AMA Launches First-Ever Physician App

The American Medical Association (AMA) today introduced its first-ever app designed specifically for a physician audience. Available for free through the iTunes store and compatible with the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, the app serves as an “on-the-go” reference guide that allows physicians to quickly determine the appropriate CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code to use in patient billing. It features decision-tree logic and quick-search options, enabling physicians to digitally track CPT codes and email them anywhere. Physicians can also save their most frequently used codes by location or type of service, furthering ease of use. Concurrent with the debut of the app, the AMA also launched the 2011 AMA App Challenge to find what it is billing as “the next great medical app idea”. . Open to all U.S. physicians, residents, and medical students, the 2011 AMA App Challenge calls on those on the front lines of medicine to submit their unique app idea for a chance to have the AMA bring it to life. Participants can submit their app ideas easily through an online form beginning today. Submissions will be accepted through June 30th, 2011. Two winners will be selected, one from the resident/fellow or medical student category and one from the physician category. The winners will each receive $2,500 in cash and prizes, plus a trip for two to New Orleans for the grand unveiling of their winning idea at the AMA’s meeting in November. "Quick access to accurate information physicians use daily was the goal behind creating the CPT app," notes AMA Board Secretary Steven J. Stack, MD. "We are eager to discover which other medical apps physicians, residents, and medical students would find useful through their App Challenge idea submissions.”