Jurisdiction H Transition to New Medicare Fiscal Intermediary
As of August 13,2012, Pinnacle Business Solutions, Inc. is no longer handling the processing of Arkansas Medicare claims. The new Medicare Administrative Contactor is Novitas Solutions, Inc. AMS has been in contact with several office administrators across the state and has found that the transitions appear to have gone…
CPCI Clinics Selected for Participation
Applications for the Coordinated Primary Care Initiative (CPCI) have been processed and the physicians that have been selected for the pilot project were announced August 22, 2012. Arkansas was among the seven geographical areas targeted for participation. Primary Care Physicians were asked to go through an application process…
Possible Measles Cases in Northwest Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has been notified of 3 siblings (ages 10,14 and 17 years) with presumptive measles. One of the three siblings recently returned from travel to Romania, Italy and Switzerland and developed symptoms consistent with measles shortly after returning to Arkansas on August 9th.…
The AMS Welcomes 40 New Members
The following physicians have recently illustrated their commitment to improving health care in this community and our state by joining the Arkansas Medical Society. "As a society members, these physicians are part of a statewide network of over 4,000 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting the interests…
Arkansas Physicians Support Medicaid Expansion
August 16, 2012 - Little Rock - Citing the tremendous health care needs of Arkansas poorest citizens, the statewide association for Arkansas physicians on Wednesday voted to support Medicaid expansion. On Wednesday, the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Medical Society adopted a motion to support Medicaid expansion in…
AMS Member Authors “Amazing Nature” Column
Dr. Michale Pafford, an internist from Benton, recently authored a column in the Benton County Courier. His work about the "Arkansas Sabertooth" which was published in the Sunday, August 12 edition of the paper, can be found below. Mysterious cave in the Buffalo National River Forest intrigues…
Important Drug Warning from Amylin
An important FDA-approved Drug Alert for Bydureon affecting Family/General Practice, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants was published on August 1, 2012. This PDR® Drug Alert was delivered electronically to all Arkansas Medical Society members within these specialties who are registered with PDR® Network. To ensure…
Important Drug Warning Recently Issued
An important FDA-approved Drug Alert for BRILINTA (ticagrelor) affecting Interventional Cardiologists, Clinical Cardiologists, Emergency Medicine Physicians, Internal Medicine Physicians and Primary Care Physicians was published on July 19, 2012. This PDR® Drug Alert was delivered electronically to all Arkansas Medical Society members within these specialties who are registered…
Medicaid Set to Mail “Sample” Reports
Initial Set of Episodes: Acute Upper Respiratory Infections, ADHD, and Pregnancy Episodes Within the next couple of days, physicians and other providers who have been identified as principal accountable providers (PAP) for the first set of episodes will begin receiving reports on their cost of care for 2011. …
Medicaid Implements “Preventable Condition” Rule
Effective July 1, 2012, Arkansas Medicaid will be implementing 42 CFR 477.26 (c)(1); which requires that all state Medicaid plans prohibit payment for "provider-preventable conditions." The umbrella term "provider-preventable conditions" (PPCs) includes two separate categories: "healthcare-acquired conditions" (HCACs) and "other provider-preventable condition" (OPPC). HCACs apply to Medicaid inpatient…
CPCI Application Period Open Now
Primary care practices considering applying for the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative pilot program have until July 20 to submit applications. AMS has learned that currently there are approximately 84 clinics that have begun the process of application. The first step for interested practices is to complete the short…