DHS Holds Town Halls to Prepare Providers for Major Changes to Billing
LITTLE ROCK -- (Press Release) The Department of Human Services (DHS) and Arkansas Medicaid will be hosting a series of town halls across the state to help prepare doctors and other providers for the ICD-10 code switch. More...
3 things the Supreme Court’s ACA ruling means for physicians
An AMA Viewpoints post by AMA President Steven J. Stack, MD. The Supreme Court of the United States delivered an historic decision Thursday morning in King v. Burwell. In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that subsidies should remain available for lower-income people who purchase their health insurance…
California governor signs bill to limit vaccine exemptions for children.
ABC World News (6/30, story 5, 1:25, Robach, 5.84M) reported that California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) “signed into law one of the toughest vaccine bills in the country” Monday, requiring all children attending school to be “fully vaccinated unless they have a medical reason not to be.” Parents…
Arkansas medical providers likely unprepared for costly coding switch
On Oct. 1, the coding system used by Arkansas medical providers for billing insurance companies and the government will change. Many providers probably won’t be ready, and if they aren’t, they will have trouble getting paid. The federal government is requiring medical providers, including 38,000 in Arkansas, to…
Physicians Boost the National and State Economy
Beyond their role of safeguarding a healthy community and a productive work force, physicians have a huge positive impact on the national and state economies, as demonstrated in an American Medical Association study that was completed in conjunction with state medical associations. The national report shows that each…
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY: Bird Infections with Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses
Bird Infections with Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N2), (H5N8), and (H5N1) Viruses: Recommendations for Human Health Investigations and Response Summary: Highly-pathogenic avian influenza A H5 viruses have been identified in birds in the United States since December 2014. The purpose of this HAN Advisory is to notify public…
Physicians influence the lowest growth rate in national healthcare cost since 1961
How physicians are slowing health care costs An AMA Viewpoints post by Barbara L. McAneny, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees. As physicians, we hear firsthand from the media and other places how health care costs are out of control, and we’re often asked what can be done…
Be Wary of Compounding Pharmacy Practice
The Arkansas Medical Society has been notified of a questionable practice by an out-of-state compounding pharmacy, Global Compounding Pharmacy in Alabama. AMS has been told that the pharmacy is sending one or more reps around to local clinics with "pre-printed" scripts for topical pain and scarring medications. According…
Hepatitis C Trend Increasing in Arkansas
Video from THV11 | Download May Journal (members only) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ADH) – Illness and death due to Hepatitis C (Hep C) infection is increasing in Arkansas, according to new research published in the May 2015 issue of the Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society. The research,…
AMS Physicians Achieve Remarkable Legislative Successes
Once again, physicians stood up for their patients and profession, going 8-0 in the most recent legislative session. The Arkansas Medical Society went undefeated in the legislative session, passing all eight supported bills and defeating all 13 bills the Society opposed. AMS Legislation that became law: Prior Authorization…
(S)aying (G)ood (R)iddance
No, you weren't dreaming. Congress really did get rid of SGR. So, now what? After twelve years and seventeen patches and eighteen years after the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 brought us the flawed SGR, we can say good riddance! Senate and House members from both sides of…