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Talk to Patients About: Varicella - 09/19/2024

The varicella-zoster virus  does double-duty: It can cause chickenpox when you’re young and reactivate later in life as a painful, blistery rash called shingles. Well, there’s a vaccine for each disease.

Talk to Patients About: Rubella - 09/19/2024

The virus that causes rubella often appears deceptively mild — so mild in fact that one-quarter to half of people infected with it will have no symptoms at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccination is the best protection.

United Launches National ‘Gold Card’ Program - 09/17/2024

UnitedHealthcare announced the launch of what it’s calling a national “gold card” program, which purports to allow physicians to bypass the prior authorization process and is set to begin Oct. 1.

Shape TexMed’s Future by Applying to New TMA Committee - 09/10/2024

As TexMed 2024 brought Texas Medical Association events to a new high, the House of Delegates voted to continue the upward trend with the formation of a standing Committee on TexMed Education, which will continue to aid TMA’s mission to provide accurate, relevant, and engaging information for members.

CMS Ups Seasonal Flu Vaccine Payment - 09/09/2024

On Aug. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services increased payments to physicians for influenza vaccines and updated which codes physicians should use when billing for the service during the 2024-25 flu season.

BCBSTX to Require E/M Codes for Consultation Services - 09/03/2024

Starting Nov. 18, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will no longer pay physicians for outpatient or inpatient consultations when they report those services with Current Procedural Terminology codes 99242 – 99245 and 99252 – 99255.

Border Health Conference Highlights Need for Funding, Residency Programs - 08/30/2024

Physicians, lawmakers, city leaders, and others came together at the Texas Medical Association’s Border Health Conference in Laredo to find solutions to the most pressing issues affecting physicians and patients on the Texas-Mexico border.

Aetna to Correct G2211 Payment Disparities - 08/28/2024

Aetna will correct erroneously low payments made to physicians for G2211 claims following Texas Medical Association advocacy during a meeting with the payer Aug. 2.

AI Experts Added to Committee on Health Information Technology - 08/26/2024

Recognizing the potential of augmented and artificial intelligence to greatly impact patient care and physician interests, the Texas Medical Association has announced the addition of 10 expert consultants to its Committee on Health Information Technology.

County Medical Societies - 08/20/2024

Links to Texas County Medical Societies

Enjoying Employment: Texas Physicians Trend Away from Independent Practice - 08/14/2024

As the share of Texas physicians trend away from independent practice, TMA members spell out the benefits of employment.

TMA to Start 2024 Listening Tour - 08/14/2024

The TMA Board of Trustees, leadership, and staff are hitting the road in 2024 to learn directly from Texas physicians what is working, what isn’t, and what TMA can do to ensure Texas is the best place to practice medicine.

Science: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism; Physicians Fight to Reassure, Immunize - 08/09/2024

Physicians repeat it over and over: Vaccines like the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine do not cause autism; they are safe and effective. Yet the decades-old false claim that vaccines do cause autism has convinced millions of parents not to give their children potentially lifesaving shots and could lead more to opt out, according to Texas physicians.

Keller Pediatrician Assumes TMA Presidency - 08/09/2024

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) today installed Gary W. Floyd, MD, a Keller pediatrician, as its 157th president. TMA’s House of Delegates policymaking body installed Dr. Floyd during TexMed, the association’s annual conference, in Houston this year.

Medicine to Feds: Back Off Prior Authorization Requirements - 08/09/2024

The Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, and a host of other medical societies are trying to stop onerous, care-impeding prior authorization requirements from overrunning Medicare Advantage plans.

TMA Applauds Appeals Court’s Ruling in Physicians’, Patients’ Favor - 08/06/2024

Statement by G. Ray Callas, MD, TMA president, in response to the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling Friday in TMA’s favor. The court affirmed the district court’s decision in an appeal filed by several federal government agencies to TMA’s earlier victory in a lawsuit challenging certain components of the federal agencies’ final rules governing independent dispute resolution for surprise medical bills under the No Surprises Act. TMA argued the case in December 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The district court later ruled in TMA’s favor, prompting the federal government appeal.

Keep Them From Harm and Injustice? - 07/30/2024

Fear remains a major barrier to transparency of hospital errors.

UHC Expands EZ Claim Pay Service to Certain Texas Medicare Patients - 07/26/2024

As of July 1, UnitedHealthcare has expanded its EZ Claim Pay service to Texas for Medicare Supplement Plan G patients, and for those patients who enroll, physicians won’t need to bill them directly for their Medicare Part B deductible.

TMA Grants to Help Your Practice Improve Local Vaccination Rates - 07/16/2024

Apply for a grant. Vaccines Defend What Matters (formerly Be Wise – Immunize) is TMA’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas. 

Texas' Voice: Delegation Shapes AMA Policy, But Could Have Greater Impact - 07/10/2024

Through its delegation, TMA shapes AMA policy – but its impact could be greater   

Lifelong Leadership: Distinguished Service Award Bestowed Upon U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, MD - 07/10/2024

TMA bestows Distinguished Service Award upon U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, MD.

G-Code Payment Frustration Persists With Inconsistent Implementation - 06/25/2024

Deepening ongoing physician concerns over Medicare’s add-on code for complex care, two major payers have either reduced payment for G2211 claims or announced plans to stop paying certain claims associated with the code altogether. Read more.

Program Overview - 06/24/2024

Guidelines, application process, and costs for the TMA Leadership College.

TMA Members Win Key AMA Seats - 06/21/2024

In addition to influencing a dozen American Medical Association policies at its annual meeting in June, Texas Medical Association members also won key seats in AMA leadership positions.

UHC Postpones Higher Liability Coverage Requirements Plan - 06/20/2024

UnitedHealthCare (UHC) postponed a plan that would require Texas physicians to substantially increase their professional liability insurance coverage in order to participate in its networks. The move comes after the Harris County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association expressed serious concerns about the new policy.