Hot Topics

Fort Worth Physician Sworn in as TMA's 148th President

Martha Francisco — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:53:08 GMT

Stephen L. Brotherton, MD, of Fort Worth, took office as the Texas Medical Association's (TMA's) 148th president Saturday during the associaton's annual meeting in San Antonio. TMA's House of Delegates, the association's policymaking body, elected Dr. Brotherton TMA president-elect last year.

CMS to Enforce Payment Transparency Law

Pat Overton — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:25:03 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will explain the provisions of the National Physician Payment Transparency Act, also known as the Open Payments Act or Sunshine Act, in a teleconference at 1:30 pm CDT on Wednesday, May 22. The act is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and requires manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologicals that participate in federal health care programs to annually report payments and items of value they give physicians and teaching hospitals.

Aetna Aexcel Ranking Letters Coming

Pat Overton — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:28:19 GMT

TMA's Payment Advocacy Department has learned Aetna will begin sending physicians letters informing them of their ranking in its Aexcel network in early June. The rankings take effect Jan. 1.

TMA Calculates Impact of Medicare Fee Cut

Shari Henson — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:41:29 GMT

Medicare payments to physicians dropped 2 percent on April 1 because of the federal budget sequester. TMA's Payment Advocacy Department analyzed the impact of the fee reduction and compiled a list of answers to questions you may have.

Start Preparing to Upgrade Your EHR

Andrea Cobb — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:11:27 GMT

Beginning in 2014, all physicians participating in the federal electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use incentive program must use a Stage two-certified EHR. This is true even for physicians attesting for Stage one meaningful use.

A Local Solution for ICD-10 Training

Pat Overton — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:50:48 GMT

Physicians and medical practice staff should work now to make sure employees, office technology, and internal operations are ready to make the switch to ICD-10 on Oct. 1, 2014. However, if you haven't started your preparations or don't know quite where to begin, you're not alone.

Use AT Modifier for Tetanus Shots

Shari Henson — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:58:07 GMT

Novitas Solutions says it won't pay Medicare claims for administering tetanus shots that do not have the modifier AT (acute treatment) appended to the code. The medical record must support the need for the service and the use of modifier AT.

You're Eligible for Exclusive Savings!

Pat Overton — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:00:36 GMT

I.C. System is celebrating its 75th year with a 20-percent special anniversary discount for TMA members! Call 800-279-3511 or visit I.C. System online for more information on its collection services.

TMA Urges Bold Medicaid Fee Hike

Pat Overton — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:53:54 GMT

Legislators should take "bold action to fix a major problem" in the Medicaid program and "increase Medicaid payments to Medicare parity for all physicians and services," Texas Medical Association President Michael E. Speer, MD, urged in a letter to House and Senate members writing the 2014-15 state budget.

CMS Delays Plan to Deny Non-Enrollees' Medicare Claims

Shari Henson — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:18:22 GMT

Technical issues have delayed plans by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to begin denying claims for services ordered or referred by a physician who is not enrolled in Medicare. The denials were scheduled for May 1. CMS did not elaborate on the technical issues or set a new deadline.

Senators Want HITECH Act Reviewed

Shari Henson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:59:21 GMT

Six Republican senators voiced "significant concerns" with the government's implementation of the HITECH Act and meaningful use program in a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The letter says their concerns include "the lack of data to support the Administration's assertions that this taxpayer investment is being appropriately spent and actually achieving the goal of interoperable health IT."

TMA Offers EHR Interoperability Tips

Andrea Cobb — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:10:25 GMT

When federal officials asked for comments on how to make electronic health records (EHRs) work together, TMA offered some suggestions.

Medicaid Fee Hike Requires Eligibility Confirmation

Andrea Cobb — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:27:50 GMT

Primary care physicians who treat Medicaid patients will receive fee increases for 2013 and 2014 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but only if they sign an attestation form confirming they're eligible for the raise, state officials say.

TexMed 2013: Remember the Patient

Shari Henson — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:16:44 GMT

With the increasing complexities of modern technology, coupled with the spiraling labyrinth of rules and regulations, physicians can find themselves scattered to the edge of distraction. TMA is working to help physicians remain focused on the mission of medicine – the patient.

