Switch & Save with the Arkansas Medical Society VISA Gold or VISA Platinum Credit Card
The AMS VISA is exclusively for AMS members and features a new "Select Rewards Program," which offers a wide variety of money-saving benefits. Make the move today and take advantage of one of the many benefits of being an AMS member. With this introductory offer, members will enjoy…
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…
Board of Trustee Election Results
The elections for AMS district trustees concluded on Feb. 29. Nearly 500 AMS members voted in the election featuring 27 physician candidates. The following were elected for 2-year terms and will be confirmed at the House of Delegates meeting on April 23: District 1 - Bradley Bibb, MD,…
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…
Combined Force of 4,300 Physician Members has Big Impact
Healthcare Leader G. Edward Bryant, Jr., MD, says the Arkansas Medical Society combats major threats to practicing good medicine. AUTHOR Becky Gillette Article from the Arkansas Medical News, March/April 2016. When it comes to the greatest challenges facing physicians, whether it be excessive documentation required by government programs, insurance…
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…
AMS Welcomes 21 New Members
By joining the Arkansas Medical Society (AMS), the physicians listed below have illustrated their commitment to improving health care in their communities and our state. “As AMS members, these physicians are part of a statewide network of over 4,300 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting…
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…
US, Brazil launch campaigns against spread of Zika virus
The Washington Post (2/13, A1, Sun, Dennis) reported that global health officials “are mobilizing to battle the fast-spreading Zika virus, sending rapid-response teams to affected regions, issuing travel warnings for pregnant women, accelerating vaccine trials and even deploying mosquito-fighting troops to hard-hit areas in Brazil.” The Post explained…