Related Stories

Noncompete Concerns Spark Ongoing TMA Advocacy, Resources - 09/19/2023

The Texas Medical Association continues to receive reports of physician concerns over noncompete agreements, underscoring medicine’s ongoing legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts to strike a balance that works for physician employers and employed physicians alike.

Judgment Calls: Court Victory Highlights Importance of Corporate Practice of Medicine Laws - 06/07/2023

Hospital Internists of Texas was pitted against a multibillion-dollar company in a corporate practice of medicine lawsuit. At the trial court level, a Travis County district court jury awarded the Austin medical practice more than $10.2 million.

TMA Analyzes FTC Proposed Ban on Noncompetes - 03/09/2023

The interplay between federal and state efforts to ban noncompete agreements remains unclear as Texas Medical Association experts analyze a proposed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule on the matter.

Deal or No Deal: Negotiating Contracts - 11/28/2022

Maximize your leverage when negotiating a health plan contract.

Texas Administrative Code: Medical Disclosure Forms - 10/07/2022

Texas Administrative Code: Medical Disclosure Forms

Informed Consent - 10/07/2022

Informed Consent

How to Respond to a Subpoena - 10/07/2022

How to Respond to a Subpoena

Do Appointments Establish a Patient-Physician Relationship? - 10/07/2022

When a new patient makes an appointment with my office, does that establish a patient-physician relationship between the patient and me?

Who Can Consent to Immunization of Minors? - 09/28/2022

Who in Texas can consent to immunization of minors?

Copy Fees for Mental Health Records - 09/28/2022

Do Texas Medical Board rules regarding fees for copying medical records apply to mental health records? TMA’s newly updated, free white paper answers this question about fees and more.

Contract Do’s and Don’ts: How to Negotiate From a Place of Strength - 06/29/2022

By leaning on Texas Medical Association resources and their own health care attorney, physicians can gain confidence and better negotiate favorable terms to secure their economic success.

Surgeon’s Multimillion-Dollar Defamation Award Tossed by Texas Supreme Court - 05/16/2022

The Texas Supreme Court has nullified a $6.4 million jury verdict for a Houston cardiothoracic surgeon in his lawsuit alleging defamation and business disparagement by Memorial Hermann Hospital System.    

Ten Tips for Getting a Good Deal From Your Tech Vendor - 04/13/2022

Technology is an integral part of modern health care. But how can you pursue the best possible deal from your technology vendor? Larry Chu, MD, a member of the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Health Information Technology, says you need to sweat the details of your vendor contract.

These Workplace Posters Should Be on Your Walls - 10/28/2021

Along with any decorative prints or motivational signs that might adorn the walls in the employees-only areas of your practice, posters about up to a dozen lawsmust be on display.

The Finer Points of Professional Courtesy - 08/20/2021

The Finer Points of Professional Courtesy

Learn the Ins and Outs of Contract Negotiation At Free Virtual Discussion - 12/04/2020

Join your Texas Medical Association colleagues for a virtual discussion on contract negotiation, scheduled for 6 to 7 pm (CT) Thursday, Dec. 10.

House Will Study Behavioral Health, Early Childhood Intervention, and More - 12/02/2019

Among a number of health care-related topics, the Texas House of Representatives during the interim “off” year in 2020 will study the state’s behavioral health system, child trafficking prevention, and the effect of technology and “big data” on insurance. House Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) released the chamber’s interim charges last week.

7 Things You Must Know Before Signing an Employment Contract - 07/02/2019

A good contract by definition is one that is fair and reasonable and is a win-win situation for everyone involved. But how do physicians ensure they are getting a good contract before agreeing to work for a hospital or group practice?

Capital Gains: Attracting Investors Without Losing Independence - 01/02/2019

Can physicians line up venture capital without letting go of their independence? It’s not so easy.

How to Get Out of a Bad Vendor Contract - 08/24/2017

While physicians who enter into bad consumer contracts they want to get out of would be advised to work with their own attorneys, Texas law has protections for consumers.

When Drug Enforcement Agents Come Knocking - 05/02/2017

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents turn up in your office wanting to ask you questions. They announce they have a right to inspect your records without warning. ...

Physical Therapy in a Physician’s Office - 03/16/2017

Is it legal for me or one of my employees to perform “physical therapy” within the confines of my medical practice office, or would that violate a licensing code?

Four Stark Law Tips Worth Noting - 12/06/2016

The Stark (physician self-referral) and antikickback laws are nothing if not complicated. That’s why we asked the health care attorney who “wrote the book” on these topics to highlight a few areas that may be of interest to many physicians.

Deadline for Business Associate Agreements: Sept. 22 - 11/08/2016

If you are a HIPAA covered entity, all of your business associate (BA) agreements must comply with the HIPAA Omnibus Rule by Sept. 22, 2014.

How to Prepare and Conduct a Case in Small Claims Court - 06/03/2016

How to Prepare and Conduct a Case in Small Claims Court