First Repair for Broken Medicaid System? Better Payment

Pat Overton — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:00:14 GMT

Texas physicians are still being asked to lose money every time we care for a Medicaid patient. This forces most of us to limit the number of Medicaid patients we can see. That, in turn, makes it very difficult for a Medicaid patient to find a physician. The most recent TMA survey found that only 31 percent of Texas physicians accept all new Medicaid patients. That number has plummeted from almost 67 percent since the turn of the century. So, before the state and federal government expand the populations eligible for Medicaid, patient care rates need to be raised to cover the real cost of care.

Fiery Water Skis? There's an ICD-10 Code for That!

Shari Henson — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:16:02 GMT

Over the course of your career, you've undoubtedly treated countless patients suffering from burns caused by their water skis catching fire. In the past, these all-too-frequent tragedies were complicated even more by the shortcomings of an outdated and ambiguous coding standard. No longer! You'll be happy to know the new ICD-10 coding system scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2014, will have an ICD-10 code for that.

State May Raise Payments to Medicaid HMOs

Pat Overton — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:07:10 GMT

Texas Medical Association President Michael E. Speer, MD, says that any new money going to Medicaid HMOs should go to patient care.

Novitas ADR Letters: A Mailing Delay

Pat Overton — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:54:39 GMT

For Additional Documentation Request (ADR) letters from Novitas Solutions dated April 1 to April 12, 2013, you have 30 days from the date you receive the letter to respond to the request.

CMS Call to Cover ICD-10 Transition

Pat Overton — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:55:49 GMT

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials will give you information on preparing for the Oct. 1, 2014, switch to the ICD-10 coding system in a nationwide conference call for physicians and staff on Thursday, April 18. The 90-minute call begins at 12:30 pm CDT.

E-Prescribe by June 30 to Avoid 2014 Penalties

Pat Overton — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:14:26 GMT

To avoid penalties in 2014 (2 percent of Medicare Part B claims), Medicare physicians must report e-prescribing using G-code G8553 via claims on at least 10 unique Medicare encounters by June 30.

TMA Membership Earns Dell Deals

Shari Henson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:20:33 GMT

TMA members can count on a best price guarantee at Dell.com. Visit www.Dell.com/mpp/texmed to browse Dell's latest technology with special member discounts of up to 30 percent.

TMA Helps Improve Quality, Avoid Penalties

Andrea Cobb — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:36:22 GMT

PQRS is switching from the carrot to the stick.

Perry Draws Line on Medicaid Expansion

Pat Overton — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:37:50 GMT

In a March letter to the Texas congressional delegation, Gov. Rick Perry set strict parameters for any possible expansion of the Texas Medicaid program using billions of dollars available under the federal health reform law, saying he would support a plan that includes "increased flexibility" for Texas to develop a state-specific plan.

IRS Owes Some of You Money

Shari Henson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:58:07 GMT

TMA has learned that if you were in residency or fellowship training between Jan. 1, 1995, and March 31, 2005, you may qualify for a refund of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes collected on your stipend during that time.

Meaningful Use Audits Start

Pat Overton — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:29:31 GMT

Meaningful use audits are under way in Texas, and TMA is receiving calls from members seeking assistance. Figliozzi and Company is the designated contractor performing the audits on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Written Compliance Plan Is a Must

Shari Henson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:11:22 GMT

Physicians must have a plan to comply with regulations for federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. It's no longer acceptable to only have a compliance strategy; each practice must have a written plan that addresses key compliance issues such as proper coding, medical necessity, and appropriate documentation.

Doom No More

Shari Henson — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:53:07 GMT

TMA's "Calendar of Doom" is now "Deadlines for Doctors: Do This Now."

Did You Know…? Benefits of Your TMA Membership

Shari Henson — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:52:31 GMT

One of your TMA member benefits is access to exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services.

