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TMA Moment in Time: AMA Presidents - 04/09/2024

Texas' git-er-done approach has launched TMA physicians to the AMA presidency.

Medicare May Seek Payment Recoupment for 2023 Claims - 04/09/2024

A new report by the Government Accountability Office shows physicians may face possible recoupments – or additional payment – for claims filed in 2023 as a result of over and underpayments by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs.

Physicians May Face Lower Payment as CMS Resumes Lab Data Collection - 03/11/2024

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will continue to collect data from physician-owned laboratories to inform private payer rates despite pushback from the Texas Medical Association.

Practice E-Tips on Billing and Collections - 02/20/2024

Practice E-Tips on Billing and Collections

AMA President-Elect Acclaims TMA Advocacy for Scope, Prior Auth Wins - 01/30/2024

Texas physicians’ advocacy accomplishments both in the state and alongside the American Medical Association earned praise from AMA’s president-elect at the Texas Medical Association’s Leadership Summit on Jan. 27.

Spending Growth Rate for Physician Services Slows - 01/09/2024

Although spending on physician and clinical services increased 2.7% year-over-year to $884.9 billion in 2022, the spending growth rate fell, due in part to a slowdown in the use of such services and in physician prices. In comparison, spending on physicians and clinical services grew 5.3% in 2021.

How to File a Medicare Extended Repayment Plan - 12/06/2023

  Extended repayment plans (ERPs) are an option for returning overpaid money to Medicare. Ideally, you should request an ERP immediately after receiving the initial demand letter. However, you can request an extended payment plan any time while the overpayment is outstanding. 

Texas Delegation Helps Stop Single-Payer Push at AMA Interim Meeting - 11/30/2023

Texas medicine made its voice heard on a wide variety of national issues at the meeting in Washington D.C., achieving success in four priority areas: supporting Medicare payment reform, opposing a single-payer system, securing tighter restrictions on nonphysician practitioners, and preventing the use of virtual credit cards.

AMA Launches National Study of Physician Practice Expenses - 10/11/2023

With the backing of the Texas Medical Association and 172 other health care organizations, the American Medical Association recently launched a survey of U.S. physicians to better understand practice expenses and to support its advocacy for physician payment reform.

CMS to Recoup Chronic Care Management Payments - 08/21/2023

Some Texas physicians and outpatient facilities might have to refund payments they received for chronic care management services performed during 2015 and 2016 under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, federal officials said.

Preauthorization Denial: What’s Your Recourse? - 07/25/2023

So a health plan has denied your preauthorization request for a patient’s treatment. What options do you have?

5010 Deadline Extended; Dual Eligible Problem Not Fixed - 07/25/2023

Acknowledging that many physicians and billing entities still aren't ready, federal officials are giving physicians three more months before it begins enforcing the use of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) 5010 transaction standards. The new deadline is June 30.

What Stimulus Means to Texas Health Care - 07/25/2023

State health officials have released preliminary information on major health and human services allocations for Texas in the $789 billion economic stimulus bill President Obama signed. The largest portion is $5.45 billion for Medicaid through the first quarter of 2011.

Practice e-Tips on Claims - 07/20/2023

Appeals Appealing Claims Can Have Appealing Results   Claim Forms Multiple Place-of-Service Codes on a Single 1500 Claim Form   Fees New Laws Require Billing Di

Practice e-Tips on Reimbursement - 07/20/2023

Billing & Fees Claims Coding & Documentation Collections Copayments & Deductibles Medicaid & Medicare Workers' Comp Billing & Fees Are You Missing Out on Your Money?    Billi

You Can Get Paid for Medicaid Emergency Services - 07/20/2023

You Can Get Paid for Medicaid Emergency Services

Texas Leads National Charge for Medicare Physician Payment Reform - 06/14/2023

The Texas Delegation to the American Medical Association led the charge for more concrete action to achieve comprehensive Medicare physician payment reform , resulting in new AMA policy calling for less “talk” and more “action” to ensure access to care for patients.

Strength in Numbers: Texas Physicians Shape Health Care Policy at AMA - 05/25/2023

The Texas Medical Association wields its influence in two ways: through the Texas Delegation to the American Medical Association and through membership on the AMA’s various councils and committees.

Physicians’ Economic Impact Felt in Rural Texas and Nationwide - 05/02/2023

In Texas, physicians create more than 670,000 jobs and generate almost $118 billion in state economic activity, according to a new report.

Congress Weighs Legislation Tying Medicare Physician Payments to Inflation - 04/26/2023

Heeding advocacy by the Texas Medical Association and others in organized medicine, Congress is weighing bipartisan legislation that would index Medicare physician payments to inflation, overriding cuts scheduled to take effect in 2024.

Mending Medicare: Federal Spending Law Reduces Physician Pay Cut Amid Reform Push - 04/12/2023

A massive federal spending law took effect in late 2022, delivering a smaller-than-scheduled Medicare physician pay cut in 2023, but the Texas Medical Association and others in organized medicine continue to push for comprehensive reform.

TMA to Congress: Tie Medicare Physician Payment to Inflation - 03/29/2023

As part of a broader push for Medicare payment reform, the Texas Medical Association, along with the American Medical Association and 133 national specialty and state medical associations, recently called on Congress to index Medicare physician payments to inflation.

Labs – Including Those Run by Physicians – Face New Reporting Requirement in 2023 - 03/14/2023

Starting Jan. 1, medical laboratories – including physician-owned labs – face a reporting requirement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that will create a paperwork burden and could negatively affect payment rates.

AMA President Commends TMA’s Advocacy on Medicare Pay, Prior Auth, Physician Wellness - 01/30/2023

In a rare and distinguished opportunity, the president of the American Medical Association paid a visit to the Texas Medical Association at its Winter Conference on Jan. 28, praising Texas physicians for their advocacy accomplishments in several key areas that align with AMA’s Recovery Plan for Physicians.

Amplified by AMA: Participation in AMA Can Improve Texas Medicine - 01/11/2023

The Texas Medical Association's impact on the national stage hinges in part on the activism of roughly three dozen TMA members who serve as representatives to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, the principal policymaking body of AMA.