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Honored by AMA, Dallas Health Authority Reflects on TMA Collaborations - 03/04/2026

Recently presented with an Award for Outstanding Government Service, Philip Huang, MD, believes TMA’s credibility, legislative advocacy and organizational heft played a major role in shaping public health issues.

A Collaborative Process: Sections Empower Next Generation of Physicians - 02/27/2026

Medical Student, Resident and Fellow Sections empower the next generation of physicians to carry the TMA mantle.   

NPI Requirements Changing for Off-Campus Outpatient Hospital Departments - 02/26/2026

Starting in 2028, each off-campus outpatient hospital department will need its own National Provider Identifier (NPI) separate from the main hospital’s. Payments to hospitals could be impacted by the policy change, which in turn could affect hospital-employed physicians and practice owners partnering with hospitals.

County Medical Societies - 02/13/2026

Links to Texas County Medical Societies

Deadline Extended for Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee Positions - 02/06/2026

Three positions are accepting applications by Feb. 24. Several physicians currently serving TMA also participate in the Texas Department of State Health Services-led committee, which makes recommendations to the Texas Legislature to help reduce the number of pregnancy-related deaths and complications in the state.

Medicare Modifier 25 Documentation Under Microscope Following Federal Report - 02/04/2026

A recent federal audit focused on Medicare payments for eye injections revealed overwhelmingly high improper payment rates for evaluation and management services billed with modifier 25 usage. TMA provides information on how to help physicians avoid denials.

TMA’s Leadership Collective Strengthens Physician Trailblazers - 02/03/2026

The event included a lively presentation that fielded both physicians’ questions and ideas, resulting in attendees learning key strategies – and leaving with new connections with peers.

Medicare Judicial Dispute Threshold Increases in 2026 - 01/28/2026

Physicians who take initial steps to dispute Medicare or Medicare Advantage decisions, upon receiving unfavorable reviews, can opt for two quasi-judicial pathways to resolve the case. However, the amount in controversy in the underlying dispute must meet a minimum amount, which has risen 11% over the past four years.

Physicians Can Become Influencers with New TMA Resource - 01/15/2026

TMA’s new academy is a self-paced program that educates physicians on how to become social media influencers by focusing on basic building blocks like branding, messaging, storytelling, and beyond.

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.

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.

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.

TMA Council, Committee Applications Due Jan. 9 - 12/03/2025

The weeks leading up to TexMed, TMA’s annual policymaking conference, mean new members are selected for TMA’s councils and committees – the engine driving medicine’s grassroots advocacy. Physicians interested in serving or recommending a colleague to serve must submit nominations by Jan. 9, 2026.

Medicare Fee Schedule Webinar Highlights Telemedicine, New Specialty Initiatives - 11/26/2025

In addition to uneven payment news, TMA shared the latest on telemedicine, coding changes, and new initiatives set to launch in 2026 and 2027.

Notify Medicare of Participation Changes by Dec. 31 - 11/25/2025

TMA reminds all physicians to check their Medicare participation information to make sure it is current. Those changing their status in 2026 will need to send notification via mail.

Medicare’s Quality Payment Program Won’t Support Internet Explorer 11 - 11/24/2025

Due to security concerns, Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) will no longer support the Internet Explorer (IE) 11 browser beginning on Oct. 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced.

Resolutions Due Jan. 30 for House of Delegates Consideration - 11/19/2025

With TexMed set a little earlier than usual this year in April, TMA’s House of Delegates is already gearing up its policymaking process. And good TMA policy starts with good resolution-writing, which can be done by any member.

Medicare Proposal Offers More Flexibility for ACOs - 11/13/2025

A proposed regulation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would give certain accountable care organizations (ACOs) leeway to move at their own pace in graduating through the different levels of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and the Texas Medical Association wants to ensure that flexibility sticks.

Physicians Must Refund Medicare Overpayments Voluntarily, Program Administrator Cautions - 11/13/2025

Novitas, Texas’ Medicare administrator, reminds physicians they should promptly bring incorrect payments to its attention. TMA can assist physicians with payment issues through its Physician Payment Resource Center.

Touting Texas: David N. Henkes, MD, Championed the State’s Physicians in 25 Years on the AMA Delegation - 11/13/2025

David N. Henkes, MD, recalls his first American Medical Association meeting in San Francisco as a new member of the Texas Delegation to the AMA. The November 2001 conference was, in a word, “overwhelming.”

Now Is the Time: Texas Delegates to AMA Make a Strong Push for Fixing What Ails Medicare - 11/13/2025

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.

Learn Medicare Payment Updates, Earn CME in Live TMA Webinar - 10/31/2025

TMA’s first live Medicare webinar in six years will also address changes to quality and alternative payment programs, as well as a new pilot testing AI in prior authorization. Register now and submit questions in advance.

Medicare to Test Enhanced Technology Utilization Review in Texas - 10/30/2025

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.

Government Shutdown: Medicare Continues to Pay Claims for Unexpired Services - 10/27/2025

As of Oct. 15, “no payments have been delayed,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said, clarifying a previous notice suggesting a claims hold. Expired provisions continue to include telehealth services.