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…
Medicaid Enrollment Problems
The Division of County Operations (DCO) recently implemented a new system, CURAM, to process Medicaid applications and determine eligibility. The new system has incurred technical problems which is slowing the process of issuing applicant Medicaid ID numbers. John Selig, DHS Director, and Delia Anderson, DCO Director, have established…
Tax Scam Hits Again!
Once again, AMS has been contacted by several physicians regarding fraudulent tax returns filed with the IRS. AMS has contacted the FBI and were referred back to the IRS agents who are looking into the scam. If you encountered this problem and have not contacted AMS, please call…
What’s new with Arkansas Medicaid?
Claims submitted without ICD-10 codes on or after 10/01/15 will not be paid. All claims submitted to Arkansas Medicaid for dates of service on and after 10/01/15 must bill using ICD-10 codes. Claims that do not bill ICD-10 codes will be denied and you will not be paid…
Ax-it option is in, Medicaid’s reviewers told
Article by ANDY DAVIS, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 1, 2015 An advisory group studying Arkansas’ Medicaid program should explore alternatives that include giving up the more than $ 1 billion in federal funding the state receives annually to provide coverage to more than 200,000 low- income adults, Gov. Asa…
Free Webinar on Tobacco Use in LGBT Communities: How Can We Do Better?
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 12 - 1 pm The Arkansas Department of Health and The National LGBT Health Education Center is sponsoring a free webinar to try to improve treatment and prevention of tobacco use in LGBT populations. Faculty: Phoenix Matthews, PhD, Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist with…
AMS Elects New Officers
On April 18, 2015, G. Edward Bryant, MD of West Memphis was installed as the 2015-2014 president of AMS. Alan Wilson, MD, of Crossett, will serve as Immediate Past President. The AMS House of Delegates elected or re-elected members to the following positions: (# newly elected; *re-elected; ^…
2015 Annual Meeting Recap
Physicians from across the state met on April 17th-18th in Fayetteville to discuss advocacy efforts, elect new physician leaders, participate in educational opportunities and plan for the future of healthcare in our state. At the forefront of each activity was the overarching concern for the patients of Arkansas, as…
G. Edward Bryant, MD Installed as President
Little Rock – G. Edward Bryant, MD, a West Memphis physician, was installed as president of the Arkansas Medical Society at the group’s annual meeting in Fayetteville. He will serve a one-year term through spring 2016. Dr. Bryant, an ophthalmologist, has been an active member of the society…
CONGRESS REPEALS SGR … BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
Tuesday, April 14, on a bipartisan vote of 92 to 8, the Senate passed H.R. 2, the "Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act," or MACRA. All six members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation supported this legislation. The measure replaces the Medicare SGR formula for physician payments in place…