SVMIC Becomes Exclusive Sponsor
At the October 31 meeting of the AMS Board of Trustees, the Board approved a new "exclusive sponsorship" agreement with State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company. The AMS requested proposals from five of the major medical malpractice carriers in the state, received proposals from three of those carriers and…
AMS Seeks Candidates for Leadership Posts – Help Shape Your Profession
Qualified candidates are being sought for District Trustee positions on the AMS Board of Trustees. The Board consists of the major officers (i.e. president, secretary, treasurer, etc.) and District Trustees representing 10 geographic areas of the state. There are at least two District Trustees from each district with…
PA/APRN Interest Group Helps Focus AMS Advocacy
If your practice employs a physician assistant or advance practice registered nurse, consider having them join the AMS PA/APRN Interest Group. The goal of this group is to gain a better understanding of the relationship and interaction between physicians and their PA/APRN in order to focus AMS advocacy…
Workers’ Compensation Rule 30
The Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission is seeking a change to Rule 30 that would implement Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) and a Drug Formulary. A public hearing on the proposed rule change is scheduled for 10 a.m. on December 4 in Hearing Room "A" of the Workers' Compensation Building.…
Congratulations!
While AMS has many friends in the legislature, we wish a special congratulations to some of our closest friends for their recent re-election to serve in the 90th Arkansas General Assembly, convening January 12, 2015: State Senator Cecile Bledsoe (Rogers), State Representative Deborah Ferguson, DDS (West Memphis), State…
Beware of Phishing Calls
Calls are being made in NWA to medical offices asking for physician cell phone numbers on behalf of another physician, but the caller will not provide a call back number. Phishing calls have been made by male and female callers. The callers even go so far as to…
2015 Doctor of the Day
The Arkansas Medical Society will again sponsor the "Doctor of the Day" program for the 2015 session of the Arkansas legislature. The legislative session will convene on January 12, 2015, and continues for a minimum of 60 days, but the time can be extended by action of the…
Congressional Budget Office revises score for SGR repeal
On Nov. 14, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released revised scoring for repealing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The CBO reduced the 10-year score for repealing the SGR and replacing it with a long-term payment freeze to $118.9 billion. In August, CBO had scored this policy at $131…
10 Medicare payment policy revisions you need to know
Chances are you haven't been able to read through the nearly 1,200 pages that constitute the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule released Oct. 31 and published last Thursday in the Federal Register. We've pulled out the 10 top payment policy changes discussed in this mammoth document…
AMS Trustee Nominations Are Being Accepted
AMS District Trustee nominations will be accepted through February 1, 2015. District Trustees will be elected by AMS members in the respective districts, with voting taking place from February 16 – 27, 2015. Nominations will be accepted through the nomination form from any member (or group/organization) in the…
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…