Physician-formed and physician-led since 1875, the Arkansas Medical Society is dedicated to improving healthcare in Arkansas and helping physicians focus on caring for their patients — serving as advocate, support system, and source for healthcare news and resources [citation:1].
The Arkansas Medical Society was formed in October 1875, when 225 Arkansas physicians came together with a shared purpose: to improve healthcare across the state [citation:3][citation:8]. In 2025, the Society celebrated 150 years of advocacy — a milestone recognized by both the Arkansas House of Representatives and the United States Congress [citation:3][citation:8].
AMS is dedicated to improving healthcare in Arkansas and helping physicians focus on caring for their patients. Whether a physician wants to be fully involved in the process or simply support the mission, the Society serves as advocate, support system, and source for healthcare news and resources [citation:1]. The organization was founded on the principle that by combining efforts, physicians become a powerful force for themselves and their patients [citation:1].
Over the decades, AMS has left an indelible mark on Arkansas public health. Its advocacy led to the creation of the state's first State Board of Health in 1879, the development of medical licensing laws in 1893 and 1903, the establishment of the Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanitarium in 1909, the creation of Arkansas Blue Cross in 1948, and sponsorship of the statewide polio vaccination program in 1958 [citation:3]. More recently, AMS helped develop Arkansas's statewide trauma system in 2009 and organized PPE distribution to clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic [citation:3][citation:8].
AMS membership is open to Arkansas physicians across all specialties and career stages. Dues are structured to support physicians at every point in their career, with waived fees for residents, fellows, and medical students [citation:13].
| Category | Annual Dues |
|---|---|
| First Year in Practice in Arkansas | $100 |
| Active Member | $400 |
| Retired Member | $200 |
| Associate or Affiliate Member | $200 |
| Resident or Fellow | Fee Waived |
| Medical Student | Fee Waived |
New Arkansas physicians may qualify for a 75% discount during their first year of practice, with dues prorated over the following two years — a savings of over $600 [citation:7]. Group membership is also available for clinics with 5+ physicians, offering streamlined renewal and additional benefits including quarterly conference calls with AMS executive staff, social media spotlight, and print advertising discounts.
Advocacy is at the core of everything AMS does [citation:1]. The Society's governmental affairs team represents physicians' interests at the state Capitol and in Washington, and members serve on various task forces, boards, commissions, and committees relative to healthcare issues [citation:1].
Key legislative victories that continue to benefit Arkansas physicians include:
Any Willing Provider (Patient Protection Act) — requires health plans to contract with any physician or hospital willing to accept the terms of the contract and meet credentialing requirements, preventing insurers from creating narrow networks for arbitrary reasons.
Prompt Payment & Recoupment — AMS led the charge for regulations requiring timely payment with interest penalties for late payments, and in 2005 worked to pass legislation limiting carriers to 18 months to recoup payments except in fraud cases.
Credentialing Reform — AMS worked to reduce credentialing timelines from 180 days to 90 days in 2009, then to 60 calendar days in 2015.
Economic Credentialing Protection — AMS and AMA intervened in lawsuits to prevent hospitals from removing physicians based on ownership interest in competing hospitals, with the Arkansas Supreme Court agreeing this interferes with the patient-physician relationship.
Other advocacy areas include limitations on prior authorization requirements, Medicaid expansion, telemedicine, POLST, physician dispensing, and treatment of chronic pain [citation:1].
AMS provides tools and resources to help individual physicians, clinic staff, and large groups improve the business side of medicine. Staff members assist with contract negotiations, billing, coding, insurance payer issues, personnel matters, and more [citation:1].
The Society offers educational programs including webinars, online CME, and the popular Annual Insurance Conference, designed to provide updates from major insurance payors on claim processing, coding, and administrative issues [citation:1].
Members receive the award-winning Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society, published quarterly with peer-reviewed manuscripts, case reports, and scientific articles relevant to Arkansas physicians [citation:1]. The AMS Chart Notes e-newsletter and online Membership Directory are also available to members [citation:1].
The AMS Annual Meeting brings together physicians, residents, medical students, and healthcare leaders from across the state for networking, education, and celebration [citation:9]. The 2026 Annual Membership Meeting was held April 11, 2026 at the Little Rock Marriott Downtown, featuring medical exhibits, poster presentations, and recognition of advocacy, academic excellence, and lifetime contributions to medicine in Arkansas [citation:15].
During the 2026 event, Dr. Naveen Patil was installed as the 2026–2027 AMS president, and Dr. Robert Arrington received the 2026 Asklepian Award for his contributions to pediatric and neonatal medicine [citation:9]. More than 180 poster abstracts were submitted, with approximately 70 presented across medical student, resident, and faculty categories [citation:4].
The 2027 Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 16–17, 2027 at Oaklawn Hot Springs Resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
AMS Benefits, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary offering physician-focused insurance coverage for physicians, their families, and their practices [citation:1]. State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company (SVMIC) is the exclusively endorsed provider of medical professional liability insurance by AMS, and one of the largest writers of such coverage in the state [citation:1].
Website: For membership, advocacy, education, or general inquiries, visit arkmed.org.