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HIPAA and Medical Power of Attorney - 03/20/2024

Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule change the way in which a person can grant another person medical power of attorney?


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.


Stop Paying to Get Paid - 02/28/2024

Did you know you don’t have to accept health plan payment via virtual credit card? You have a right to request direct deposit.


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

Practice E-Tips on Billing and Collections


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. 


Feds Update HIPAA Security Risk Assessment Tool - 11/01/2023

To aid small- and medium-sized practices in complying with the HIPAA Security Rule, federal officials have updated their risk assessment tool designed to help practices identify areas where electronic  protected health information (ePHI) is at risk.


Three Ways to Achieve Four Important Fee Schedule Traits - 08/30/2023

By paying careful attention to your practice fee schedule, you’ll not only ensure you are getting paid insurers’ allowable charges but you also may help make sure health plans pay you on time.


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.


New Texas Law Shortens Data Breach Notification Period - 08/21/2023

Texas physician practices and other health care facilities soon will be required to give more timely and public notice of any breaches of computerized data, including electronic health records and billing information.


HIPAA Security Rule: Move It to Top of Mind - 08/07/2023

Problems with HIPAA Security Rule safeguards, both administrative and technical, continue to fall among the top five HIPAA security issues the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identifies each year.


Security Risk Analysis for HIPAA — and Medicare/Medicaid? - 08/07/2023

Do you need to conduct a security risk analysis or review of your practice in the next 72 days?


Your Photocopier May Be a Security Risk - 08/07/2023

Don’t let this happen to you! A health plan paid a huge fine after it returned leased copiers that held protected health information.


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


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.


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.


Here’s Your Billing and Collections Checklist for 2023 - 01/06/2023

TMA’s Reimbursement Services staff work year round with physicians and health plans to help make sure you get paid correctly and on time. They’ve put together a list of practical actions you can take at the start of 2023 to keep your billing and collections on track throughout the year.


New FAQ Offers Information on Virtual Credit Card Payments - 07/20/2022

Federal authorities are clarifying the legality of health plans paying claims through virtual credit cards, which typically result in fees for practices.


A Long-Overdue Fix: Comprehensive Medicare Reform Could Halt Pay Cuts - 03/31/2022

Physicians say Medicare reform is the only solution to the problem of periodic pay cuts  – and they’re prepared to fight for it.