Standing Up for Texas Doctors

First Tuesday Feb 2013
TMA Scores Long-sought Wins for Physicians and PatientsTMA has long beat the drum for bolstering graduate medical education, cutting red tape that hinders patient care, promoting transparent insurance markets, and preventing unqualified health professionals from delivering care outside their expertise. This was the year those and other messages got through to lawmakers and paid off in long-sought, even precedent-setting victories at the conclusion of the 2013 Texas Legislature.
Physicians testifying
Alternative to Scope Fight is Almost LawTMA reached a landmark agreement with advance practice nurses and physician assistants on legislation to improve patients' access to care through an improved delegated-model for team-based health care. The bill helps establish a more flexible and collaborative practice model that improves on current site-based restrictions.. (From May's Texas Medicine.) membersonlyred(2) 
Dr. Shah
Texas Needs Health Care Solution for Working Poor"For both economic and human reasons, Texas must find a way to improve Medicaid while simultaneously expanding coverage to low-income Texans. Yet, we know from our experience building the Children’s Health Insurance Program that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Texas physicians strongly support a homegrown solution," TMA Trustee Doug Curran, MD, tells a State House committee.
Dr. Tom Garcia radio interview
Healthy Vision 2020TMA Board of Trustees releases strategic roadmap for TMA's state and federal advocacy initiatives for the remainer of the decade. What do you think? Are these your priorities?

Practice Help Timely Topic: ICD-10

Doctors conferring
ICD-10 Transition TimelineAre you ready for ICD-10? Click through the green tabs above to see how TMA can help.

The Clock Is Ticking: this article in Texas Medicine magazine outlines nine critical steps in the ICD-10 transition that will take at least 22 months to complete, so medical practice staff should be working now to ensure that employees, office technology, and internal operations are ready to make the switch on Oct. 1, 2014.
Doctor Thinking
The TMA Education Center Has the ICD-10 Resources You NeedFrom webinars to get you started on the right track, to in-depth seminars across the state, TMA has many ICD-10 educational opportunities available for you to take advantage of as soon as possible. Save time and money in the long run by learning about the processes and pitfalls before beginning your transition planning.
Doctor and iPad
From the Latest Transition Tools to the Best in Personal Coding HelpTMA is striving to ease the burden of transitioning to ICD-10. Be sure to explore the many tools and resources that are available to you as you begin ICD-10 preparations, and check back often. More resources covering various aspects of ICD-10 will be added as the Oct. 1, 2014 transition date approaches. Look for the Tools and Resources section in TMA’s ICD-10 Resource Center.
Back office in scrubs
TMA is Your Source for ICD-10 News and UpdatesView Q&A videos, read news and articles from Texas and beyond, and learn about the latest in ICD-10. Look for the News section in TMA’s ICD-10 Resource Center.

The Information Texas Doctors Need

What's Hot

  • Starting in Medical Practice

    New from TMA! Starting a practice is not just about practicing medicine. It's about the business of medicine. TMA's newest practice management publication will walk you through the process of starting your own practice, whether in a solo setting or in a group. READ MORE

  • Deadlines for Doctors

    Between keeping pace with caring for patients, insurance company demands, government regulations, and the latest medical technology, there are never enough hours in a day. That's why TMA developed Deadlines for Doctors, a web-based regulatory compliance tool giving you and your staff a big-picture view of upcoming state and federal compliance timelines and key health policy issues that impact Texas physicians. Review background information, regulations, penalties and incentives, and suggested steps to help you meet the compliance date. READ MORE

  • In the Spotlight

     Dr. Butler Honored 

    Ernest C. Butler, MD, of Austin, received TMA's highest physician honor for his contributions to the medical community and to the community at large. He is the winner of TMA's 2013 Distinguished Service Award.

    READ MORE

Education & Events

  • ICD 10 Now! How and Why

    Statewide - Through June 14 

    This three-hour workshop offers a detailed look at everything physicians need to know and do to prepare for ICD-10. CME ethics credit. TMLT discount.