Delegate access now available for the Ark Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
The Arkansas Prescription Management Program (AR PMP) is starting its fourth year with over 6,000 users and is happy to announce that "delegate access" is now available! Practitioners and pharmacists are encouraged to use this valuable healthcare tool to monitor the controlled substance history of patients. Delegate access…
AMS Welcomes 76 New Members
By joining the Arkansas Medical Society (AMS) over the last three months, 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…
Senate votes to repeal much of ACA, defund Planned Parenthood
The Washington Post (12/4, Snell) reports that the Senate recently voted 52-47 to repeal “large portions” of the Affordable Care Act and defund Planned Parenthood. The budget reconciliation package, which needed only a simple 51-vote majority to pass, “make[s] good on a longstanding” GOP promise to voters but…
Help with Submitting Documentation to Novitas
Novitas Solutions’ Medical Review Department has noticed an increase in the improper submission of documentation in response to an Additional Documentation Request (ADR) and has provided the following information to help alleviate the problem. Multiple occurrences have been identified of providers submitting redetermination forms in response to an…
Pain Management Training & Information
Resources From the Providers' Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies The AMA and members of the Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse are collaborating on theProviders' Clinical Support System initiative, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and administered by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.…
CME Courses & Webinars on Safe Opioid Prescribing
Physicians can earn CME credit for studying many of these Task Force-approved resources. Webinar | Opioid Agonist Therapy: To Maintain or Not to Maintain American Psychiatric Association CME | Stigma in Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment American Society of Addiction Medicine CME | SCOPE of Pain: Safe and…
AMA Summary of the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
On October 30, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the (1,358 page) 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule with comment period. CMS has issued a general fact sheet and a PQRS payment adjustment fact sheet. The AMA submitted detailed comments on the…
Arkansas Doctors, Lawmakers, And Buisness Leaders Debate Value Of Telemedicine
By Steve Brawner / Talk Business & Politics • Nov 5, 2015 A form of telemedicine available in 49 other states is a good benefit for employees, said representatives of Walmart, J.B. Hunt, and America’s Car Mart. The Arkansas Medical Society and four state legislators, however, worry that…
What Can I Do to Prevent Opioid Abuse?
Opioid abuse is a national epidemic that you have the power to help prevent. The AMA Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse wants physicians across the nation to join together and take action to prevent opioid abuse. Here are five things you can do to prevent opioid abuse:…
CDC Health Advisory: Increases in Fentanyl Drug Confiscations
Increases in Fentanyl Drug Confiscations and Fentanyl-related Overdose Fatalities Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are investigating recent increases in fentanyl-related unintentional overdose fatalities in multiple states across the U.S. The purpose of this HAN advisory is to: (1)…
October Newsletter now available
The October 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 in…