White House to request $1.1 billion to address opioid crisis
The New York Times (2/2, A13, Harris, Subscription Publication) reports that the Obama Administration said Tuesday it would ask Congress to spend an additional $1.1 billion next year to fight the nation’s opioid abuse epidemic. Nearly half of the new funds would be used to expand treatment facilities.…
Flu Season Begins: Severe Influenza Illness Reported
CDC urges rapid antiviral treatment of very ill and high risk suspect influenza patients without waiting for testing CDC HEALTH ADVISORY: February 1, 2016 Summary Influenza activity is increasing across the country and CDC has received reports of severe influenza illness. Clinicians are reminded to treat suspected influenza in…
New Guidelines Seek to Prevent Overuse of Antibiotics in Adults
The CDC and the American College of Physicians recently issued guidelines intended to help physicians avoid overuse of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections in adults. The guidelines, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, describe how physicians begin deciding if antibiotics are warranted for certain respiratory complaints, explain that…
New Issue of AMS NewsBriefs Now Available
The latest issue of AMS NewsBriefs has been distributed via email and printed mail. Members, if you do 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 in the Latest News section.
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Exemption
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Exemption - Prior to adjourning for the holidays, Congress adopted legislation, S. 2425, the "Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act," which included a provision granting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the authority to expedite applications for exemptions from Meaningful Use Stage…
AMS Sponsored Insurance – AMS Benefits, Inc
AMS Benefits, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Arkansas Medical Society focused on providing needed insurance services to AMS members, their clinic staff, and family. They provide a convenient source for health, life, disability, dental and vision coverage. Call and ask for Alanna Scheffer (NPN#1653222) or…
SVMIC Continues to Partner with AMS for Professional Liability Program
Just a reminder that State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company is the endorsed carrier for the AMS. SVMIC is the state's largest carrier and as most policyholders know, offers an array of practice management and risk management services to their policy holders. As the endorsed carrier, SVMIC works closely…
Social Security Numbers Removed from ASMB Documents
After a request from AMS, changes were recently made by the Arkansas State Medical Board to reflect that all documents generated by the Medical Board data base that leave the office now will display only the last 4 digits of the SSN.
AMS Welcomes 68 New Members
By joining the Arkansas Medical Society (AMS), the members listed below have illustrated their commitment to improving health care in their communities and our state. “As AMS members, these members are part of a statewide network of over 4,300 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting the…
Why the physician voice is key to public health
Physicians bear the right to speak up for themselves and their patients. That’s a principle Mary Travis Bassett, MD, public health commissioner for the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, said guides her work and commitment to speaking out against health disparities—even if it means…
Christian Clinic offers free services; doctors needed
By Tammy Keith, Arkansas Democratt-Gazette Paula Margison of Atkins said she would never be able to afford her diabetes medication if it weren’t for the River Valley Christian Clinic in Dardanelle. “I would be in deep, serious trouble. I use four bottles of insulin a month. The last time…