AMS Welcomes 14 New Members
The physicians listed below have recently illustrated their commitment to improving health care in this community and our state by joining the Arkansas Medical Society. "As society members, these physicians are part of a statewide network of over 4,000 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting…
Dr. John Wilson Named UALR’s “2013 SpectacUALR Honoree”
Congratulations to long time AMS member, and past-president John L. Wilson, MD for being named the 2013 UALR SpectacULAR Honoree." Dr. Wilson spent 38 years at OrthoArkansas until his retirement in 2007. Two years ago, he missed treating patients and began working again at UAMS in orthopedic triage.…
Kids who undergo CT scans may face higher cancer risk later in life.
Article from the AMA Morning Rounds, 6-11-13 Research on the potential health risks of CT scans in children received moderate coverage in print and online, and on one of last night’s national news broadcasts. Although many sources portrayed the findings as alarming, they also pointed out that there…
House committee moves forward with plan to overhaul SGR
Article from the AMA Morning Rounds, 5/29/2013 A handful of beltway publications carry stories Wednesday on a new bill, out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which would permanently overhaul the oft-derided Medicare physician payment formula, known as the Sustainable Growth Rate or SGR. As the Washington…
ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY GOES HOME AFTER LONGEST SESSION SINCE THE DEPRESSION; HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAID HIGHLIGHT THE SESSION
Health Law Bulletin from the Mitchell, Blackstock, Ivers and Sneddon law firm “Private option” is Arkansas’ answer to federal health care reform. In the longest legislative session since the early 1930’s, the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation that will have an unprecedented impact on the Arkansas Medicaid program,…
Three New Laws With Immediate Impact
The 2013 meeting of the Arkansas Legislature will be remembered most for adopting the "private option," an innovative and game-changing alternative to expanding the Arkansas Medicaid program to persons making up to 138 percent of poverty. AMS played a major role in helping pass the private option, but…
Walgreens Policies
A number of weeks ago, AMS was advised by a number of physicians that Walgreens pharmacists were requesting ICD-9 codes, medical records and/or treatment plans before filling prescriptions for some medications. After further requests for information from our physicians, it became apparent that Walgreens had begun a new…
Webinars and Events Pertaining to Arkansas Payment Improvement Initiative Now Available
Arkansas Medicaid has announced upcoming webinars and events that will provide valuable information about several episodes of care that are ongoing or in the planning stages. The Payment Initiative website contains locations, dates and registration information. Be sure and check this website often to keep abreast of what…
HIPAA Changes to Come, Is Your Practice Ready?
AMS and SVMIC will host a half day seminar to bring your staff up to date on changes to the HIPAA law. The changes will take effect September 2013. The event is June 20, 2013, in North Little Rock at the Independent Insurance Agency Building. Registration information will…
Primary Care Physicians Need to Attest to Be Eligible for Enhanced Payment from Medicaid
AMS has learned that only a small number of Arkansas Primary Care Providers have completed the attestation for increased payments from Medicaid. Physicians have been asked to either attest to 60 percent billed codes are either E&M codes and/or vaccines or as being board certified in Family Medicine,…
AMS Announces New Officers for 2013-2014
On May 4, 2013, the AMS House of Delegates elected or re-elected members to the following positions: (denoted with an asterisk) Those without an asterisk are still serving their previously elected terms. OFFICERS President: Omar Atiq, MD, Pine Bluff* President-elect: Alan Wilson, MD, Crossett* Vice President: G. Edward…