Medicare Sequester Fee Cut Begins April 1

Shari Henson — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:01:19 GMT

Medicare will cut physician payments for fee-for-service claims with dates of service on or after April 1 by 2 percent, thanks to the failure of Congress and President Obama to avoid across-the-board federal spending reductions required by the federal budget sequestration that took effect March 1.

EHR Incentive Payments Are Taxable Income

Andrea Cobb — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:53:53 GMT

Incentives paid under the Medicare electronic health record (EHR) incentive program are taxable, the Internal Revenue Service ruled in February.

Poster Session on Quality at TexMed

Shari Henson — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:56:13 GMT

TMA's first Quality Poster Session will take place at TexMed 2013 in San Antonio. Physicians will have the chance to share their successes and breakthroughs in improving patient care with their peers from around the state.

LSMS Surveys EHR Adoption

Andrea Cobb — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:57:16 GMT

The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) is asking Texas physicians to take part in a nationwide survey on physicians' adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). The survey expands on a statewide study the medical society conducted in 2011.

Compliance Must Be Part of Your Practice

Andrea Cobb — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:50:45 GMT

Since 2012, federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, require physicians to establish a compliance plan that can effectively detect "criminal, civil, and administrative violations." That means you must have a process that addresses key compliance issues such as proper coding, medical necessity, and appropriate documentation.

Physicians Call for End to Sneaky “Silent PPOs”

Pat Overton — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:15:15 GMT

Silent PPO activity is evident when an insurer or third-party payer accesses a physician’s contract rate using a secondary or “rental” network. Often such networks do not have a valid contractual relationship with the physician.

TMA Letter: Data Collections Cost Time and Money

Pat Overton — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:02:22 GMT

The state’s exhaustive billing-code data collection programs pull valuable hospital and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) employee resources within those reporting facilities away from collecting useful data that actually provides valuable information about safety and quality, such as those implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).

TMA Takes on Budget, Medicaid, Scope, End of Life

Pat Overton — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:13:40 GMT

The 2013 Texas Legislature kicked off Jan. 8 with a rosier budget picture than last session, which could be good news for TMA's goals of restoring many of the harsh cuts enacted in 2011. Fewer bills filed so far this session also could mean more air time for health care issues.

Congress Takes Up Medicine's Plea on SGR, IPAB

Pat Overton — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:58:01 GMT

TMA officials are optimistic about proposals to reform Medicare's physician payment system this year, a top goal for the association's federal legislative agenda.

Novitas Mails Medicare Revalidation Letters

Shari Henson — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:25:57 GMT

On March 1, Novitas, the Texas Medicare claims processor, began sending physicians in the Medicare program letters asking them to revalidate their enrollment information. Physicians not on the March 1 mailing list will receive their letters either March 15 or March 29.

Feds Reject Request to Delay ICD-10

Shari Henson — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:53:06 GMT

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials rejected organized medicine's request to delay implementation of the ICD-10 coding system. That means the new coding system will take effect Oct. 1, 2014.

Watch for E-Prescribing Overpayments

Shari Henson — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:22:51 GMT

Texas Medicare contractor Novitas Solutions has identified a problem with files the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides that are supposed to show physicians who did not meet CMS requirements for e-prescribing. The files are not showing this information, and physicians are not being penalized 1 percent as required by the e-prescribing rules. Thus, they are being overpaid, and CMS will want the money back.

DSHS Revises Umbilical Cord Blood Brochure

Shari Henson — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:24:14 GMT

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has issued a new version of the umbilical cord blood brochure that physicians must give prenatal patients. TMA's Maternal and Perinatal Health and Blood and Tissue Usage committees worked extensively with DSHS on edits to the brochure to make the information more relevant and easier for patients to understand.

AMA: U.S. House Addressing Medicare Payment Reform

Pat Overton — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:54:59 GMT

In recent weeks, proposals have been unveiled on Capitol Hill that would eliminate Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Generally, these proposals reflect many of the principles that the American Medical Association, state medical societies, and national specialty societies shared with Congress this past October. The fact that the committees began this process so early in the year and CBO’s recently lowered estimated cost for repealing SGR by more than $100 billion (to $138 billion) also are very positive signs.

