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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?


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.


TMA Experts Dispel Myths of Medical Records - 12/08/2023

Confused about whether your practice can charge fees when fulfilling a request for a copy of medical record?


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.


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.


Keep Patients Prepared with Good Medical Recordkeeping - 07/25/2023

Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean opened June 1 and typically runs through November, and Texas physicians and patients alike may be bracing for the possibility of property damage and displacement.


Charging a Fee to Complete Forms - 07/20/2023

Can practices charge a fee to complete individual disability income claims forms?


Use Medical Record Templates With Care - 10/07/2022

Some medical offices opt to use templates in creating electronic medical records. While templates can be wonderful timesavers, do not use them without precaution.


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.


Records Requests in an OIG Investigation - 04/13/2022

This submitted article from the Texas Office of the Inspector General details the requirements of the agency's provider record reviews and how you can be prepared and compliant if OIG requests patient records.


Withholding Copies of Records for Failure to Pay Copy Fee - 03/18/2022

Do we have to provide a patient copies of requested medical records if the patient fails to pay the copying fee?


20 Everyday HIPAA Tips - 10/13/2021

 The goal of HIPAA is to make sure the protected health information you are responsible for or come into contact with remains confidential, secure, and available when you need it. Here are basic steps every practice can take to help make this happen.  


20 Everyday HIPAA Tips to Help You Stay Compliant - 10/13/2021

The goal of HIPAA is to make sure the protected health information you are responsible for or come into contact with remains confidential, secure, and available when you need it. Here are basic steps every practice can take to help make this happen.


Take Our Medical Records Quiz - 09/16/2021

Questions abound when it comes to managing medical records because they are subject to many rules and regulations. Can you answer these commonly asked questions about medical records?


Cures Act Changes Medical Records Requirements: TMA White Paper - 09/10/2021

Keep up to date with your requirements under the law when it comes to medical record releases with the Texas Medical Association’s recently updated white paper, “Patient Access and Consent to the Release of Medical Records." The updates account for recent changes to federal law.


Patient Privacy’s New Frontier: AMA Aims to Keep Apps Honest With Personal Health Data - 12/01/2020

In the evolving world of health information technology, some vendors that store and transmit health information – such as the tech minds behind certain mobile apps – are getting their hands on patient data without any HIPAA leash to rein in their use of it. Now, organized medicine is doing its part to preserve patients’ privacy when their health information finds its way outside of HIPAA-covered organizations.


TMA to AG: Protect Physician Data from Open Records Request - 11/23/2020

The Texas Medical Association is fighting to keep confidential the personal and financial data of physicians who recently participated in an independent dispute resolution process created by Texas’ surprise billing law – Senate Bill 1264.


Surprise Billing Records Request Could Make Physicians’ Personal, Financial Data Public - 11/12/2020

The clock is ticking to file an objection with the Texas Attorney General’s office to protect some of your personal and financial data that could be made public through an open-records request filed with the Texas Department of Insurance.


Upgraded Free Tool Helps With HIPAA Compliance - 10/12/2020

If you participate in the Medicare Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), you must complete your security risk assessment by Dec. 31. An upgraded tool from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services might make the assessment easier.


Is Your Patients’ HIPAA-Protected Information Secure? - 05/13/2020

A guide from TMA-endorsed DocbookMD helps smaller practices understand the risks of using mobile devices and how to stay HIPAA-secure.


Taking Privacy to a New Level: Texas Lowers Reporting Threshold for Security Breaches - 01/27/2020

Federal requirements have not changed, but starting Jan. 1, breach notification requirements will become even more stringent for Texas physicians or medical entities. The Texas Legislature dropped the threshold for breach reporting from 500 patients to 250. House Bill 4390 also requires medical entities to report breaches to the Texas attorney general’s office within 60 days of the breach.


Keep Your Records Straight and HIPAA-Compliant With TMA CME - 01/21/2020

TMA’s in-depth publication, Managing Your Medical Records, will help physicians and front office staff better understand the rules of consent, release, and disclosure. Get up to speed on everything from practical, efficient methods for record organization to best practices for record storage that’s HIPAA- and HITECH-compliant.