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The law that repealed the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula also included important provisions to help maintain the health and well-being of American children.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…
Medicaid Enrollment Problems Continue
AMS has been monitoring the continuing problems at DHS's Division of County Operations (DCO) that have resulted in a monumental backlog of enrollment problems. Pregnant women and children seem to be the most impacted with some clinics reporting enrollment delays of six or more months. The problem stems…
Child Immunization Update – Vaccine For Children (VFC) and Separate Child Health Insurance Program Eligibility (S CHIP) – To All VFC Providers
Beginning August 1, 2015, Arkansas ARKids-B children will no longer be eligible to receive VFC vaccine. ARKids-B will instead receive vaccine from the Separate Child Health Insurance Program, commonly referred to as SCHIP. Both VFC and SCHIP offer the vaccine at no cost to participating physicians or to…
AHIN User Certification
The Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative provides access to reports through the AHIN portal for Patient Centered Medical Home and Episodes of Care providers. AHIN users must re-certify by August 1 to ensure continued access to provider reports. In the AHIN portal, the following message will display if you have…
Important Dates for PCMH Practices
2016 Open Enrollment: September 1 - November 13, 2015 PMPM payments: August 1, 2015 Shared Savings Report: September 22, 2015 Shared Savings Payments: October, 2015 RA Q3 PCMH Reports: September 22, 2015 If you have questions or comments please contact Gloria Boone, 870-918-0944.
CMS, AMA announce changes to ease ICD-10 transition
In a joint press release Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the American Medical Association announced changes to help providers make the transition to ICD-10 by the Oct. 1, 2015 deadline. The Hill (7/7, Sullivan) reports CMS said that for 12 months, Medicare claims will…