TMA: Expand Coverage and Reform Medicaid

Pat Overton — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:59:18 GMT

Political leaders in Washington and Austin must immediately develop a bipartisan solution to reform the state's Medicaid program and expand its coverage of poor, childless adults, the Texas Medical Association Board of Trustees says in a resolution the board adopted at its meeting Feb. 1 during the TMA Winter Conference.

TMA Wants HIT Safety Czar

Pat Overton — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:15:42 GMT

Federal officials should appoint a "highly visible HIT Safety Czar" to help protect patients from adverse events caused by electronic health record (EHR) systems functioning improperly, TMA says in a letter to the director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

TMA Offers New Member Benefits

Shari Henson — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:34:16 GMT

Your TMA membership gives you access to exclusive discounts on a variety of products and services. Don't miss out on the latest member benefits.

Emergency Continues- Physicians to Legislators: Help!

Pam Udall — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:40:57 GMT

Physicians from the border and across the state will join legislators in a news conference to urge Texas leaders to solve the “medical emergency” plaguing patients and physicians by fully rescinding budget cuts that threaten health care for hundreds of thousands of “dual-eligible” Texans. For more than a year now, dual-eligible patients’ health care funding has been cut.

Physicians Support Deuell Bill to Help Patients in Their Final Days

Pat Overton — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:07:12 GMT

Physicians Support Deuell Bill to Help Patients in Their Final Days (SB 303)

2013 Medicare Participation Deadline Extended

Pat Overton — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:09:16 GMT

Physicians now have until Feb. 15 to decide whether to participate in the Medicare program this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Jan. 3. The announcement follows Congress' New Year's Day decision to freeze Medicare payments to physicians through Dec. 31 as part of the legislation to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." Physician payments were scheduled to plummet almost 30 percent.

ICD-10: What Should I Do Now?

Shari Henson — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:37:13 GMT

Although ICD-10 implementation doesn't kick in until Oct. 1, 2014, you can take steps now to help minimize your stress level in the months leading up to it. Time is on your side, but you must begin preparations to transition your practice soon.

TMLT Adds $30 Million to Trust Rewards

Shari Henson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:19:59 GMT

The Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) Board of Governors dedicated $30 million to the Trust Rewards Program for 2013, raising the program's total to $130 million. TMLT says this is its way of rewarding policyholders for their loyalty.

TMA Outreach Events Promote Health

Shari Henson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:18:30 GMT

If "giving back" made your list of New Year resolutions, TMA's outreach programs – Hard Hats for Little Heads bicycle helmet giveaway program and Be Wise — Immunize – are a perfect fit. Help your community stay healthier by offering free or low-cost vaccinations or free helmets in 2013.

Meaningful Use and Clinical Summaries

Shari Henson — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:11:04 GMT

One of the most difficult meaningful use measures that practices must meet is the one requiring them to give patients a clinical summary for each office visit more than 50 percent of the time.

Need a New White Coat?

Shari Henson — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:27:44 GMT

TMA has partnered with SmartScrubs to offer TMA members a custom website uniform store and exclusive offers on S.C.R.U.B.S. brand apparel.

Medicare Payments Frozen for Another Year

Pat Overton — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:49:35 GMT

One day after the official deadline, the U.S. Congress yesterday stepped away from the so-called "fiscal cliff" and slapped another one-year patch on physicians' Medicare payments.

Dual-Eligibles Cut Partially Reversed

Pat Overton — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:22:18 GMT

After months of TMA-organized rallies, lobbying, and meetings, the Legislative Budget Board directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to restore part of the cut in payments for patients covered by both Medicare and Medicaid.

State Delays Medicaid Fee Increase

Shari Henson — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:06:31 GMT

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission postponed the Medicaid primary care physician payment increase authorized under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law requires states to increase Medicaid payments to Medicare parity for primary care services provided by pediatricians, family physicians, and general internists from Jan. 1, 2013, to Dec. 31, 2014. The federal government will pay the higher costs.

