Stories written by Phil West

Federal Changes May Narrow Certain Medicaid Eligibility Provisions, Boost Others - 10/17/2025

Changes on the horizon include a shortened timetable for giving new Medicaid applicants retroactive coverage, more frequent eligibility checks, and an expansion of the populations eligible for home and community-based services. Texas will also need to reconcile an issue concerning CHIP waiting periods and benefit caps.

Medicine Calls for Exemption to New $100,000 H-1B Visa Application Fee - 10/15/2025

International medical graduates (IMGs) make up about a quarter of Texas’ physician workforce, considering both licensed physicians and residents. But a White House executive order, requiring a new $100,000 fee for H-1B work visa applicants, could squeeze this crucial pipeline in meeting health care needs.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: TMA Defeats Concerning Vaccine Bills For Second Session in a Row - 10/02/2025

Two bills that did survive will took effect Sept. 1, one of which imposes a specific informed consent form on physicians.

Physicians Tout Augmented Intelligence, with Caveats, at Business of Medicine Conference - 09/25/2025

At this year’s event, augmented intelligence (AI) took center stage with multiple presentations on its practical applications for physicians. Presenters and TMA staff still caution against over-reliance and liability.

New Medicare Payment Complicated by Other Provisions in Proposed Rule - 09/25/2025

Despite a one-time pay increase, newly proposed adjustments in the 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule could offset the reprieve. This tops many issues TMA remarked upon in a lengthy comment letter to federal officials encompassing worrisome changes to certain quality payment programs and telemedicine flexibilities.

Physicians Brace for Expiration of ACA Tax Credits, Uninsured Fallout - 09/25/2025

An estimated 1.3 million Texans could lose coverage due to the combined effects of Affordable Care Act marketplace changes under OBBBA and the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of this year. “Physicians are definitely going to feel the effects.”

Medicare to Test Enhanced Technology Utilization Review in Texas - 09/16/2025

The Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model is set to debut in Texas and five other states in January 2026. It would require certain Medicare services to undergo “enhanced technology” review.

New Law Allows Health Plans to Steer Patients Via Incentives, Changes Ranking and Tiering Protections - 09/16/2025

Senate Bill 926, which took effect Sept. 1, authorizes certain health plans to steer patients toward certain physicians or health care entities via cost-sharing incentives. TMA advocacy secured provisions that help protect against deceitful steering and help physicians monitor and guard against errors.

Elective IV Therapy Law Tightens Physician Delegation and Oversight Guidelines - 09/09/2025

Concern about invasive medical acts performed by people without medical expertise, in settings such as “med spas” and “IV lounges,” led TMA to support the new law, which took effect Sept. 1. It provides the Texas Medical Board an additional enforcement tool and spells out more specific regulations.

TMA Analyzes Federal Changes for Texas Physicians - 09/08/2025

While many provisions in Congress’ budget bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), won’t take effect until 2027, TMA is already analyzing what the new law means for Texas physicians with one major theme emerging so far: By not adopting Medicaid expansion, Texas won’t be impacted the same way many other states will.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Texas Medicaid Enrollment, Eligibility Systems Get Modernization Funding - 09/08/2025

The Texas legislature preserved Medicaid allotments that TMA advocated for in the 2023 session, while providing funding to support two important online systems.

Digital-Age Doctors: What the 21st Century Cures Act Has Done to Change Physician Practice - 09/08/2025

Texas physicians have become more cognizant of electronic health records and innovations in augmented intelligence since the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Scope Creep Defense Preserves Physician-Led Care, Patient Safety - 09/04/2025

TMA's scope creep defense in the 2025 legislative session included an appeal to Gov. Abbott to veto a bill curtailing the Texas Medical Board.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Texas Physician Workforce Gets Budget Boost - 09/02/2025

Proven avenues to expand Texas’ physician workforce – via funding secured for undergraduate and graduate medical education (GME), loan repayment, and rural training programs, as well as supporting TMB’s efforts to process licenses for physicians moving to Texas from other

CMS Reopens Medicare Clinician Profile Review Period for Physicians - 08/25/2025

Physicians now get a second chance to review 2023 Quality Payment Program performance scores and other information made public on Medicare websites. The newly opened review period extends to Aug. 21

CMS Announces Latest Scores for Quality Payment Program - 08/22/2025

The Medicare Quality Payment Program will award a slightly higher percentage of positive payment adjustments in 2025 compared to 2024. However, the maximum will be considerably lower than last year’s.

Pharmacists’ Scope Would Expand Under Federal Bills - 08/21/2025

Under a pair of House and Senate bills, Medicare would allow pharmacists to test for and then treat four respiratory illnesses. Nearly 100 state medical associations and national specialty societies joined in opposing the potential legislation.

Texas Organization Leads Medicare Quality Improvement Program - 08/20/2025

Chronic disease management, behavioral health, and patient safety are among the priorities of a renewed Medicare program led by TMF Health Quality Institute. Prospective participants chosen can receive access to consulting services and resources.

Flood-Impacted Texas Physicians Granted New MIPS EUC Exception - 08/14/2025

In response to severe storms and flooding affecting Texas in July, physicians in impacted counties will receive automatic adjustments to their Merit-Based Incentive Payment System scores. Some physicians will still have the option to report data and receive a corresponding payment adjustment.

New Tool Assists with Medicaid Enrollment Challenges - 08/06/2025

Medicaid enrollment may now be easier for Texas physicians to navigate, thanks to an online tool that answers questions on the spot and lets users schedule troubleshooting appointments. TMA will monitor its performance and is seeking input from physicians who test it out.

How to Improve Patient Debt Collection Practices - 08/06/2025

TMA staff remind physicians that securing insurance information from patients before seeing them is a crucial first step in obtaining payment. They also offer advice on involving office staff and accountants in the process.

Tech Support: Physicians Willing to Adopt New Technologies Can Get Assistance from AI, EHRs – and TMA - 06/30/2025

The Texas Medical Association offers resources to help physicians gain greater mastery of potentially helpful technologies, including AI, EHRs, and telemedicine.

VA Seeking Refunds from Physicians for Past CHAMPVA Claims - 06/26/2025

Physicians may soon hear from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking refunds for payments it says were made in error. TMA has provided information on what steps physicians may take.

Local Alliances Contribute More Than $250,000 in Annual Support to Future Physicians and Nurses - 06/25/2025

A scholarship once funded by a book fair in Tyler and another for Dallas County nursing students are among the longest-running local alliance programs supporting health care in Texas since the 1950s. The TMA Foundation is helping to add even more impact.

Now is the Time: Texas Delegates to AMA Make a Strong Push for Fixing What Ails Medicare - 06/23/2025

Texas Medical Association members made their voices heard at the American Medical Association’s three-day National Advocacy Conference (NAC), Feb. 10-12, 2025, calling for a long-term Medicare payment fix.