News

TMA Hot Topics

CMS Plans Temporary Medicaid Fee Hike

Texas primary care physicians would receive a temporary fee increase in 2013-14 for treating Medicaid patients if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopts a rule it proposed May 9. The proposal would make $11 billion available to states to increase Medicaid primary care reimbursement under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Source: Hot Topics | 16 May 2012 | 1:44 pm

Physicians Get $2 Billion+ From RICO Suits

Physicians have earned more than $2 billion from settlements of federal class-action antiracketeering lawsuits against the nation's largest for-profit HMOs by TMA and 18 other state and county medical societies and physician representatives, according to the Physicians Advocacy Institute.

Source: Hot Topics | 16 May 2012 | 1:13 pm

Why You Should Be in Dallas This Week

You can get free continuing medical education and the latest clinical updates, have a chance to help set TMA policy on medicine's key issues, browse through a lively exhibit hall with some 100 exhibits, and network with colleagues, friends, and former medical school classmates from throughout Texas at TexMed 2012, Friday and Saturday, May 18-19, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Source: Hot Topics | 16 May 2012 | 12:55 pm

TMA Wants ICD-10 Canned

TMA is glad the federal government postponed adoption of the ICD-10 coding system until 2014 but believes it should completely scrap ICD-10 for a more up-to-date coding system. If officials don't do that, then they should delay ICD-10 even longer. That was the message TMA delivered in a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on May 11.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:30 pm

TMA Comments on HIT Rules

TMA's Ad Hoc Committee on Health Information Technology has let federal officials know how they can improve the government's programs on meaningful use and electronic health records certification standards scheduled to take effect in 2014. The committee submitted comments on proposed rules governing those programs earlier this month.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:26 pm

TMA: Women Have Right to Know the Facts

The Woman's Right to Know booklet that Texas law requires physicians to give to all patients considering an elective abortion is factually inaccurate and not science-based, the chair of TMA's Maternal and Perinatal Health Committee wrote to state public health officials.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:25 pm

TMA Survey Asks You Important Questions

The 2012 physician survey is under way. Survey topics so far have asked for physicians' opinions on legislative issues, health plan contracts, access to care for patients, and health information technology. If you have not received a survey, please check your junk mail and add "tmainfo@texmed.org" to your address book.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:24 pm

HHSC Tools Aid EHR Participation

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has two computer-based learning tools to help physicians and hospitals participate in the Texas Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The tools are interactive and self-guided with voice or closed-captioned narration.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:23 pm

POEP Sponsors Breast Cancer Dinner

TMA's Physician Oncology Education Program (POEP) invites you to attend a free dinner lecture and earn up to 2 hours of continuing medical education on June 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in the Thompson Auditorium on the first floor of the TMA building at 401 W. 15th Street in Austin.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:22 pm

Resources for Reducing Emergency Crowding

Many Texas hospital emergency departments frequently struggle with boarding, overcrowding, and ambulance diversion, prompting various organizations to develop resources to improve the situation. Emergency Department Crowding: High-Impact Solutions, a report from the American College of Emergency Physicians, offers several solutions to reduce the time patients are boarded in emergency.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 12:22 pm

Appeal Your Rankings: TMA Tells You How

If a health plan rates you for one of its physician ranking or tiering programs based on cost or quality of care, you don't have to take the results lying down. But you do need to act within 30 days of receiving your preliminary ranking results from the health plan.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 May 2012 | 10:55 am

HIT Tools and Resources at Your Fingertips

TMA works diligently to give you the tools you need to tackle the challenges of technology. Whether you need help selecting an electronic health record (EHR) or understanding the EHR incentive program or information on e-prescribing, TMA has the resources. You can find links to all of these tools on the Technology page of the TMA website.

Source: Hot Topics | 26 Apr 2012 | 2:24 pm

TMA Prepares You for ICD-10 in 2014

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month reconfirmed its plans to delay the implementation of the ICD-10 coding system for a year, from October 2013 to October 2014. The department previously announced it was delaying ICD-10 because of objections from TMA and others.

Source: Hot Topics | 24 Apr 2012 | 5:35 pm

TMLT Enhances Medefense Coverage

All Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) policies covering individual physicians include the Medefense Endorsement, which provides reimbursement for legal and tax audit expenses for disciplinary proceedings.

Source: Hot Topics | 23 Apr 2012 | 2:03 pm

Physicians Foundation Checks Your Pulse

The Physicians Foundation is surveying you and your 650,000 physician colleagues across the country to determine how satisfied you are with the current state of medicine. The survey asks about the state of your practice, your morale, your career plans, and whether you can continue providing services in light of escalating regulatory and financial burdens.

Source: Hot Topics | 18 Apr 2012 | 5:25 pm

Appeals Court Backs TMA in Chiro Lawsuit

Texas chiropractors may not perform needle electromyography or manipulation under anesthesia, the Third Court of Appeals ruled earlier this month.