ICD-10 Nightmare Coming, TMA, AMA Warn

Shari Henson — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:48:06 GMT

Forcing physicians to begin using the ICD-10 coding system in 2014 will create a financial and administrative nightmare for them, warn TMA, the American Medical Association, and other state medical societies in a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They called on CMS to stop the switch and work with all interested parties to find a better replacement for the ICD-9 coding system.

Tied Up in Red Tape?

Pat Overton — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:53:42 GMT

TMA wants to hear from you as part of its red-tape reduction effort in the 2013 session of the Texas Legislature. What administrative hassles do you face? Where does the red tape need to be cut and how?

Aetna Deal Creates Physician Payment Funds

Shari Henson — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:31:30 GMT

Aetna has agreed to pay physicians and patients $120 million because it used databases that deflated rates for out-of-network services.

New Medicaid Fraud Rules Will Bully Doctors’ Offices

Pat Overton — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:04:57 GMT

Physicians fear new rules adopted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) could threaten innocent practices and cut off access to care for thousands of Texas Medicaid patients.

TMA Attacks TDI Network Adequacy Proposal

Shari Henson — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:49:15 GMT

The Texas Department of Insurance's (TDI's) proposed rules governing the adequacy of physician networks in insurance plans are bizarre, misguided, "extremely poor public policy," unacceptable, inappropriate, feeble, confounding, insurer-friendly, and unsupportable, TMA President Michael Speer, MD, wrote to TDI earlier this month.

Legislative News Delivered to Your Inbox

Shari Henson — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:08:56 GMT

Don't miss the action under the Capitol dome in this year's legislative session. Sign up for the TMA Legislative News Hotline.

Update Your Staff's HIPAA Training

Alison Crews — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:22:22 GMT

A new state law that took effect in September has more stringent regulations for protected health information (PHI) than its federal counterparts, HIPAA and the HITECH Act. Among other things, it has new requirements for notices to patients regarding electronic disclosure of PHI. And practices that wrongfully disclose a patient's PHI face increased civil penalties.

Blues Ranking Letters on the Way

Shari Henson — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:41:34 GMT

Beginning mid-February, physicians may begin checking their mailboxes for letters from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) containing doctors' latest ratings in the plan's BlueCompare quality and cost-efficiency assessment program. BCBSTX says it will publish those ratings, displayed as ribbons, in its web-based "Provider Finder" tool as of June 1.

E-Tips Helps Your Practice Run Right

Shari Henson — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:47:52 GMT

TMA publishes TMA Practice E-Tips, a popular free e-newsletter twice a month to offer four brief, practical tips for managing a medical practice in Texas. Each issue gives you hands-on, use-it-now advice on coding, billing, payment, HIPAA compliance, office policies and procedures, practice marketing, and much more, along with useful links for more information.

Meaningful Use Means No eRx Penalty

Steve Levine — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:20:03 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' 2013 physician fee schedule final rule says physicians who achieve meaningful use between Jan. 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, and who attest to meaningful use by Jan. 31, 2013, will not suffer the 1.5-percent Medicare e-prescribing penalty on Jan. 1.

Ask DPS Now for Your New Permit

Pat Overton — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 23:00:26 GMT

If you're one of the 12,000 physicians whose state permit to prescribe controlled substances expires at the end of January, you'd better submit your renewal application now.

Submit Immunization Data Electronically

Pat Overton — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:42:22 GMT

Physicians can now use their electronic health record to submit adult and pediatric immunization data to ImmTrac, Texas' immunization registry operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

EHR or Not?

Pat Overton — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:31:58 GMT

The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) wants to know why physicians don't incorporate electronic health records (EHRs) in their practices. LSMS is conducting a nationwide survey of physicians' adoption of EHRs. The society received a Physicians Foundation grant to expand on a previous statewide study.

TMA Opposes New Chiropractic Board Rules

Pat Overton — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:19:59 GMT

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) is at it again. The board has lost numerous court battles with physicians over its attempts to expand chiropractors' scope of practice by passing a rule. This time, TBCE proposed a new definition of biomechanics, one of the keys to that profession's statutorily prescribed scope.

