News

Federal Changes May Narrow Certain Medicaid Eligibility Provisions, Boost Others - 10/17/2025

Changes on the horizon include a shortened timetable for giving new Medicaid applicants retroactive coverage, more frequent eligibility checks, and an expansion of the populations eligible for home and community-based services. Texas will also need to reconcile an issue concerning CHIP waiting periods and benefit caps.

Adverse Event Reporting Law Targets Emergency Use, Experimental Vaccines - 10/17/2025

A new state law effective Sept. 1 requires physicians to report serious adverse events for patients who receive emergency use-authorized (EUA) vaccines, but the recent termination of certain authorizations may narrow the bill’s impact going forward.

Government Shutdown: Medicare Continues to Pay Claims for Unexpired Services - 10/16/2025

As of Oct. 15, “no payments have been delayed,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said, clarifying a previous notice suggesting a claims hold. Expired provisions continue to include telehealth services.

Medicine Calls for Exemption to New $100,000 H-1B Visa Application Fee - 10/15/2025

International medical graduates (IMGs) make up about a quarter of Texas’ physician workforce, considering both licensed physicians and residents. But a White House executive order, requiring a new $100,000 fee for H-1B work visa applicants, could squeeze this crucial pipeline in meeting health care needs.

CMS Details New Federal Prior Auth Program in AMA Webinar - 10/15/2025

Join leaders from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and the American Medical Association on Oct. 22 at 7 pm CT in discussing the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) pilot, which will test new prior authorization processes for select services in the Medicare fee-for-service program in Texas and five other states.

$3 Billion Dementia Research Investment Up for Vote in November - 10/14/2025

Alzheimer’s disease, which comprises 60-80% of dementia cases, is rising in Texas and becoming a public health crisis, per state officials. TMA supports a new research institute aiming to change that.

Texas to Seek Federal Rural Health Care Funding with TMA Support - 10/13/2025

The Rural Health Transformation Fund, established under the federal budget bill, makes available a total of $50 billion to states over five years. Of that amount, $25 billion will be distributed equally among approved states, and the remaining half allocated based on grant applications and a priority weighting system.

New State CME Targets Congenital Syphilis’ Rising Rates - 10/13/2025

Physicians can access free CME through the state to help turn the tide in Texas amid stubbornly high prevalence rates.

Donate Blood at TexMed - 10/10/2025

Attendees of TMA’s TexMed 2026 in Corpus Christi will have the opportunity to donate blood on-site during the conference on April 17-18. Donors will be able to direct their donation to a prehospital whole blood program supporting emergency care.

More Telehealth Waivers Set to Expire Dec. 31 - 10/10/2025

As TMA monitors the government shutdown and the coinciding expiration of certain telehealth waivers as of Sept. 30, physicians should take notice of another series of telehealth waivers set to expire at the end of this year.

Younger Breast Cancer Screening Targets Rising Rates - 10/08/2025

TMA holds to recommendations that women begin routine annual mammograms at age 40. Per the American Cancer Society, breast cancer in women younger than age 50 is rising at double the rate of older women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

TMA Fund Offers Assistance for Substance Abuse Treatment - 10/07/2025

If you or a colleague is struggling with alcohol or any other substance abuse disorder and needs treatment, TMA's Physicians Benevolent Wellness Fund is here to provide financial assistance for qualified physicians and their immediate families.

New Law Requires Texas Physicians to Disclose AI, Provide Guardians EHR Access - 10/07/2025

The bill also requires physicians to maintain EHRs only within the U.S. Physicians can face disciplinary action, including civil penalties and license suspension or revocation by the Texas Medical Board if found to have violated the law three or more times.

Tobacco Awareness Program Aims to Educate Young Texans Without Punishment - 10/07/2025

A new resource gives an option to people under 21 who have been found in possession of tobacco products: a referral course to learn about health hazards and the tobacco industry’s pernicious marketing.

Opioid-like Exposures from Kratom Derivative on the Rise - 10/06/2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services warns physicians and patients of the harms of 7-OH, a chemical derivative of kratom, which at high concentrations can cause rapid heart rate, seizures, and respiratory depression. TMA previously testified on kratom’s risks to the public.

New Colorectal Education Resources Equip Patients and Physicians - 10/06/2025

Signs and symptoms, risk factors, and screening guidelines for colorectal cancer can be found in TMA’s new one-pagers, a patient-facing resource and a handout for physicians. Reluctance to discuss symptoms can impede timely diagnosis.

TMA Monitors Government Shutdown: What You Need to Know - 10/03/2025

TMA is in regular communication with federal colleagues at the American Medical Association on the impact to physician practices, as AMA remains in touch with senior officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Texas Expands Newborn Screening Panel to Include Four Lysosomal Diseases - 10/01/2025

The addition of four rare genetic conditions to the state’s battery of blood tests for infants brings the total of screened conditions to 59. Each newborn is assessed twice to identify infants who may have one or more of the dozens of conditions.

Cigna Clarifies Terms, Conditions of Its High-Level E/M Downcoding Policy - 09/30/2025

In communication with TMA, Cigna confirmed its policy will not apply to all physicians and those subject to it can request to be removed from the review process under certain circumstances. Nevertheless, the limited scope of the “exemption” could still represent a significant operational and financial challenge for some practices.

Federal Changes Allow Payment for Direct Primary Care Via Health Savings Accounts - 09/29/2025

The new law permits patients to use health savings account funds for direct primary care membership fees, provided the arrangement meets certain federal requirements.

TMA Board Approves Expanding References to Evidence-Based Vaccine Resources - 09/26/2025

The decision follows federal changes that represent a departure from past vaccine policies and have raised concerns among the medical community.

Telemedicine Flexibilities Could Expire Sept. 30 Amid Government Shutdown Uncertainty - 09/26/2025

If Congress cannot pass legislation extending government funding before Oct. 1, the government will shut down and current Medicare telemedicine flexibilities will lapse on Sept. 30.

Physicians Tout Augmented Intelligence, with Caveats, at Business of Medicine Conference - 09/25/2025

At this year’s event, augmented intelligence (AI) took center stage with multiple presentations on its practical applications for physicians. Presenters and TMA staff still caution against over-reliance and liability.

New Medicare Payment Complicated by Other Provisions in Proposed Rule - 09/25/2025

Despite a one-time pay increase, newly proposed adjustments in the 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule could offset the reprieve. This tops many issues TMA remarked upon in a lengthy comment letter to federal officials encompassing worrisome changes to certain quality payment programs and telemedicine flexibilities.

Physicians Brace for Expiration of ACA Tax Credits, Uninsured Fallout - 09/25/2025

An estimated 1.3 million Texans could lose coverage due to the combined effects of Affordable Care Act marketplace changes under OBBBA and the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of this year. “Physicians are definitely going to feel the effects.”