Where the Action Is

Where the Action Is
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2013 TMA Legislative Agenda
As lawmakers reconvene in Austin, we must work together. Legislators, physicians, hospital systems, insurance companies, and community leaders must create a more sustainable and efficient health care system. Every Texan deserves to have affordable and quality care when he or she needs it — regardless of income or where the person lives. It’s incumbent on us to create and support that system.
What's Hot

► TMA Launches Physician Services Organization for Patient Care

Texas’ premier physician associations today announced the establishment of an organization to deliver doctors the survival tools they need to provide demonstrably better and more efficient patient care and compete in today’s health care marketplace.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Where the Action Is

2013 TMA Legislative Agenda

What's Hot

Texas’ premier physician associations today announced the establishment of an organization to deliver doctors the survival tools they need to provide demonstrably better and more efficient patient care and compete in today’s health care marketplace.

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