Women's Health Program Gag Rule Defeated

Pat Overton — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:13:24 GMT

Responding to strong opposition from TMA and state specialty societies, Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek, MD, pulled the gag clause from rules governing the state's redesigned Women's Health Program.

EHR Surveys Available to All Physicians

Pat Overton — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:12:40 GMT

The American Medical Association and AmericanEHR Partners are teaming up to survey physicians using or planning to use an electronic health record (EHR). The survey results will help populate a growing database of EHR system rankings. In addition, the Louisiana State Medical Society is surveying physicians' use of EHRs.

Patients Like Their Doctors

Shari Henson — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:53:36 GMT

Americans are very happy with their primary care physicians, according to a new national survey conducted by The Physicians Foundation.

Organized Medicine Seeks Medicare Reform

Shari Henson — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:54:17 GMT

TMA joined the American Medical Association and 108 other state and specialty medical societies in urging Congress to not just repeal the flawed Medicare payment formula, but to replace it with a system grounded in a set of core principles essential to creating a "high-performing" Medicare program.

CME the Easy Way

Pat Overton — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:10:37 GMT

TMA has taken physician continuing medical education (CME) to the next level through the TMA Education Center. You can now access and complete CME and have your earned credits applied to your transcript instantly, thanks in part to TMA's collaboration with technology partner InReach.

Tell Us Your Problems

Pat Overton — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:15:02 GMT

TMA is collaborating with the American Medical Association and several other state and specialty medical societies to address problems physician practices may have with benefit and disease management companies. We need your input to help with our advocacy efforts.

Despite Hurdles, Texas Physicians Implement EHRs

Brent Annear — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:17:13 GMT

More TMA physicians use electronic tools to help them practice medicine than ever before, according to a preliminary TMA survey.

Survey Gauges Physician Dissatisfaction

Shari Henson — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:05:16 GMT

Physicians are working fewer hours, seeing fewer patients, and limiting access to their practices in light of significant changes to the medical practice environment, according to a comprehensive new survey of practicing physicians by The Physicians Foundation.

AMA: Stop Medicare RAC Audits

Shari Henson — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:04:44 GMT

Government audits of physicians' Medicare evaluation and management coding "will undoubtedly lead to erroneous recoupments and lengthy, expensive appeals" for both doctors and the government, the American Medical Association contends in a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.

How to Be on the Feds’ Flu Finder

Pat Overton — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 22:31:21 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created an online tool, the Flu Vaccine Finder, to help patients find where to get a flu shot.

Chiropractic Neurology Rules Scrapped

Shari Henson — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:19:05 GMT

TMA's ongoing patient safety efforts paid off again Aug. 16 when the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners voted against adopting rules to recognize a specialty it called "chiropractic neurology" after hearing opposition from organized medicine and legislators.

DPS Tracks Drug Shoppers

Pat Overton — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:08:14 GMT

Physicians can check patients' controlled substance prescription history through the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS') new secure online Prescription Access in Texas database. The program – designed to reduce patients' prescription drug abuse – allows physicians and police to go online to see what controlled substances a patient has been prescribed in the past year.

CMS Audits Meaningful Use

Shari Henson — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:48:10 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is auditing physicians and other health care professionals who receive meaningful use incentive payments. CMS is required to audit those attesting to meaningful use, but until this point, the agency has only posted general information about the audits.

MD Consult Educates Patients

Shari Henson — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:06:44 GMT

MD Consult can make patient education easy! In addition to clinical textbooks and journals, MD Consult has more than 15,000 patient education handouts that you can print and distribute to your patients. Most are written at a grade 6-8 reading level, and Spanish versions are available for 75 percent of the topics. These handouts are easily customizable, allowing you to include care instructions and contact information.

Bill Would Stop Medicare Cuts

Shari Henson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:10:16 GMT

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-Texas), filed legislation to extend Medicare physician payment rates for one year. He said HR 6142, the Assuring Medicare Stability and Access for Seniors Act of 2012, would ensure continued access for Medicare beneficiaries and TRICARE recipients.

