Medical Records

TMA to AG: Protect Physician Data from Open Records Request - 11/23/2020

The Texas Medical Association is fighting to keep confidential the personal and financial data of physicians who recently participated in an independent dispute resolution process created by Texas’ surprise billing law – Senate Bill 1264.

Surprise Billing Records Request Could Make Physicians’ Personal, Financial Data Public - 11/12/2020

The clock is ticking to file an objection with the Texas Attorney General’s office to protect some of your personal and financial data that could be made public through an open-records request filed with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Keep Your Records Straight and HIPAA-Compliant With TMA CME - 01/21/2020

TMA’s in-depth publication, Managing Your Medical Records, will help physicians and front office staff better understand the rules of consent, release, and disclosure. Get up to speed on everything from practical, efficient methods for record organization to best practices for record storage that’s HIPAA- and HITECH-compliant.

Physicians Concerned Over State’s Inaccurate Death Reporting - 06/25/2019

Some Texas physicians are concerned that the state’s death statistics are not as accurate as they should be. Like in many states, Texas’ death reporting system feeds inconsistent information into the state’s vital statistics database. As a result, distorted death statistics inaccurately portray how people are dying, which could have negative public health implications.

Problems With Texas’ New Vital Statistics Registry Fixed, Official Says - 01/07/2019

The new TxEVER system should be operating smoothly after experiencing technical difficulties in the days after going live, an official with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said Friday. If you weren’t already aware, the DSHS on Jan. 1 rolled out the system for processing death and birth certificates that it says will be easier and more accurate.

A Conversation With Travis County Chief Medical Examiner J. Keith Pinckard, MD - 03/08/2018

Texas Medicine recently caught up with Dr. Pinckard, who has been the chief medical examiner at the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office since 2015.

Charging a Fee to Complete Forms - 10/19/2017

Can practices charge a fee to complete individual disability income claims forms?

Medical Records Retention for Pregnant Patients - 07/28/2017

Q. How long does an obstetrician or other physician who treats women during pregnancy need to keep patient records? Is it until age 21 of the baby, or seven years after the mother was last treated?

Take Our Medical Records Quiz - 06/14/2017

Questions abound when it comes to managing medical records because they are subject to many rules and regulations. Can you answer these commonly asked questions about medical records?

Withholding Copies of Records for Failure to Pay Copy Fee - 12/07/2016

Do we have to provide a patient copies of requested medical records if the patient fails to pay the copying fee?

Requests for Records Must Be in Writing - 12/06/2016

Can we require all requests for copies of medical records be in writing, even though HIPAA says we must honor oral requests?

Handling Patient Charts Under HIPAA - 11/08/2016

Handling Patient Charts Under HIPAA

Guidelines for Documenting E&M Services - 06/02/2016

Guidelines for documenting E&M services

Make Sure Novitas Can Open Your CDs - 05/18/2016

If you need to send medical records to Novitas Solutions, the Medicare payer for Texas, make sure Novitas can access the encrypted information.