News

Governor Vetoes Bill Gutting Medical Board - 12/30/2025

The full force of TMA advocacy came to bear in the veto of Senate Bill 268, which would have eviscerated an important Texas Medical Board function: halting the unlicensed practice of medicine by health professionals licensed by another Texas agency.

CMS Delivers Temporary Bump to Medicare Pay in 2026, Among Sweeping Changes in Proposed Fee Schedule - 12/30/2025

A temporary, one-year 2.5% Medicare payment update across the board reflects requirements Congress approved in its final budget. The proposal also includes, for the first time, two separate conversion factors with slight, albeit permanent, updates aimed at promoting value-based care.

Physicians Must Disclose AI Use Alongside Existing HIPAA Requirements, Per State Laws - 12/30/2025

Texas Senate Bill 1188 and Texas House Bill 149 require physicians to follow certain disclosure requirements when using artificial intelligence (AI). As these laws take effect, Texas physicians should ensure compliance in conjunction with HIPAA mandates.

Vaccine Uptake Improves Amid Measles Momentum - 12/30/2025

With measles spreading to another corner of the state and showing little sign of slowing, adjusted vaccine recommendations apply to residents of and visitors to 10 affected counties. TMA Foundation grants are available to support vaccine clinics.

Direct Payment Model Available to All Texas Physicians Under New State Law - 12/30/2025

House Bill 541, now in effect, replaces the “direct primary care” nomenclature from a TMA-backed 2015 law with the more inclusive “direct patient care.” In a typical direct care model, patients pay a monthly fee, and in return, receive services like office visits and in-office procedures without involving insurance.

Medicine Whelms Nurse Scope Expansion Bill - 12/30/2025

Physicians from across the state made the trek to the Capitol to testify that House Bill 3974 would dismantle Texas’ longstanding physician-led care model and with it, patient safety. TMA and the legislature remain committed to quality solutions to the state’s access-to-care challenges.

U.S. Main Residency Match Reveals New and Growing Specialty Interests - 12/30/2025

This year’s match results show growth in osteopathy, a rebound in emergency medicine and pediatrics, and obstetrics holding steady.

Cigna Clarifies Terms, Conditions of Its High-Level E/M Downcoding Policy - 12/30/2025

In communication with TMA, Cigna confirmed its policy will not apply to all physicians and those subject to it can request to be removed from the review process under certain circumstances. Nevertheless, the limited scope of the “exemption” could still represent a significant operational and financial challenge for some practices.

Ten Specialties Show Lower Intent-to-Quit Rates - 12/30/2025

With nearly one-third of physicians reporting an intention to leave their current organization in the next two years, an American Medical Association survey shows the 10 specialties with the lowest percentages, likely due to progress on burnout rates.

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Retains Payment Increase and Concerning Cuts - 12/24/2025

A new practice efficiency cut impacting thousands of codes and a cut targeting hospital-based services could offset a one-time payment boost. TMA staff are poring over the 1,216-page final rule ahead of its Nov. 20 webinar, free for physicians.

Federal Loan Changes Could Exacerbate Medical Students’ Financial Challenges - 12/24/2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act caps students’ borrowing for professional schools – including medical schools – at $50,000 annually, with a total limit of $257,500. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Federal Changes May Narrow Certain Medicaid Eligibility Provisions, Boost Others - 12/24/2025

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.

“What If I’m Running Low on PPE?” - 12/17/2025

One of the biggest challenges physicians have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic is keeping themselves, their staff, and their patients safe while still providing the best possible care.  Unfortunately, demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) is exceeding supply because of an extreme surge in pati

Medicaid Revalidation Extended Again - 12/17/2025

Physicians who were disenrolled and have already submitted Medicaid revalidation applications now have until Jan. 31, 2026, to complete the process. Those with revalidation applications due by the end of May 2026 also received additional time to complete the process.

Medicare Freezes Thresholds for MIPS Exemption - 12/15/2025

If you’re in a Qualifying Alternative Payment Model (APM) in Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP), or you’re considering making the jump, take note: The thresholds for participating this year are now the same as in 2020 thanks to recent federal law.

Medicine Supports Congressional Effort to Streamline Medicare Advantage Prior Auth - 12/15/2025

Prior authorization continues to cause delays in care and poorer patient health outcomes. A 2022 report shows that some Medicare Advantage claims that were denied would have been accepted under traditional Medicare guidelines.

WISeR’s Texas Administrators Coordinate with TMA to Ease Transition - 12/12/2025

Aiming to smooth the transition for physicians impacted by a new Medicare prior authorization pilot, the Texas Medical Association is coordinating with Cohere Health, the entity responsible for processing the program’s requests in Texas.

Clinic Uses AI for Better Patient-Physician Interactions - 12/10/2025

Their transcription tool, powered by artificial intelligence, is fully integrated within the electronic health record, leaving physicians with the ability to focus entirely on the patient in front of them.

Texas Can’t Afford for Congress to Let ACA Tax Credits Expire - 12/08/2025

Lawmakers must realize what’s at stake by not firming up a deal that keeps the credits in place: higher health care costs, poorer health outcomes and further destabilization of our health system. This opinion-editorial first appeared in the Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 4, 2025.

TMA’s LGBTQ Health Section Elects New Leaders - 12/04/2025

The LGBTQ Health Section kicked off its status as the Texas Medical Association’s newest section by electing a fresh slate of top officers. Newly elected section Chair Maria Monge, MD, encouraged TMA physicians and medical students to join the section whether or not they identify as LGBTQ.

Free Early-Career Education for Residency Programs Open for 2026 - 12/04/2025

Each “Starting Your Career” seminar is conducted live or online by TMA’s practice management experts and focuses on nonclinical skills critical to starting or entering practice.

More Telehealth Waivers Set to Expire Dec. 31 - 12/04/2025

As TMA monitors the government shutdown and the coinciding expiration of certain telehealth waivers as of Sept. 30, physicians should take notice of another series of telehealth waivers set to expire at the end of this year.

Inaugural TexMed Blood Drive Augments Whole Blood Efforts - 12/04/2025

The blood drive will take place April 17-18, 2026. Earlier this year, physician leaders joined other stakeholders to request funding for whole blood. Now, TMA looks to support and strengthen efforts as funds roll out.

Advocacy, Passion Motivates Medical Student Scholarship Winners - 12/04/2025

The Harris County Medical Alliance Scholarship has awarded close to half a million dollars in its history. This year, 16 medical students at three Houston schools are receiving scholarships.

One Physician’s 50-Year Journey to Make Sure Empathy is a Part of Patient Care - 12/04/2025

Fazlur Rahman, MD, made San Angelo his home more than a half-century ago. Over that time, he’s made it his mission to stress how bedside compassion is just as important as science in caring for patients.