Stories written by Alisa Pierce

Read and Review: TMA Offers Insight into Common Physician Contracts - 04/30/2025

TMA offers tips, insight into common types of contracts physicians encounter across their careers.

Service Provider: TMA Practice Resources Educate Physicians on Practice Challenges - 04/30/2025

TMA’s robust practice resources help educate physicians on common billing issues, payer updates, and practice challenges.

Top Technology Recommendations Align with TMA Policy, Education - 04/29/2025

TMA technology staff attended a regional meeting of a nationwide cybersecurity coalition comprised of 450 other health care organizations, including the American Medical Association, to learn about emerging technology trends in medicine and how to reduce harm to physician practices.

TexMed Speaker to Tackle Drug Pricing, Entrepreneurship - 04/29/2025

Founder of the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, radiologist Alex Oshmyansky, MD, previewed his upcoming TexMed talk about unfair drug pricing and the early stages of launching a startup.

Attend a Council or Committee Meeting at TexMed, Open to All Members - 04/21/2025

Kick off TexMed 2025 by attending the event’s various council and committee meetings, open to all members interested in TMA governance and policy development. The open meetings policy is one of many new initiatives TMA has approved in recent years to increase the visibility of member interests.

Medicaid Funding Streams Crucial in State, Federal Advocacy Discussions - 04/17/2025

In the chance the federal government moves forward with proposed cuts that could negatively impact Medicaid, TMA is here to help Texas physicians understand and navigate Medicaid’s funding complexities. Read more.

Online Testimony on TMA Business Items Closes April 17 - 04/10/2025

TMA members have until April 17 to submit online testimony on business items to be considered by the House of Delegates at TexMed, May 8-10. A permanent fixture since 2020, online testimony allows the association to hear and address members’ concerns early.

TexMed 2025 Unveils New CME, Tailored Offerings to Attendees at All Career Levels - 04/04/2025

This year’s annual conference will see a presentation by YouTube’s Dr. Mike, tailored CME submitted by TMA members, practice resources for established physicians and networking opportunities for students and residents. Plus, a new badging system cuts check-in hassle.

Prior Authorization Fuels Physician Burnout, Decreases Access to Care, AMA Survey Finds - 04/03/2025

Prior authorization continues to intensify physician burnout, increase health care costs, and limit patients’ access to care, per AMA. Meanwhile, TMA advocates against health plans’ use of artificial intelligence in the prior auth process and aims to reduce its burden on physicians.   

Books and Brunch: Dallas Physicians Promote Literacy, Healthy Habits - 04/01/2025

Physicians in Dallas County, including a mother-daughter medical duo, treated patients to breakfast, games, and free books at their Texas BookShare event. Thanks to generous support from the TMA Foundation, TMA members can host a Texas BookShare event for free or as little as $500.

Walk with a Doc Turns 20, Creates Lasting Community Changes - 04/01/2025

Walk with a Doc is celebrating its 20th anniversary by challenging physicians and their patients to walk for at least 20 minutes every day in April – and two Dallas physicians are celebrating a one-year anniversary of their own.

I Never Knew TMA: Had AI Experts on its HIT Committee - 03/31/2025

TMA’s HIT Committee stands among nine councils and 18 standing committees that channel physician expertise to influence policy and programs that support Texas patients and physicians and provide solutions to the challenges they encounter.

YouTube’s ‘Doctor Mike’ Talks Online Success, Patient Trust Ahead of TexMed 2025 - 03/25/2025

YouTube sensation, philanthropist, and family physician Mikhail “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, DO, spoke about the origins of his internet career, fighting rampant online disinformation, and building patient trust in an exclusive Q&A with TMA ahead of his TexMed 2025 presentation.

Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities for Another Six Months - 03/24/2025

Several pandemic-era Medicare telehealth and payment flexibilities will now last through Sept. 30 following recent action by Congress, including those that waive geographic site restrictions for mental health telemedicine services provided without an in-person visit.

BCBSTX Reprocessing Flu Testing Claims Following Incorrect Denials - 03/03/2025

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is reprocessing certain claims filed between Jan. 1 and Feb. 13, the payer told TMA’s Physician Payment Resource Center. Physicians should continue to review claims to ensure they are correctly reprocessed.

‘Tremendously Lifesaving’: The Physicians Benevolent Fund Helped Robert Boyd, MD, Fight Depression - 02/27/2025

How The Physicians Benevolent Fund helped Robert Boyd, MD, fight depression, financial stress.

Without Congressional Action, Medicare Telehealth Waivers Will End March 31 - 02/26/2025

Medicare telehealth waivers previously extended by Congress will expire March 31, meaning Medicare patients will no longer be able to have telemedicine visits while in their home and physicians will again be required to meet with patients in-person before a telemedicine mental health consultation.

Scammers Pose as TMA, CMS Leaders Asking for Money - 02/11/2025

TMA warns physicians to be aware of cybercriminals pretending to be affiliated with TMA, a TMA-authorized vendor, or a county medical society. Often, these attacks use logos and branding of well-known companies to impersonate businesses or known individuals, especially those in leadership positions.

Texas Physicians Secure Top Spots in National Leadership Training Program - 02/07/2025

Just 25 seats were available for the inaugural hybrid training program hosted by the Physicians Foundation and Brandeis University. Starting in September, the program will teach physicians how to shape health care policy through leadership and advocacy.

You Spoke, We Listened: Listening Tour Collects Valuable Physician Feedback - 02/03/2025

TMA’s 2024 Listening Tour collected valuable feedback about physicians’ pressing needs.

Check Eligibility for Medicare Bonus Following Annual HPSA Update - 01/28/2025

Physicians, including psychiatrists, can receive a 10% quarterly bonus from CMS for providing primary care or mental health services to Medicare patients in qualifying areas, with some important distinctions on services rendered.

Advancing Health Equity: Karen Batory’s 35-year TMA Career Shaped Public Health for the Association - 01/20/2025

Karen Batory’s extensive, 35-year career at TMA shaped public health for both the association and the state

Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Waivers, Payment for Audio-Only Visits - 01/10/2025

With telehealth extensions granted under the American Relief Act, TMA has updated its telehealth waiver chart to reflect these temporary changes that allow physicians to provide telemedicine mental health services without conducting an in-person patient visit. The flexibilities were extended through March.

How TMA Helped This Physician Fight Depression, Financial Stress - 01/07/2025

For retired Lubbock anesthesiologist Robert Boyd, MD, support from TMA’s Physicians Benevolent Fund is both financial and emotional, assisting with personal expenses such as rent and groceries and strengthening his independence.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Seek Balanced Regulation of AI - 01/06/2025

TMA will work to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) regulation supports physician practices but does not replace physicians’ medical expertise.