TMA: No Chiropractic Neurology

Pat Overton — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:41:51 GMT

A state chiropractic board proposal to recognize a specialty it calls "chiropractic neurology" could deceive and harm patients, TMA warns in a letter to the board.

Attest Meaningful Use Annually

Andrea Cobb — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:46:41 GMT

Physicians participating in the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program must attest every year of the five-year program to continue receiving meaningful use incentive payments. Attestation is the process by which a physician proves to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that he or she meaningfully uses an EHR.

TMA, AMA Explain Insurer Data

Pat Overton — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 22:19:59 GMT

TMA is among more than 60 organizations supporting an American Medical Association effort to help physicians better use health insurer-provided data reports as tools to enhance the quality and value of patient care.

Perry Rejects PPACA Mandates

Shari Henson — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:53:18 GMT

Railing against "brazen intrusions into the sovereignty of our state," Gov. Rick Perry told federal officials he opposes expanding Medicaid in Texas or creating health insurance exchanges, two key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Medicare Fees Reward Some, Punish Others

Shari Henson — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:50:19 GMT

Total Medicare payments to family physicians could increase 7 percent and fees for other physicians providing primary care could rise 3 to 5 percent, due mostly to a proposal to create new payment codes for outpatient discharge care management. Payments to some specialists would decrease in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') proposed 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. However, unless Congress intervenes again, CMS will slash overall Medicare payments 27 percent next year because of the Sustainable Growth Rate formula.

Drop in Physician Acceptance of Medicaid, Medicare Patients

Brent Annear — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:14:46 GMT

More physicians are forced to reduce the number of patients they see who depend on government insurance for their health care.

TMA: Reduce Health Law Red Tape

Pat Overton — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 19:10:30 GMT

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Congress and the Obama administration must find a way to reduce the law's overbearing bureaucracy, said Texas Medical Association President Michael E. Speer, MD.

Report: Don’t Skimp on EHR Training

Pat Overton — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:29:00 GMT

Some 60 percent of Texas physicians now use an electronic health record (EHR), according to TMA's latest survey data. However, dissatisfaction and discontent persist among some physician users of EHRs.

TMA's Healthy Vision of the Future

Shari Henson — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:41:49 GMT

TMA outlines its strategic roadmap for state and federal advocacy initiatives for the remainder of the decade in Healthy Vision 2020, a comprehensive plan for improving health care and maintaining the viability of physician practices in Texas.

TMA to Congress: No Sneak Torts

Pat Overton — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:26:52 GMT

The Texas Medical Association, the Texas Medical Liability Trust, and other liability insurers are asking Congress to make sure the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act does not create new theories of liability or alter the rules governing medical professional liability lawsuits.

TMA Staff Averts Medicaid Claims Nightmare

Shari Henson — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:05:19 GMT

When the claims clearinghouse Availity inadvertently cut its connection to the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership last month, more than 30,000 claims totaling $23 million filed by physicians and other health care professionals in just four days were in danger of disappearing. And, the number of claims was increasing by the hour.

TMA, TPS Back Woman in Lactation Dispute

Pat Overton — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 22:29:12 GMT

A Houston federal judge was wrong when he ruled against a woman who says her employer fired her because she wanted to pump breast milk, TMA and the Texas Pediatric Society (TPS) contend in a brief filed with the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. They urge the appeals court to overturn an opinion by U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes that childbirth ends pregnancy-related medical conditions and that Title VII of federal law does not protect women from being discriminated against or fired for lactation and breast pumping.

U.S. Physician Compensation Among Lowest

Shari Henson — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:12:24 GMT

The United States may have a reputation for having one of the most expensive health care systems in the world, but it apparently is not because of physician payments.

