Governor favors keeping Medicaid expansion, with changes
Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke recently to a joint meeting of the Health Reform Legislative Task Force and the Governor's Medicaid Advisory Council. He told the group that he favored keeping Medicaid expansion — but only if the federal government allowed changes that seemed intended to appeal to conservative…
Urgent Message Regarding Private Option Terminations
News reports have been following the situation of Private Option patients whose coverage has been or will be terminated due to lack of updated income information. There have been major problems in collecting the needed information, compounded by backlogs at local county offices, delayed mail, nondescript envelopes and…
What CMS is saying about ICD-10: Revised guidelines issued
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making the transition to the ICD-10 code set more flexible. CMS updated its guidance on the ICD-10 coding transition following requests from the AMA to clarify some issues. The revised FAQs are consistent with the original announcement and provide…
1st drug in the world manufactured by 3-D printing wins FDA approval
In a world first, the US Food and Drug Administration has given the go-ahead for a 3D-printed pill to be produced: a dissolvable tablet that treats seizures.” Aprecia Pharmaceuticals announced on Monday that the FDA approved Spritam (levetiracetam), a tablet “manufactured through a layered process via 3-D printing”…
Physician Groups Band Together to Address America’s Opioid Crisis
AMA convened task force engages physicians to curb opioid abuse CHICAGO — Opioid abuse is a serious public health problem that has reached crisis levels across the United States, with 44 people dying each day from overdose of opioids, and many more becoming addicted. Recognizing the urgency and…
Successful Physician Recruitment Vital To Allay Shortages in Arkansas
Arkansas Medical News July 2015 | Becky Gillette Physician shortages, particularly primary care shortages in rural areas of Arkansas far from metro areas, are acute and there is a looming imperative to address the issue not just for the present, but for the next ten to 20 years…
How the SGR repeal law ensures access to care for kids
The law that repealed the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula also included important provisions to help maintain the health and well-being of American children. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) addresses a variety of issues, including extending funding to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides low-cost…
July Newsletter Now Available
The July 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…
CMS Agrees to ICD-10 Grace Period
CMS Agrees to ICD-10 Grace Period - The American Medical Association and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) jointly announced that an agreement has been reached on important elements of a "grace period" for the October 1, 2015, implementation of the ICD-10 diagnosis code set. In guidance…
ICD-10-CM Coding Extravaganza – September 2, 2015 – “A Hands-on Approach”
Join us for a full day of "hands-on" ICD-10-CM training and education. You'll earn 7.5 CEUs and leave with a thorough understanding of how to code ICD-10-CM. A comprehensive workbook with exercises, rationales and a Bonus Mock ICD-10-CM Exam to prepare you for the AAPC ICD-10-CM exam, will…
Complaints Grow Over Medicare Advantage Plans
AMS continues to receive more complaints related to Medicare Advantage (MA) carriers than any other type of health plan. Physicians are reminded that participation in these plans is voluntary and you would do well to periodically review any MA provider contract you have and make an informed decision…