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2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Measles Outbreak and E-Cigarettes Shape Session Debates - 08/27/2025

As the 2025 legislative session got underway, the largest measles outbreak in Texas since 2000 dominated the headlines. So, when TMA physicians advocated for vaccination, legislators were more cognizant of the stakes involved than in previous sessions.   “Some

Cigna Downcoding Policy Threatens Payment; TMA Urges Repeal - 08/18/2025

The payer announced a new plan under which it may adjust certain higher-level evaluation and management codes based on the encounter criteria in a submitted claim.

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.

What’s Better, Immunity From a Shot, or From the Disease? - 07/21/2025

Although suffering through a disease sometimes gives you immunity from catching that same disease later in life, vaccinating against diseases instead is the safest way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Texas Physicians Explain Herd Immunity Needed to Fight Contagious-Disease Hotspots - 07/21/2025

A community with enough vaccinated people can protect each other from the spread of contagious disease. Herd immunity – also known as community immunity – protects those who are not immune and those who cannot or choose not to get vaccinated.

TMA Grants to Help Your Practice Improve Local Vaccination Rates - 07/17/2025

Apply for a grant. Vaccines Defend What Matters (formerly Be Wise – Immunize) is TMA’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas. 

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.

TMA Grants Build Community Connections for Underserved Patients - 06/24/2025

Applications are open through Aug. 22 for Vaccines Defend What Matters local impact grants. The $3,500 grants, funded by the TMA Foundation, can be used to vaccinate underserved and uninsured populations and toward outreach initiatives that address vaccine hesitancy. Read more.

Apply for Local Impact Grants to Provide Free Immunizations in Your Community - 05/15/2025

Applications are open for TMA Foundation grants of up to $3,500 to support vaccine provision and education. The deadline to apply for the current cycle of grants is May 23, and the funds can be put to use in a variety of ways to serve your community.  

Why You Need a Written Payment Policy - 03/19/2025

If your practice is wishy-washy about your payment policy, you essentially are allowing each patient to make his or her own policy. What other business allows its customers to decide when and how they will pay?

Talk to Patients About: Measles - 02/24/2025

Few Americans today remember when measles was deadly. But before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, the disease killed about 2.6 million globally each year. By 2016, vaccination programs cut that number to about 89,000.

Don’t Overlook Credit Card Processing Fees - 02/14/2025

In today’s world of coinsurance and high-deductible health plans, more of a practice’s revenue comes from the patient, and taking credit cards has become a must. But are you paying too much for credit card processing services?

Aetna Reverses NPP Payment Reduction Under Incident-To Billing - 02/12/2025

Aetna previously intended to pay nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) 85% of the allowable amount, regardless of whether they billed directly or “incident-to” a physician’s diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, the payer upholds a new credentialing requirement.

Your Billing and Collections Checklist for 2025 - 01/10/2025

TMA’s Reimbursement Services staff work year-round with physicians and health plans to help make sure you get paid correctly and on time. They’ve put together a list of practical actions you can take at the start of 2024 to keep your billing and collections on track throughout the year.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Protect Immunizations to Protect Public Health - 01/06/2025

TMA will work to safeguard immunizations this legislative session.

Talk to Patients About: Varicella - 09/19/2024

The varicella-zoster virus  does double-duty: It can cause chickenpox when you’re young and reactivate later in life as a painful, blistery rash called shingles. Well, there’s a vaccine for each disease.

Talk to Patients About: Rubella - 09/19/2024

The virus that causes rubella often appears deceptively mild — so mild in fact that one-quarter to half of people infected with it will have no symptoms at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccination is the best protection.

CMS Ups Seasonal Flu Vaccine Payment - 09/09/2024

On Aug. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services increased payments to physicians for influenza vaccines and updated which codes physicians should use when billing for the service during the 2024-25 flu season.

TMA Vaccination Grants Connect Hard-to-Reach Patients; Apply by May 1 - 03/28/2024

Dozens of patients in the Lubbock area are up to date on their vaccinations thanks to a local impact grant from the Texas Medical Association, which has opened the latest 2024 application cycle for vaccine outreach programs until May 1.

Medicare Sunsets Beleaguered Appropriate Use Criteria Program - 03/14/2024

After longstanding opposition from the Texas Medical Association and others, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finally nixed the appropriate use criteria program for advanced diagnostic services as part of the 2024 Medicare physician fee schedule.

Measles: Updated Information and Resources Available to Fight Rising Cases - 02/21/2024

As measles cases continue to rise in Texas and across the U.S., the Texas Medical Association and Texas Hospital Association have created a document to help physicians and other health care professionals combat the highly contagious respiratory illness. The document provides the latest recommendations for diagnosing and reporting measles, immunizations, infection prevention and control, and post-exposure prophylaxis and exclusion.

Revenue Cycle Assessment - 01/22/2024

A TMA consultant will conduct a review of your business office operations that focuses on front desk procedures, billing, collections and revenue cycle improvement. We will identify opportunities for improvement of billing processes and procedures.

Practice Operations Services - 01/22/2024

With the many challenges that face today's medical practices, business operations remain at the core of a practice's ability to be successful and profitable. Work with a TMA practice management consultant to identify and assess key or problematic areas of your practice.

Financial Management Services - 01/22/2024

Having sound financial policies and processes can help your practice attain a steady cash flow, maintain healthy collection ratios, increase staff efficiencies, and boost your overall bottom line.

Apply for a Grant to Help Promote Vaccines - 12/14/2023

More than ever, medicine needs its soldiers to promote the safety, efficacy, and importance of vaccines.