CMS Plans Temporary Medicaid Fee Hike

Andrea Cobb — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:44:38 GMT

Texas primary care physicians would receive a temporary fee increase in 2013-14 for treating Medicaid patients if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopts a rule it proposed May 9. The proposal would make $11 billion available to states to increase Medicaid primary care reimbursement under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

TMA Wants ICD-10 Canned

Shari Henson — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:30:32 GMT

TMA is glad the federal government postponed adoption of the ICD-10 coding system until 2014 but believes it should completely scrap ICD-10 for a more up-to-date coding system. If officials don't do that, then they should delay ICD-10 even longer. That was the message TMA delivered in a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on May 11.

TMA: Women Have Right to Know the Facts

Pat Overton — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:55:51 GMT

The Woman's Right to Know booklet that Texas law requires physicians to give to all patients considering an elective abortion is factually inaccurate and not science-based, the chair of TMA's Maternal and Perinatal Health Committee wrote to state public health officials.

Appeal Your Rankings: TMA Tells You How

Shari Henson — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:55:23 GMT

If a health plan rates you for one of its physician ranking or tiering programs based on cost or quality of care, you don't have to take the results lying down. But you do need to act within 30 days of receiving your preliminary ranking results from the health plan.

HHSC Tools Aid EHR Participation

Shari Henson — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:23:34 GMT

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has two computer-based learning tools to help physicians and hospitals participate in the Texas Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The tools are interactive and self-guided with voice or closed-captioned narration.

TMLT Enhances Medefense Coverage

Andrea Cobb — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:03:58 GMT

All Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) policies covering individual physicians include the Medefense Endorsement, which provides reimbursement for legal and tax audit expenses for disciplinary proceedings.

Judge Upholds Prop 12 Tort Reform Caps

Shari Henson — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:11:15 GMT

Caps on pain and suffering awards in health care lawsuits – part of the landmark 2003 tort reform law TMA and its allies pushed through the legislature – are constitutional, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap ruled in March. He denied claims by 10 plaintiffs who contended the caps on noneconomic damages violated the U.S. Constitution. He also dismissed claims that a cap on damages unconstitutionally takes private property and that it bars access to the courts.

Medicine Warns of Brewing Regulatory Storm

Pat Overton — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:57:32 GMT

Physicians face an "imminent storm" of mass confusion caused by overlapping regulatory mandates and reporting requirements from multiple federal programs unless federal officials do something to prevent it, TMA and other state and national medical societies warn in a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Director Marilyn Tavenner.

HIT Tools and Resources at Your Fingertips

Andrea Cobb — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:24:56 GMT

TMA works diligently to give you the tools you need to tackle the challenges of technology. Whether you need help selecting an electronic health record (EHR) or understanding the EHR incentive program or information on e-prescribing, TMA has the resources. You can find links to all of these tools on the Technology page of the TMA website.

TMLT Builds Nest Egg for Physicians

Pat Overton — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:22:30 GMT

The Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) offers a new benefit that sets up a "nest egg" for its 15,000 enrolled policyholders – the Trust Rewards Program. Each year that physicians renew their policy with TMLT, funds will be set aside in their Trust Rewards account. The funds will be distributed to enrolled physicians when they retire or when other qualifying events occur.

Get CME Easier From TMA Education Center

Shari Henson — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:58:25 GMT

Something good is now even better. TMA's practice management, cancer, and physician health courses are now easier than ever for you to find online. The TMA Education Center offers convenient, one-stop access to the continuing medical education (CME) Texas physicians need.

Proposition 12 Produces Healthy Benefits

Steve Levine — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:27:24 GMT

Proposition 12 continues to produces healthy benefits. Improving access to medical care is critically important to all Texans. This is especially true for children, pregnant women, the aged, the poor, those in an emergent condition and those in rural Texas. Charity care has greatly increased since the passage of the 2003 reforms.

TMA Offers New Policies & Procedures Guide

Brittni Buxton — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:35:45 GMT

TMA's Policies & Procedures – A Guide for Medical Practices contains more than 200 up-to-date policies and procedures, tools, sample letters, and forms you can customize for your office. TMA's practical and easy-to-use guide is specific to Texas medical practices and Texas law.

Find It, Fix It, Keep It: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Steve Levine — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:41:37 GMT

Affordable Care Act: Find What’s Missing. Keep What Works. Fix What’s Broken.