QualChoice Plan Change
QualChoice of Arkansas has contacted AMS with information regarding a change to Individual Metallic Insurance Plans. Beginning January 1, 2017, all members of QualChoice individual metallic plans (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Catastrophic) will be in the QualChoice Select Network. These plans will require the insured to choose a…
2016’s top 5 stories for physicians
Medicine is always a balancing act, and this year’s best-read stories for physicians hit on that perennial theme. Whether weighing doctors’ home and working lives or pain control and the risk of abuse, these articles caught the attention of physician readers. How physician burnout compares to general working…
Obama Administration scraps Medicare Part B proposal for reimbursing physicians
The Wall Street Journal (12/16, Evans, Walker, Subscription Publication) reported that the Obama Administration has scrapped a controversial plan to alter how Medicare reimburses physicians for Part B drugs which they administer in their offices after the industry strongly criticized the proposal. Acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt said…
Texas reports first locally transmitted Zika case
The AP (11/28, Stengle) reports that “Texas on Monday reported its first case of Zika virus that likely came from a mosquito bite within the state.” The AP points out that Florida is the only other state with locally spread Zika. Meanwhile, “health officials say that the woman…
Tom Price reportedly selected to head HHS
The New York Times (11/28, A1, Pear, Subscription Publication) reports on its front page that according to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, he has chosen Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) to be the next HHS Secretary. Price, who is “an orthopedic surgeon, has been a severe critic of the…
New Study Suggests Retail Clinics Do Not Reduce Non-Emergency ED Visits
According to a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, retail clinics are addressing the issue of increased patient demand, but have not been associated with a meaningful reduction in low-acuity ED visits. The article reported that people “are just as likely to go to the emergency…
WHO: Zika no longer an international public health emergency
The Washington Post (11/18, Sun) reported that the World Health Organization declared that the Zika virus is no longer an international public health emergency. However, experts with the WHO clarified that this designation does not indicate that addressing Zika is less important, but that it requires a sustained…
AMA Statement on the Future of Health Care Reform
Statement attributable to: Andrew W. Gurman, M.D. President, American Medical Association “The AMA House of Delegates, reflecting more than 170 state and specialty medical societies from across the country, today reaffirmed its commitment to health care reform that improves access to care for all patients. “Using a comprehensive…
Latest NewsBrief Now Available
The October 2016 issue of AMS NewsBriefs has been distributed via email and printed mail. Members, if you did not receive a copy, please give us a call to update your subscription preferences at 800-542-1058. The issue is available online in the Publications section as well as excerpts…
HHS Office of Civil Rights Rule Finalization
HHS OCR finalized a new rule under Section 1557 to advance health equity and reduce health disparities by strengthening protections for some of the populations that have been most vulnerable to discrimination in the health care context. Section 1557 is the nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act…
MACRA Update
AMS will continue to provide our physicians with updates on MACRA as new information becomes available. The AMA has some resources here. Below are some other resources you might find helpful: MACRA website - Includes a checklist with steps practices can take now to prepare, an action kit and…