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Digital-Age Doctors: What the 21st Century Cures Act Has Done to Change Physician Practice - 06/30/2025

Texas physicians have become more cognizant of electronic health records and innovations in augmented intelligence since the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.

TMA’s First 2025 Legislative Victory Protects Sensitive Test Results - 05/23/2025

Gov. Greg Abbott signed TMA’s first victory of the 2025 legislative session to allow physicians a way to communicate to their patients receive serious or sensitive test results in a supportive manner rather than via electronic patient portals. Texas physicians will still need to comply with information blocking provisions after the three-day pause.

TMA Preserves Technology’s “Human Element” with New EHR, AI Policies - 05/21/2025

Texas physicians unanimously adopted new TMA policy advocating for EHR-generated health care forms, circumventing lengthy manual processes and unnecessary expenses placed upon physician practices. Also adopted: new policy that strengthens TMA’s efforts to stay abreast of AI advancements.

Why You Need Business Associate Agreements - 05/07/2025

A medical practice in Illinois in April paid a $31,000 fine because it didn’t have a business associate agreement (BAA) with one of its long-time vendors. Any chance your practice has overlooked signing a BAA with any of its business associates?

HHS Establishes Information-Blocking Disincentives for Clinicians - 05/01/2025

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a final rule that aims to hold health care professionals, including physicians, accountable for information blocking as determined by the HHS Office of Inspector General.

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.

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.

Feds Scrap TMA-Opposed SUNSET Regulation-Review Rule - 03/21/2025

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has turned out the lights on a “sunset” rule requiring extensive federal review of thousands of regulations, which the Texas Medical Association and others in organized medicine believed would needlessly divert HHS’ attention from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk Management - 03/20/2025

Practice e-Tips on Risk Management

What Are HIPAA Transaction and Code Sets Standards? - 03/20/2025

Learn about the HIPAA Transactions and Code Sets Rule that standardizes electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions for submitting, processing, and paying claims. Has your practice met the required standards?

Proposed Cybersecurity Rule Changes Create Undue Burden, TMA Warns Feds - 03/18/2025

The proposal recommends sweeping, significant revisions to established standards for patient health information, but may overstep its reach and create financial pressure physicians can’t afford.

20 Everyday HIPAA Tips - 03/17/2025

 The goal of HIPAA is to make sure the protected health information you are responsible for or come into contact with remains confidential, secure, and available when you need it. Here are basic steps every practice can take to help make this happen.  

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Expand Access to Care with Telemedicine Payment Parity - 12/31/2024

TMA supports improving access to high-quality, physician-led telemedicine care that is covered at the same rate as in-person visits.

Ask “Dr. ChatGPT”: What Physicians Should Know About AI - 12/20/2024

Health care adviser Harvey Castro, MD, details what physicians should know about artificial intelligence.

TMA Develops New AI Education - 12/20/2024

Responding to significant interest from members after a 2023 standing-room-only TexMed event, the Texas Medical Association has developed a free webinar for members to learn how to integrate augmented or artificial intelligence technology, including ChatGPT, into patient care.

Executive Order Requires Safe, Secure Use of AI in Health Care - 12/20/2024

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Oct. 30 establishing new standards for the safe and secure use of artificial intelligence via federal oversight across different sectors, including health care.

Feds Require AI Transparency, Define Info-Blocking Exceptions - 12/20/2024

First-of-their-kind transparency regulations established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aim to help physicians determine the safety of artificial intelligence technology. The new rule also established a new information blocking exception and implemented a 21st Century Cures Act requirement for health IT developers. Read more.

FTC Mandates Vendors Notify Patients of Breaches in Health Information - 11/07/2024

The Federal Trade Commission has amended its Health Breach Notification Rule to require vendors of personal health records and related entities not covered by HIPAA to notify individuals, the FTC, and, at times, the media, when a breach in protected health information occurs. The change will take effect July 29.

CMS Adds Cyberattack Option to MIPS Hardship Exemption - 11/07/2024

The option has been added to the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances application. That portal is now open, and physicians have until Dec. 31 to file a hardship application and avoid a 2026 negative payment adjustment in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. Read more.

New Unscored MIPS Measure Can Help You Refine Your EHR Use - 11/07/2024

Even though it won’t affect your score for 2022, a new piece of this year’s Merit-Based Incentive-Payment System (MIPS) might be worth undertaking just the same – because it can help practices make sure they’re using their electronic health record (EHR) systems safely.

Update Your Digital Contact Info for Electronic Hospital Notices on Your Patients - 11/07/2024

Hospitals are required to let you know when they’ve seen your patient via an admit, discharge, or transfer notice. To ensure that happens, physicians are required to make sure their digital contact information in a federal database is up to date.

Beware Third Party Scams - 11/07/2024

As technological capabilities have evolved, some individuals and organizations are using these capabilities to try to scam others out of their private personal or payment information.

How to Renew Your Electronic Prescribing Hardship Waiver - 11/07/2024

Physicians and other prescribers in Texas must now electronically prescribe controlled substances (EPCS). However, prescribers who demonstrate financial or technical hardships, or other exceptional circumstances, are eligible for a waiver from the Texas Medical Board (TMB) that, if approved, grants a one-year delay. If the hardship persists, prescribers must renew that waiver annually.

Beware of Phony TMB, DEA Agents and Other Scams - 11/06/2024

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.

Inbox Overload: How to Tackle Time-Consuming Electronic Messages - 11/04/2024

How to tackle time-consuming electronic messages.