2011. Payments for meaningful use from Medicaid to 933 physicians was $16,719,507. …
PCP Supplemental Payment
It is not too late to attest for the PCP Supplemental Payment with Arkansas Medicaid. Arkansas Medicaid is participating in a federal program that allows for supplemental Medicaid payments to certain physician specialties for primary care services for calendar years 2013 and 2014. To qualify for the payment,…
Organized Medical Staff Committee
AMS believes that medical staffs across the state share common concerns and challenges yet have no venue to explore these issues with others going through the same issues. Examples include bylaws, call, employment issues, peer review, and self-governance. To that end, AMS is creating a committee to bring…
Dr. Shelby Re-Elected
Congratulations to Gene Shelby, MD, Hot Springs, who was re-elected Chairman of the AMS Board of Trustees at the August board meeting. Dr. Shelby has been an Emergency Room physician for over 35 years, served as AMS President 2012-2013 and has served as an Arkansas State Representative.
Welcome Congress back to the capital: Tell them to fix Medicare now.
Congress is back in session following the summer recess. Tell your lawmakers that now is the time to transform Medicare into an effective, 21st-century model of care. The AMA’s Fix Medicare Now website, launched earlier this month, lets physicians, medical students and patients lend their voices to the…
VACANCY ON THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD
A vacancy will occur December 31, 2013, on the Arkansas State Medical Board. The Medical Board consists of fourteen members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. Ten of those members are physicians appointed upon the recommendation of the Arkansas Medical Society representing each of the four congressional…
AMS Welcomes 128 New Members This Summer
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…
Update on Walgreens’ Policy Regarding Narcotic Prescriptions
The Arkansas Medical Society participated in a series of conference calls with the DEA, AMA and several other states regarding recent developments over Walgreens' new policy to require that pharmacists request diagnostic codes, explanations of alternative therapies and medical records before filling certain prescriptions. The Drug Enforcement Agency…
Allergist Added to List of Eligible Providers for Medicaid Enhanced Payments
Due to national advocacy, CMS has clarified that allergists can attest to board certification and receive enhanced payments for a number of E&M codes as well as immunizations under the Medicaid enhanced payment program. The Arkansas Medical Society asked for DHS to review the list of eligible physicians…