News

Pfizer COVID Vaccine Available in Single Doses to Improve Outreach, HHS Announces - 12/05/2022

Physicians eager to combat COVID-19 continue to look for ways to make the vaccines easier for patients to access. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently took an important step in that direction by offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to physicians in single-dose vials for patients 12 and older, says Dallas infectious disease specialist Trish Perl, MD, a member of the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Satisfy CME Mandates with TMA Courses - 12/05/2022

Need to complete state and federal training and education requirements for your practice? If so, turn to Texas Medical Association’s CME courses. TMA members can access CME courses at no cost, thanks to Texas Medical Association Insurance Trust.

Rotations, Residency Applications, Testing Fees? TMA Low-Interest Loans Can Help - 12/05/2022

As a medical student, Zachary Hamilton, MD, had no idea how he was going to pay for his fourth-year residency applications and travel expenses to interviews. Then he heard about and applied for a TMA low-interest educational loan.

Check Claims Dates for Drug Administration as Coding Updates Loom - 12/02/2022

With annual updates to billing codes for medications set for Jan. 1, physicians are reminded to use the most current National Drug Code (NDC) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) combinations when filing claims for drug administration.

Medicare to Expand Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Screening - 12/02/2022

Medicare patients soon will benefit from expanded coverage of colorectal cancer screening tests, following advocacy by the Texas Medical Association and others in organized medicine.

Help Develop Educational Programming for TexMed - 12/02/2022

You can play a part in developing the educational programming for the Texas Medical Association’s annual policymaking and networking event.

Flu, RSV Outbreaks Worsen as “Tripledemic” Threatens - 12/02/2022

Texas Medicine Today recently reported that influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory ailments are poised to overwhelm hospitals and clinics. The big question then was, would this problem get worse?

Preview Your MIPS Performance Data Before It Goes Public - 11/30/2022

Physicians participating in Medicare’s 2021 Quality Payment Program (QPP) have until Dec. 20 to preview their performance ratings before they are made publicly available in 2023.

National Heritage Months - 11/29/2022

Heritage Months

Physicians Can Save on Their 2022 Tax Bills With These Year-End Tips - 11/29/2022

After nearly three years of COVID-19 pandemic response, persistent Medicare pay cuts, and myriad other financial pressures, physicians may feel the weight of keeping their practice doors open. But they still have time to maximize their personal financial health ahead of the looming tax season.

Evidence-Based Strategies Key to Fighting Texas Suicide Rates - 11/29/2022

As 34.2% of adults in Texas report symptoms of anxiety and depression, Texas physicians are calling for the support and expansion of evidence-based strategies and telemedicine services to bolster mental health care across the state.

CDC Revises Opioid Guidelines in the Wake of Confusion, Overreaction - 11/29/2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued revised guidelines to help safely prescribe opioids, and one of the reasons, the agency freely admits, is to clear up confusion caused by its last set of guidelines issued in 2016.

TMA Joins Fight Against Scope Creep in “Sweeping” Federal Legislation - 11/21/2022

Organized medicine is banding together to oppose a piece of federal legislation that advocates say would expand the scope of practice for nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) like nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the expense of Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Fight Impending Medicare Cuts With This TMA Toolkit - 11/18/2022

Physician Medicare pay is about to fall without congressional help, so the Texas Medical Association created several ways for doctors to speak out via its Medicare Pay Cuts Toolkit.

Sponsored Content – Open Enrollment: Control Costs and Get Better Health Insurance for 2023 - 11/16/2022

Do you like shopping for health insurance? We didn’t think so. Poring over the details of plans, comparing carriers, and calculating costs can be complicated and time-consuming.

Beware of Phony TMB, DEA Agents and Other Scams - 11/15/2022

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.

Behavioral Health, Suicide Prevention the Focus of TMA’s Next Distinguished Speaker Series - 11/15/2022

Join experts on Nov. 17 from noon to 1 pm to learn how to improve the behavioral health care systems that strengthen Texas communities and reduce suicide risk at the next Distinguished Speaker Series hosted by the Texas Medical Association and Texas Public Health Coalition (TPHC).

Save the Date for 2023 TMAF Gala: The Art of Medicine - 11/14/2022

Recognizing Fort Worth for its vibrant art scene and honoring physicians for treating each patient individually and with care, the Texas Medical Association Foundation’s 30th annual gala will celebrate the Art of Medicine on Friday, May 19,

Science Education Bolstered by TMA Science Teaching Awards - 11/14/2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed numerous gaps and shortfalls, it also has emphasized the need for science. The Texas Medical Association’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching help shine a light on the importance of science education to secure for the future of health care and more.

Feds Poised to Extend COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Through Spring 2023 - 11/14/2022

After continued advocacy by the Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, and other organizations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seems likely to extend the COVID-19 public health emergency  for an 11th time.

Take 15 Seconds to Encourage Flu Vaccinations - 11/11/2022

What if 15 seconds was all it took to educate and encourage your patients about getting their flu shots? TMA has added two new 15-second videos to its Vaccines Defend What Matters (VDWM) resources to help.

Marketplace Enrollment Could Help Blunt Potential Uninsured Surge as Public Health Emergency Ends - 11/11/2022

AA number of positive changes expanding access to and affordability of federal marketplace health plans could be coming just in time as Texas’ uninsured rate stands to worsen after the end of the public health emergency.

Suicide Risk in Kids With Adverse Childhood Experiences Exacerbated by Pandemic - 11/11/2022

Suicide and suicidal thoughts among high school students who have accumulated adverse childhood experiences became a concern among health care professionals before 2020. But the “social and educational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated concerns about adolescents’ mental health and suicidal behavior,” according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to Automate Payment Processes, Avoid Patient Debt - 11/09/2022

Maximizing automation functions within a practice management system can have many hidden benefits to physician practices, not the least of which is saving on costs and time – and heading off payment delays.

Flu and RSV Patients Filling Up Texas Hospitals - 11/08/2022

Two viral respiratory diseases – influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – have made an unwelcome early appearance this fall, causing cases to rise sharply weeks earlier than normal across the U.S.