Stories with related Professional Interests

Low-Level Code May Have High Misuse - 02/26/2021

It’s been called the “nurse visit” code, and also “the most abused code in the CPT book.” Do you use 99211 correctly?

Protect Your Practice From Scammers and Fraud - 02/05/2021

Physicians and practice staff should always be vigilant against scams and other fraud attempts, including criminals who sometimes pose as state or federal officials.

Proposed CMS Payer Requirements Shouldn’t Burden Physicians, TMA Says - 01/08/2021

A federal proposal that would require more transparency in insurers’ prior authorization denials in Medicaid and more sharing of such information with physicians could improve care delivery, but  also could result in more responsibilities on already overburdened physicians, TMA told the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Help TMA Standardize Quality Measures in Value-Based Care - 12/18/2020

Would you like a say in what measures should be a standard part of insurance quality programs across the nation – and which ones shouldn’t? The Texas Medical Association now has input in that discussion and could use your help.

Revised UnitedHealthcare E&M, Prior Auth Procedures to Take Effect Jan. 1 - 12/09/2020

The Texas Medical Association’s reimbursement specialists want to be sure you see the following items in the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) December bulletin.

Four Reasons Your Practice Should Start an Online Store - 12/01/2020

Online shopping continues to grow in popularity, aided in large part this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. That makes your website a prime location to highlight not only your practice’s services, but its products as well.

Reminder: Some Cures Act Reporting Provisions Required This Year - 11/24/2020

Although physicians have been given more time to comply with certain federal data-sharing provisions under the 21st Century Cures Act, other compliance regulations have not been delayed.

Deadline Extended: Didn’t Get Your 5% APM Incentive Payment? Take Action by Dec. 13 - 11/19/2020

If you participated in an advanced alternative payment model (APM) under the 2018 Quality Payment Program (QPP), the Texas Medical Association encourages you to take action now to verify that you have received your 5% APM incentive payment for 2020.

Practice E-Tips on Commercial Insurance - 11/16/2020

Get helpful practice tips on working with commercial insurance providers.

CMS Increases Advanced APM Thresholds for 2021 - 11/13/2020

If you participated in Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) this year as a Qualifying Alternative Payment Model Participant (QP), you’ll need to keep an eye on your status for 2021.

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.

UnitedHealthcare Waives Cost Sharing, Extends Telemedicine for Certain Plans - 10/15/2020

UnitedHealthcare is waiving cost sharing for Medicare Advantage plan members for primary care services, and has extended access to in-network and out-of-network telemedicine visits, including COVID-19 testing and treatment, until Dec. 31 for most of its plans.

Six Ways to Improve Your Practice Marketing - 10/02/2020

The Texas Medical Association has created a webinar that provides easy-to-follow steps to create and implement marketing strategies that fit your practice.

Life After Residency: Free TMA Webinars Will Help You Prepare - 10/01/2020

Now is the time to plan your move from residency to practice. TMA has published several new webinars that offer tips and information on many of the major decisions you’ll make at this point in your career.

Blue Cross Prior Authorization Manager Changing - 09/30/2020

Starting Jan. 1, AIM Specialty Health will manage certain outpatient prior authorizations for some Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) patients.

Go Paperless With UHC Document Vault - 09/25/2020

Looking for ways to reduce the amount of paper your practice uses? One way is to digitally receive claim and prior authorization letters for UnitedHealthcare commercial and Medicare patients through UHC’s Document Vault, rather than by mail.

Opening an Independent Practice During COVID-19 - 09/24/2020

Regardless of how the pandemic is affecting the economy, people always will need health care. This may be the best time to open a new practice, incorporating lessons learned during the pandemic, including telemedicine as a practice necessity.

Coding Changes Affect UnitedHealthcare Prior Authorization Lists - 09/23/2020

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has replaced and added procedure codes on its notification and prior authorization (PA) lists.

Charging Concierge Fees to BCBSTX Patients - 09/23/2020

Although Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) places limits on the additional fees participating network physicians can charge BCBSTX patients, some are allowed when you provide concierge services.

Are You Eligible for “Expedited Credentialing?” - 09/23/2020

If you’re completing health plan credentialing, “expedited credentialing” might apply to you. And if it applies, that could be good for you and your practice. But how do you know if it does?

10 More Ways to Save Money in Your Practice - 09/23/2020

Past editions of TMA Practice E-Tips have suggested ways practices can save money and time in daily activities. Here are more tips … for TMA members only. These programs and services are free for TMA members, and can save practices thousands of dollars.

Nail Your Virtual Job Interview, With TMA’s Help - 09/18/2020

Job interviews can be stressful and uncomfortable, but the recent shift to virtual interviews because of COVID-19 adds an entirely new layer of awkwardness. If you’re looking for tips on how to stand out virtually, check out a new Texas Medical Association webinar, How to Ace a Virtual Interview.

What Financial Questions Should You Be Asking Your Administrator? - 09/17/2020

Here are common questions you should be asking your facility or practice administrator to help you navigate wRVU reviews and calculations.

Free Webinar: Understanding and Navigating Conflict - 09/15/2020

If you would like to learn skills and practices that will help you understand and manage conflict, tune in to a webinar presented by the Texas Medical Association Alliance at noon (CT) Thursday, Sept. 17.

TMA Wants to Hear Your Thoughts on Prescribing Opioids in Texas - 09/10/2020

Since 1990, the Texas Medical Association has asked Texas physicians for their thoughts on health care practice, the economic realities of practicing medicine in the state, and what issues they believe lawmakers should take on. Check your email and please answer this month’s survey.