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Can’t Say It Enough: Document, Document, Document - 08/11/2020

When Medicare delves into claims errors, one stands out: insufficient documentation.

Watch Out For COVID-19 Cyber Scams - 03/20/2020

Internet scammers are trying to cash in on the widespread anxiety over COVID-19, and awareness is the best defense, according to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Likewise, the Texas Attorney General's Office has issued a warning about outbreak-related scams.

Beware of Phony TMB or DEA Agents - 02/05/2020

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) is warning physicians and pharmacies of a scam involving criminals who sometimes pose as TMB officials. TMB passed along a report from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that says physicians registered with the DEA are receiving calls and emails from criminals who identify themselves as DEA personnel or other law enforcement agents.

Microsoft Windows, Server Systems Vulnerable to Hackers, Feds Warn - 01/17/2020

Texas physicians should look out for a security weakness in Microsoft Windows 10, Server 2016, and Server 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said this week.

Ousting the ‘F-Word’ From Your Practice - 10/29/2019

You do everything you can to keep your patients safe and healthy. But are you sure your practice is safe from fraud and abuse? Don’t wait for a costly government audit – or a criminal charge – to come knocking. Check out the Texas Medical Association’s e-book, Fraud and Abuse Prevention Simplified, which can help you learn to protect both your practice and patients.

Medical Devices Could Be Vulnerable to Hackers, FDA Warns - 10/02/2019

Certain medical devices and hospital communications networks could contain cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could allow a remote attacker to take control of the device and change its function, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned on Tuesday.

Beware of Scam Email Sent to TMA Members - 08/21/2019

An unauthorized email that claimed to be from the Texas Medical Association recently was sent to some TMA members stating that the individual member’s dues statement and insurance policy update was included. If you received this email, please know that it did not originate from nor was it authorized by TMA or the TMA Insurance Trust, and you should discard it.

Be On the Lookout for MIPS Audit Request - 06/25/2019

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has contracted with Guidehouse, a nationwide consulting firm, to audit physicians who participate in the Merit-Based Incentive Program, which is under the Quality Payment Program. If you submitted MIPS data for 2017 and/or 2018, you could receive a request for information via email or certified letter from Guidehouse.

Scammers Targeting Texas Pulmonologists Seeking $500 - 06/19/2019

The Texas Medical Association is warning pulmonary physicians to be aware of a scam involving a letter from a phony medical board that seeks $500 “for Pulmonary Disease Certification Status Verification.” Two Texas pulmonologists contacted TMA to report a letter from the “American Board of Pulmonary Disease” notifying them of a “very important requirement to continue certification in pulmonary disease at this time. You are on record having failed to previously register, and must comply.”

HIPAA Privacy and Security Audits Coming Soon - 05/30/2019

A whole new round of audits — for compliance with HIPAA privacy requirements — are set to begin in early 2013.

Alert: Scammers Demanding Bogus Fines For Drug Purchases - 04/01/2019

The Texas Medical Association and the Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) are warning physicians about scammers posing as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent trying to defraud doctors into paying a nonexistent federal fine for allegedly intercepting illegal prescription drugs the doctor had sent through the mail.

Greenway Clients Entitled to Free EHR Upgrade After Fraud Settlement - 02/12/2019

Electronic Health Record vendor Greenway Health has been ordered to offer its clients free upgrades to its latest version of Prime Suite as part of a settlement in a multimillion-dollar fraud case.  

Don’t Fall for Credentialing Scam, Blue Cross Says - 10/23/2018

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas warns physicians to be aware of a scammer that is offering to help doctors become credentialed with the insurance company for $250.

What To Do When Employees Steal: Medical Practices Are a Ripe Target for Embezzlement - 09/14/2018

Medical practices are a ripe target for embezzlement.

EHR Vendors Behaving Badly; What Can You Do? - 08/27/2018

Have you had a problem with your electronic health record vendor not following through on its contractual obligations? Many practices don’t know how or where to get help.

Kyle Janek: The Texas Medicine Interview - 04/24/2018

New Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, MD, has concerns about Medicaid - about having enough physicians to care for patients, about how to improve the health insurer, and other thoughts he shares with Texas Medicine magazine. In this interview he covers that, fraud investigations, women's health and other key issues he and the state face.

Another Possible Audit, This Time for MIPS - 04/19/2018

You could receive a request in the future from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for an audit of your Merit-Based Incentive Payment System submissions.

New Medicaid Inspector General Appointed - 01/19/2018

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Sylvia Hernandez Kauffman inspector general for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

CMS to Expand Audits, Education Targeted to Outliers - 09/13/2017

A new type of audit may be coming your way, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services puts a pilot claims review program into practice nationwide.

Tax Fraud - 07/06/2017

A nationwide identity theft scheme is targeting physicians and leaving the Internal Revenue Service liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent tax refunds. As of June, more than 100 Texas Medical Association members notified the association someone had stolen their Social Security numbers and attempted to claim their tax refunds. The association has learned the crime's victims also include physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, dentists, podiatrists, and pharmacists. Texas is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia affected by this con.

Why, What, and Who Keys to Recoupment-Proof Documentation - 02/08/2017

The lack of a signature on specific portions of an otherwise complete documentation is enough to warrant a Medicare payment recoupment. Here’s what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found in three Comprehensive Error Rate Testing reviews.

HIPAA Audit, Phase 2: Are You in Compliance? - 02/02/2017

The federal government has begun its Phase 2 HIPAA Audit Program. The program aims to assess compliance with a wide array of HIPAA Privacy, Security, and breach notification rules.

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training: Not Just for Medicare Advantage Plans - 01/27/2017

Medicare requires annual fraud, waste, and abuse training for physicians contracted with any Medicare Advantage plan and their staff. But all practices should provide this type of training to all employees, regardless of health plan participation, says TMA.

Identify Your Own Fraud and Abuse Red Flags - 09/26/2016

One way to help keep your practice operations squeaky clean and in compliance with fraud and abuse laws is to develop an internal set of warning indicators.

Your Options Following a Recovery Audit Overpayment Determination - 06/03/2016

The Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program is designed to ferret out incorrect payments to physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals. An appeal to a RAC determination of overpayment is essentially the same as any other Medicare appeal. However, a RAC initial determination is not appealed to the RAC - rather it is appealed to the Medicare carrier, i.e., to TrailBlazer for Texas physicians.