Related Stories

Far-Reaching Implications: The Ripple Effects of Texas' Uninsured Rate - 12/04/2019

Data compiled by the Texas Medical Association and other organizations, as well as physicians’ own anecdotal experiences, show how 5 million uninsured patients in Texas become 5 million dominoes. As they fall, so do countless others representing the health of Texas: The economy and well-being of entire communities. The classmates and friends of uninsured children. And yes, the physicians who deal with the burdens of treating uninsured patients in emergency rooms and providing uncompensated care.

Recertification Required for Healthy Texas Women Program - 10/28/2019

If you provide health care services through the Healthy Texas Women (HTW) program, or if you want to begin providing HTW services, the annual recertification period is just around the corner.

Texas Continues to Lead Nation in Uninsured Adults and Kids - 09/30/2019

As of 2018, 11.2% of Texas children younger than 19 were uninsured, up from 10.7% in 2017, according to data the Census Bureau released last week. All told, Texas has led the nation in uninsured residents over the past two years, Census data show.

Tying Immigration to Medicaid Foolish, TMA President Says - 08/20/2019

The Trump Administration's new rule seeking to limit access to green cards for immigrants who receive Medicaid and other government benefits will discourage people from seeing their physicians, worsening medical problems and harming public health, says Texas Medical Association President David C. Fleeger, MD.

Medicaid: Reforms, But No Raise - 08/02/2019

Medicine didn’t get everything it needed from lawmakers for Medicaid, including TMA’s biggest and boldest ask of the 2019 session. Still, progress TMA achieved on managed care reform and other facets of Medicaid will advance physicians’ efforts to care for the most vulnerable Texans.

More Than 1 Million More Texans Could Be Covered, Report Shows - 04/18/2019

Expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act would help put a substantial dent in the number of uninsured Texans, a new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation shows.

Include Physicians on Long-Term Care Facilities Council - 04/09/2019

TMA strongly supports SB 1519 as it will address Texas’ growing need for best practices in dispute resolution and Medicaid quality-based payment systems in long-term care. However, we urge the chair and this committee to consider two additions to the long-term care council that will strengthen its ability to address medical and infectious disease concerns

Strengthen Medicaid MCO Oversight and Improve Access to Care - 04/02/2019

Over the past six months, leaders from TMA, the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Association of Health Plans, and Texas Association of Community Health Plans have met monthly to identify opportunities to reform Medicaid. While we do not always sing Kumbaya, we have developed a better understanding of the root causes of many of problems facing the program. And many problems are much more complex than we first realized, such as simplifying Medicaid prior authorizations.

Children Eligible for Medicaid Need Continuous Coverage - 03/11/2019

Texas is a state that values fairness. In 2007, lawmakers adopted 12 months’ continuous coverage as a best practice for children in CHIP. It is time to provide working parents of children enrolled in Medicaid the same treatment.

Urgent: Action Needed Today To Secure $500 Million For Medicaid - 03/08/2019

On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee will consider amendments, known as “riders,” to its draft state budget for 2020-21. Your state representative serves on the Appropriations Committee. Please contact your representative today and ask him or her to vote to adopt “the Sheffield rider in Article 11” to increase Medicaid rates.

TMA Pushes Back Against Planned Vaccine Payment Cuts - 02/12/2019

As the influenza virus continues to spread statewide, the Texas Medical Association and other specialty societies have taken a stand against a plan to cut by almost 36 percent payments to physicians who administer a flu vaccine in their offices.

Physicians Tell Feds: Rework Network Adequacy Plan - 02/08/2019

The Texas Medical Association and the Texas Pediatric Society are urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reconsider several parts of its proposal to redefine adequate networks for Medicaid.

Improve Access to Care for Working Texans - 02/07/2019

Healthy Texans underpin Texas’ economic health. To ensure Texas can sustain its economic momentum over the long haul, it must invest in its greatest asset – its people. Our organizations call upon lawmakers to adopt a patient-centered legislative agenda to boldly address Texas’ access to health care challenges.

Panel: Value-Based Care Bearing Fruit - 01/30/2019

Although some of the numbers documenting access to care in Texas are less than encouraging, the shift to value-based care in Medicaid is showing positive signs, a panel collectively told the Texas Medical Association’s Winter Conference on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Austin.

Pediatrician Named HHSC Medicaid Chief Medical Officer - 01/15/2019

San Antonio pediatrician Ryan Van Ramshorst, MD, has been appointed chief medical officer for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Medicaid Eligibility Verification Website to Be Shuttered Friday - 12/13/2018

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will decommission the YourTexasBenefitsCard.com website and the Medicaid eligibility verification Interactive Voice Response system at 7 pm (Central) on Friday.

TMA Offers to Help New HHSC Chief Reform Medicaid - 11/30/2018

The Texas Medical Association knows the state’s Medicaid managed care system needs to get better, and physicians are ready to help the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s new leader make it happen. That’s what TMA and three other organizations told new HHSC Executive Commissioner Courtney Phillips, PhD, in a letter this week welcoming her to her new post and highlighting steps to cut Medicaid red tape and enhance access to care.

Doctors, Insurers, Hospitals Meet to Set Priorities for Strengthening Medicaid Managed Care - 10/24/2018

As the future of Texas Medicaid promises to be a central topic of discussion in the 86th Texas Legislature, leaders from three pillars of the Texas health care system gathered in Austin on Oct. 12 for a first-ever summit to identify and commit to working on shared priorities for strengthening the program.

Key Date on the Way: Medicaid Telemedicine Benefit Updates - 09/27/2018

Along with patients presenting via remote video, doctors using telemedicine for Medicaid encounters should have Oct. 1 on their radar screens. That’s when Texas Medicaid’s updated benefit policy language on telemedicine and telehealth for managed care organizations takes effect.

Financial Squeeze: Low Medicaid pay has Dallas clinics turning to midlevels to cut costs - 09/14/2018

Low Medicaid pay forces some Children's Health Pediatric Group clinics in Dallas to close, others turn to midlevels to cut costs, raising quality concerns.

RSV Season is Coming — Make Sure You Prescribe Properly - 09/12/2018

Human respiratory syncytial virus season is about to start. For Medicaid patients, Synagis (palivizumab) is available via prescription for high-risk patients. Each commercial health plan has its own policy and requirements for prescribing Synagis. All plans require prior authorization but may differ on their buy-and-bill guidelines.

TMA Calls On Feds to Protect Medicaid Patients’ Access to Tests - 08/03/2018

The Texas Medical Association continues to push back against the rollout of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, which could cause Medicaid patients in Texas and elsewhere to lose access to needed clinical tests.

A Voice for the Voiceless - 08/01/2018

Lee Ann Pearse, MD, is a tireless advocate for Medicaid patients.

Avoid Prescription Denials: Enroll in Medicaid Soon - 07/19/2018

Enroll in Medicaid by July 27 of this year to ensure your Medicaid pharmacy prescriptions get filled.

Postpartum Depression Screening Now Covered by Texas Medicaid - 07/10/2018

As part of health officials’ continuing effort to improve women’s health, postpartum depression screening is now a Texas Medicaid benefit.