Practice Help

To help physicians successfully navigate the effects of the outbreak, and to support the viability of all medical practices, TMA has developed several resources on managing practice cash flows, HR/staffing, billing and reimbursement, and other business of medicine concerns. Resources will be updated regularly, and access will remain unrestricted for the duration of the pandemic.

COVID-19 Resource Center

COVID-19: Practice Management Considerations

Practical Answers to COVID-19 Questions for Your Practice

What Physicians and Health Care Workers Need to Know about Stay-at-Home Orders

COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control for Outpatient Clinics Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Use This Permission Letter to Excuse COVID-19 Patients from Work or School

Hang This Sign on Your Door to Keep Patients and Staff Safe

Dedicated Cellular Network Open to Physicians Responding to COVID-19

New Coronavirus Law Mandates Paid Leave for Certain Employees (Vinson & Elkins March 19, 2020)

Telemedicine: What You Need To Know for COVID-19 and Beyond

Telemedicine: Getting Started – TMA “how-to” guide

Texas Laws and Regulations Relating to Telemedicine – White paper

Telemedicine Vendor Options  
View a list of telemedicine vendors and their product information

Telemedicine Evaluation Criteria
TMA created this evaluation tool to help Texas physicians with criteria to consider in the selection of telemedicine vendor products.

Telemedicine Policies, Procedures and Forms

Payer Policies for Telemedicine Services

How to Prescribe Controlled Substances Via Telemedicine Under COVID-19 Waivers

How Health Plans Are Covering COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

Payer Policies for Telemedicine Services

Medicare Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 (CMS 3/5/2020)

CMS Offers More Flexibility, Financial Stability for COVID-19 Care

Medicaid and CHIP Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 (CMS 3/5/2020)

Feds Approve Texas’ Request for COVID-19 Medicaid Waiver

Individual and Small Group Market Insurance Coverage (CMS 3/5/2020)

Workers’ Comp COVID-19 Claims Require Work-Related Connection, Officials Say

AMA Creates CPT Code for Coronavirus Test

ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines on COVID-19 April 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020 (CDC)

Comptroller Postpones Taxing Medical Billing Services Until 2021

This Can Help Your Practice’s Revenue During COVID-19

Financing Options to Help Keep Your Practice Afloat

Concerned About Your Practice’s Finances? TMA Has Answers

Federal Loans Available to Help Your Practice During Disaster

Comptroller Postpones Taxing Medical Billing Services Until 2021

Licensure

TMB to Extend Expiring Medical Licenses to Aug. 31

HIPAA

HIPAA Privacy and Novel Coronavirus (HHSC)

OSHA

Key OSHA Standards for COVID-19 (US Dept of Labor)

With a key deadline for clinicians in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) approaching fast amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is giving those clinicians a month of extra time to submit their data.

CMS announced Sunday it is moving the deadline for MIPS-eligible clinicians to submit their 2019 MIPS data to April 30, instead of March 31.

One of the biggest challenges physicians have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic is keeping themselves, their staff, and their patients safe while still providing the best possible care. 
Unfortunately, demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) is exceeding supply because of an extreme surge in patients at health care facilities.

The delays are done. March 2020 is here, and by law, physicians now must check PMP Aware – the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP) – before issuing any opioid, benzodiazepine, barbiturate, or carisoprodol prescription. 

In a medical practice, physicians, administrators, managers, and other staff may all be responsible for maintaining compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. The Texas Medical Association offers several resources, tools, and even discounts on compliance services to help keep your practice compliant.