Physician Volunteers Needed at the State Capitol
The Arkansas Medical Society will again sponsor the "Doctor of the Day" program for the 2015 session of the Arkansas legislature. This program has been provided by the Society for a number of years and has enhanced the effectiveness of our political efforts. The legislative session will convene on…
Vote!!
Early voting runs from October 20 to November 3. AMS encourages you and your staff to get out and make a difference. One vote CAN make that difference. A 2010 example from here in Arkansas ... two candidates for sheriff in Stone County tied twice, both in the…
Fall Meeting to Be Held Atop Mount Magazine
Join us on Friday, Oct. 31 for the AMS Fall Meeting. Every two years AMS members gather to discuss healthcare issues that may be considered in the upcoming legislative session. We will hear from state representatives and Scott Smith, JD, director of AMS governmental affairs, who will outline…
Arkansas Department of Health Distributes Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Screening Resource
In light of new developments and extensive media coverage regarding the Ebola case in Texas, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) wanted to distribute some helpful resources for management of potential Ebola patients. The CDC is actively developing and updating information on their website, and the recommendations and guides…
CDC confirms 594 cases of enterovirus in 43 states.
Coverage of the enterovirus outbreak continues, with all three of last night’s national news broadcasts discussing the virus for a total of nearly four-and-a-half minutes. Coverage primarily focused on the death of a four-year-old New Jersey boy, the first confirmed death from enterovirus. ABC World News (10/6, story…
Ebola Confirmed on US Soil: The Facts for Physicians and Patients
From "AMA Wire," 9/30/2014, 7:37 PM The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Tuesday Sept 30 that the first case of Ebola has appeared in the United States. The virus is spread through contact with bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or has…
Hydrocodone Reclassification: What physicians need to know
Recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a final rule rescheduling hydrocodone combination products (HCPs) into Controlled Substance Schedule II, effective October 6, 2014. Rescheduling issues directly related to Arkansas: Under Arkansas law, physician assistants and advance practice registered nurses are not authorized to write prescriptions for…
Latest Edition of AMS NewsBriefs Released
Articles from our latest newsletter and other news items can now be viewed in the news section. This edition’s articles include Technical Error Involving PCP Supplemental Payments Yelvington Named New AMS Board Chairman CMS Grants Relief for Stage 3 Meaningful-Use Hydrocodone Drugs Moving to Schedule II Oct 6
Technical Error Involving PCP Supplemental Payments
It has come to the attention of AMS that many Medicaid primary care physicians were not fully reimbursed for their quarterly Medicaid PCP Supplemental Payments that processed in July. To address the issue, Medicaid is generating payments to the physicians in the amounts they are due. The payment…
Yelvington Named New AMS Board Chairman
Dennis Yelvington, MD, of Stuttgart was elected Chairman of the AMS Board of Trustees at the August Board meeting. Dr. Yelvington has served as a district trustee since 2007. He has been a member of the Society since 1985.
CMS Grants Relief for Stage 3 Meaningful-Use
CMS recently finalized a rule allowing eligible providers more flexibility in how they meet the third stage of meaningful-use requirements for the electronic health-record incentive program. The rule would grant providers a longer timeline and more flexibility in meeting the incentive goals laid out by the stimulus program…