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Practice e-Tips on Technology - 07/25/2023

TMA Practice e-Tips on issues such as electronic medical records (EMRs), and buying technology for your practice.

Patient-Physician Electronic Communication - 07/20/2023

Patient-Physician Electronic Communication, Report of the Council on Communication to the House of Delegates, May 2003

TMA Member Benefits: Future Proof - 07/19/2023

TMA Member Benefits: Future Proof In the past year, cyberattacks on healthcare facilities have increased by 35%. The cost of a breach can average of $402 per compromised record, plus fines. TMA makes robust security for your practice easy through education and services designed to manage the worst technology risks.

How to Renew Your Electronic Prescribing Hardship Waiver - 03/24/2023

Physicians and other prescribers in Texas must now electronically prescribe controlled substances (EPCS). However, prescribers who demonstrate financial or technical hardships, or other exceptional circumstances, are eligible for a waiver from the Texas Medical Board (TMB) that, if approved, grants a one-year delay. If the hardship persists, prescribers must renew that waiver annually.

TMA Urges CMS to Nix Penalties Related to E-Prescribing Controlled Substances - 10/14/2022

The Texas Medical Association is pushing back against proposed penalties for physicians who don’t electronically prescribe controlled substances.

Reactivate Your EHR’s Access to the PMP - 03/10/2022

With the state of Texas no longer covering the fees that allow physicians’ electronic health record (EHR) systems to integrate with the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP), physicians are now responsible for paying those fees. If you want your system integrated with the PMP, know your options and make sure you stay connected.

TMA Working to Stop PMP Fees - 08/04/2021

When Texas started requiring that physicians check the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP), the state appropriated funds to cover the licensing fee for the first two years. Effective Sept. 1, however, that fee is no longer covered

Free Google Tools That Give Your Practice a Boost - 04/22/2021

Google is more than just a search engine, it’s a marketing machine with robust tools you can leverage to grow your practice. These tips from TMA-approved vendor Officite look at several of those tools and how you can make them work for you.

Ask the Expert: What You Need to Know About E-Prescribing Controlled Substances - 03/22/2021

If you’re still unsure about new requirements that all Texas physicians electronically prescribe controlled substances, tune into a TMA “Ask the Expert” virtual discussion set for 6 pm (CT) Tuesday, March 23.

What You Need to Know About Mandatory E-Prescribing Controlled Substances - 01/12/2021

The Texas Medical Association has created a “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) document that can help you understand state and federal laws that went into effect Jan. 1 requiring physicians to electronically prescribe controlled substances as well as various waivers.

E-Prescribing of Controlled Substances to be Required Jan. 1 - 12/09/2020

Although state law and Medicare policy will require electronic prescriptions for all controlled substances beginning Jan. 1, Texas prescribers have several options for delaying implementation for at least another year.

Microsoft Windows, Server Systems Vulnerable to Hackers, Feds Warn - 01/17/2020

Texas physicians should look out for a security weakness in Microsoft Windows 10, Server 2016, and Server 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said this week.

Laptop Encryption Helps You Stay HIPAA Compliant - 12/19/2019

If you or your practice store financial or patient information on laptop computers, you could face hefty fines if those devices are lost or stolen. Thankfully, one important step toward protecting patient data, and yourself, is simple thanks to widely available encryption tools.

Looking to Implement Remote Patient Monitoring Technology In Your Practice? - 11/08/2019

How do you successfully implement remote patient monitoring technology in your practice? Answers to that question and many more can be found in the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Digital Health Implementation Playbook.

Medical Devices Could Be Vulnerable to Hackers, FDA Warns - 10/02/2019

Certain medical devices and hospital communications networks could contain cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could allow a remote attacker to take control of the device and change its function, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned on Tuesday.

Why You Need to Prepare for Voice Search - 05/31/2019

Voice search, such as through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple Siri, is becoming an essential part of modern life. In fact, 72% of voice device owners use it as part of their daily routine. Neglecting this growing technology could cause your practice to miss out on potential patients. But adapting a voice-first mindset could help you attract new patients and stay connected to current ones.

Four Ways To Improve Your Practice’s E-Prescribing - 02/26/2019

E-prescribing has become commonplace in most practices, but, as with most new technology, there are still lessons to be learned to improve the quality of electronic prescriptions.

Texas Doctors Seek Red-Tape Reduction to Help Patients in Need - 06/07/2018

The 34-member Texas Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates will ask the policymaking body to adopt a resolution this week to help patients with disabilities get devices to help them move, and another to allow physicians to prescribe medications electronically for patients they know.

Help Improve E-Prescription Accuracy - 05/24/2018

To improve the accuracy of its e-prescribing system, Surescripts is recommending specific enhancements, and it wants you to respond to a brief survey to validate its recommendations.

16 Ways to Stay Cyber Secure - 04/19/2018

More than four-fifths of physicians have experienced some sort of cyber attack in their practice, according to a survey published by the American Medical Association. Many attacks could have been avoided with internal controls and staff training.

Ransomware: Are Your Medical Records Safe From Attack? - 02/08/2018

Thousands of physicians lost access to patient records due to the Allscripts ransomware attack at the electronic health record (EHR) vendor’s Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., data centers Jan. 18. This is a good time to review and update contingency plans so your practice will be prepared if patient information is not available at the point of care.

Tips for an Effective Practice Website - 06/23/2016

Tips for an Effective Practice Web Site