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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.

Pinch Points: Health Care Isn’t Immune to a Tight Labor Market - 08/18/2025

Health care isn’t immune to a tight labor market, but employee retention efforts can help.

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.

Distinguished Service Award Recipients - 08/13/2025

TMA established the Distinguished Service Award in 1962 as a special recognition for meritorious achievement in medical science, advances in public health, and exceptional service to the medical profession and the community.

Texas Leads National Charge for Medicare Physician Payment Reform - 08/08/2025

The Texas Delegation to the American Medical Association led the charge for more concrete action to achieve comprehensive Medicare physician payment reform , resulting in new AMA policy calling for less “talk” and more “action” to ensure access to care for patients.

“Fight the Good Fight”: Fleeger Awarded TMA’s Highest Honor - 08/05/2025

For his confident leadership during difficult times, and his longtime advocacy for medicine at both the state and national levels, the Texas Medical Association bestowed its highest honor upon Austin colon and rectal surgeon David C. Fleeger, MD.

Inaugural Award: TMASFF Cowles Young Physician Scholarship Endowment Supports Future Medical Leaders - 08/04/2025

The endowment promotes TMA leadership training opportunities for young physicians in Harris County. Learning about its namesake doctor “made me even more driven to continue to become a leader in medicine and to continue my journey with TMA,” one recipient said.

CMS Delivers Temporary Bump to Medicare Pay in 2026, Among Sweeping Changes in Proposed Fee Schedule - 07/16/2025

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.

TMA Board of Trustees 2025-26 - 06/25/2025

TMA Board of Trustees

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.

Multiple Choice: How Two APMs Are Contributing to Cost-Conscious Health Care - 06/17/2025

The Medicare Shared Savings Program and ACO REACH program provide physicians with two viable payment models incentivizing better patient care outcomes.

TMA Vigilant of New Medicare Advantage Audits - 06/17/2025

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun what the agency itself calls an “aggressive” new strategy to audit all Medicare Advantage plans annually to review whether insurers and their networks are inflating patients’ illnesses, leading to overpayments – and the additional compliance burdens and possible repayments could fall on physicians.  

RFS Executive Council - 06/16/2025

Resident and Fellow Section Executive Council

Who Can Do the Face-to-Face Encounter for Home Health? - 06/12/2025

Medicare won’t pay home health agencies to care for Medicare patients without a physician’s certification, which must include a face-to-face encounter with the patient. Here’s who can perform that encounter.

AI Experts Added to Committee on Health Information Technology - 06/11/2025

Recognizing the potential of augmented and artificial intelligence to greatly impact patient care and physician interests, the Texas Medical Association has announced the addition of 10 expert consultants to its Committee on Health Information Technology.

Board Member Highlight: John Carlo, MD - 06/09/2025

John T. Carlo, MD, brought high aspirations when he was elected to the TMA Board of Trustees in 2022. “I want to ensure that we protect all physician-patient relationships against government and business intrusion,” he said. “Every physician should be able to practice medicine at the highest standards, using the latest medical evidence without fear of being criminalized.”

Where Are They Now? 15 Years of Leadership College: Lenore DePagter, DO - 06/05/2025

The time Lenore DePagter, DO, spent in the TMA Leadership College set her on a path in organized medicine and launched her career in health care administration. Learn how to apply before the June 13 deadline.

Board Member Highlight: Grayson Jackson - 06/05/2025

The Texas Medical Association elected Galveston medical student Grayson Jackson to a one-year term as the TMA Medical Student Section representative to the TMA Board of Trustees. He joined the board in May 2025.

Board Member Highlight: Kimberly Monday, MD - 06/05/2025

Kimberly Monday, MD, was elected to the TMA Board of Trustees during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. One of her key beliefs: “Physicians are in the best position to determine what health care services people and communities need, who should provide those services, and in what context.”

Board Member Highlight: Lee Ann Pearse, MD - 06/04/2025

Lee Ann Pearse, MD, was elected to the TMA Board of Trustees in May 2024.

Board Member Highlight: Tilden L. Childs III, MD - 06/02/2025

The Texas Medical Association House of Delegates elected Fort Worth radiologist Tilden L. Childs III, MD, to TMA’s Board of Trustees during TMA’s TexMed conference in May 2025.

Board Member Highlight: Mark A. Casanova, MD - 06/02/2025

The Texas Medical Association House of Delegates policymaking body elected Dallas internist and palliative care physician Mark A. Casanova, MD, vice speaker of the TMA house during TMA’s TexMed conference in May 2025. The election places him on the TMA Board of Trustees governing body.

Board Member Highlight: John G. Flores, MD - 06/02/2025

The Texas Medical Association House of Delegates policymaking body elected Little Elm internist John G. Flores, MD, as its speaker in May 2025. The office of the speaker is an ex-officio member of the TMA Board of Trustees. Dr. Flores values the important role of physician advocacy in preserving the patient-physician relationship.  

Board Member Highlight: Tazeen Rizvi, DO - 06/02/2025

The Texas Medical Association House of Delegates elected Dallas resident physician Tazeen Rizvi, DO, to a one-year term as the TMA Resident and Fellow Section representative on the TMA Board of Trustees governing body during TexMed in May 2025.

Board Member Highlight: Bradford Patt, MD - 06/02/2025

The Texas Medical Association Board of Trustees elected Bradford S. Patt, MD, to serve as vice chair in 2025-26, after the TMA House of Delegates renewed him to a new three-year term on the board.