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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.  

‘Better and Better Every Year’: TexMed Evolves to Meet Members’ Needs - 02/27/2025

TexMed evolves to meet members’ needs through new CME, exciting keynote presentations.

I Never Knew TMA: Had AI Experts on its HIT Committee - 02/07/2025

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.

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.

Physician Input Will Shape CME at TexMed 2025 - 11/12/2024

Educational topics must fall into the categories of leadership and professional development; physician health and wellness; population and public health; business of medicine; or specialty trends. Applications close Dec. 31.

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.

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.

New TMA President Urges Physicians to Practice Civility - 11/04/2024

Douglas Curran, MD, became the 153rd president of the Texas Medical Association at TexMed 2018 on Saturday, urging fellow physicians to do their part to bring civility back to a world full of negativity.

TMA Awards Scholarships for 2024 to 16 Incoming Medical Students - 10/08/2024

Sixteen students entering Texas medical schools this fall are getting a financial boost on their way. Each of the students, who are members of minorities underrepresented among physicians, will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Texas Medical Association. Physicians selected the students – one for each of Texas’ 16 medical schools – for their academic achievement, commitment to community service, and desire to care for Texas’ increasingly diverse population.

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.

“Healthy Humorist” Injects a Dose of Laughter at TexMed - 08/16/2024

Physician-turned-keynote speaker Brad Nieder, MD, concluded TexMed 2023 on Saturday with an uplifting, humorous reminder that “laughter is the best medicine,” even for 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.

TMA Presses Feds to Ensure Medical Database Is Peer-Reviewed, Evidence-Based - 08/08/2024

As the federal government tries to hone the future of its “actionable medical knowledge” database, the Texas Medical Association is urging officials to ensure the tool offers meaningful, evidence-based information to physicians, including with the evolution of artificial intelligence.

HHS Establishes Information-Blocking Disincentives for Clinicians - 08/01/2024

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.

TMA Celebrates Outstanding Science Teachers for Educating Potential Future Physicians - 07/22/2024

The Texas Medical Association is honoring three exceptional Texas science teachers with the 2024 Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching. TMA recognized the teachers – Selene Verhofstad, EdD, of Pasadena; Christi Fuchs of Cuero; and Jamie Flint of Houston – at a ceremony in Austin.

TMA Bestows Highest Honor to Congressman Burgess at 2024 Conference - 07/22/2024

In recognition of his two decades of congressional service of writing, improving, and passing legislation to benefit patient care, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) today honored U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-Texas), with its 2024 TMA Distinguished Service Award. TMA leaders recognized Dr. Burgess at TexMed, the association’s annual conference held this year in Dallas. The award is TMA’s highest honor.

Meeting High Standards: Reinvigorated Approach to Events Drives Association Growth - 07/10/2024

TMA’s reinvigorated approach to events drives association growth

Open House: TMA’s House of Delegates Foster Member Engagement - 07/10/2024

Recent changes by TMA’s House of Delegates foster member engagement and address the needs of Texas physicians.

Physicians Can Delegate Breach Notifications to Change Healthcare Following Cyberattack - 06/26/2024

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights announced  May 31 that covered entities – such as health plans, health care clearinghouses, and physicians – affected by privacy breaches stemming from the February cyberattack on Change Healthcare and its parent corporation UnitedHealth Group may delegate breach notifications to both companies.

Wanted: AI Experts for TMA Committee - 06/05/2024

As augmented and artificial intelligence dominate headlines, the Texas Medical Association is looking to ensure physicians’ interests are represented and protected.