Source: Hot Topics | 18 Apr 2012 | 1:38 pm

Medicaid Opens Meaningful Use Portal

If you participate in the Texas Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program and already have successfully attested to first-year requirements, you now may begin attesting to receive 2012 Stage 1 meaningful use incentives.

Source: Hot Topics | 16 Apr 2012 | 3:43 pm

DSHS to Begin SCID Screening

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Newborn Screening Program will add severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) to the Texas Newborn Screening Panel in September.

Source: Hot Topics | 16 Apr 2012 | 3:38 pm

Newborn Screening Changes Start June 1

Changes to requirements for using and storing newborn screening blood spot cards take effect June 1. Beginning on that date, physicians and other health care professionals must give parents a different decision form when they collect a newborn screening specimen.

Source: Hot Topics | 5 Apr 2012 | 1:10 pm

TMLT Builds Nest Egg for Physicians

The Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) offers a new benefit that sets up a "nest egg" for its 15,000 enrolled policyholders – the Trust Rewards Program. Each year that physicians renew their policy with TMLT, funds will be set aside in their Trust Rewards account. The funds will be distributed to enrolled physicians when they retire or when other qualifying events occur.

Source: Hot Topics | 4 Apr 2012 | 5:22 pm

Medicine Warns of Brewing Regulatory Storm

Physicians face an "imminent storm" of mass confusion caused by overlapping regulatory mandates and reporting requirements from multiple federal programs unless federal officials do something to prevent it, TMA and other state and national medical societies warn in a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Director Marilyn Tavenner.

Source: Hot Topics | 4 Apr 2012 | 4:57 pm

House Repeals IPAB; Bill's Future Doubtful

In what appears to be a futile gesture, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation abolishing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a 15-member panel appointed by the president that would recommend cuts in Medicare payment fees to physicians if federal spending on health care reaches certain levels.

Source: Hot Topics | 4 Apr 2012 | 4:41 pm

Did You Get an E-Prescribing Penalty?

Some physicians have picked up a 1-percent Medicare penalty this year for not e-prescribing in 2011, even though they thought they did everything correctly.

Source: Hot Topics | 4 Apr 2012 | 4:28 pm

Aetna Deselecting 130 Texas Physicians

Aetna has notified 130 Texas physicians it will terminate them from its networks on July 1, TMA's Payment Advocacy Department has learned. Aetna says it told the physicians a year ago it was concerned about their billing patterns. Evaluation and management (E&M) codes were the only ones Aetna examined, and its concern involves primarily levels 4 and 5 E&M codes.

Source: Hot Topics | 3 Apr 2012 | 5:12 pm

Judge Upholds Prop 12 Tort Reform Caps

Caps on pain and suffering awards in health care lawsuits – part of the landmark 2003 tort reform law TMA and its allies pushed through the legislature – are constitutional, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap ruled in March. He denied claims by 10 plaintiffs who contended the caps on noneconomic damages violated the U.S. Constitution. He also dismissed claims that a cap on damages unconstitutionally takes private property and that it bars access to the courts.

Source: Hot Topics | 2 Apr 2012 | 4:11 pm

Action Special Issue: March 9, 2012

A combination of poorly informed government decisions and bureaucratic bungling is creating a medical emergency for thousands of dual-eligible Texans and the physicians who care for them. "Dual-eligibles" are people old enough to qualify for Medicare as their health insurer and poor enough to qualify for Medicaid assistance. Hundreds of thousands of them live across Texas. But budget cuts and bureaucratic bungling threaten their care – and more.

Source: Hot Topics | 15 Mar 2012 | 5:11 pm

TMA Offers New Policies & Procedures Guide

TMA's Policies & Procedures – A Guide for Medical Practices contains more than 200 up-to-date policies and procedures, tools, sample letters, and forms you can customize for your office. TMA's practical and easy-to-use guide is specific to Texas medical practices and Texas law.

Source: Hot Topics | 14 Mar 2012 | 11:12 am

Proposition 12 Produces Healthy Benefits

Proposition 12 continues to produces healthy benefits. Improving access to medical care is critically important to all Texans. This is especially true for children, pregnant women, the aged, the poor, those in an emergent condition and those in rural Texas. Charity care has greatly increased since the passage of the 2003 reforms.

Source: Hot Topics | 12 Mar 2012 | 6:38 pm

Are Your Claims Being Rejected?

The Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association report that many medical practices are seeing more of their claims rejected in recent weeks. The conversion to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Version 5010 transaction standards on Jan. 1 could be the culprit.

Source: Hot Topics | 7 Mar 2012 | 5:18 pm

Sebelius Delays ICD-10 Indefinitely

Texas Medical Association advocacy paid off again as U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Feb. 16 that physicians will not have to begin using the new ICD-10 coding system next year. ICD-10 codes were to take effect Oct 1. 2013, but Secretary Sebelius said that is delayed until an unspecified date.

Source: Hot Topics | 6 Mar 2012 | 5:37 pm

How to Avoid a 496 Edit

Since the HIPAA 5010 electronic claims standards took effect in January, some practices are running into a problem that causes TrailBlazer Health Enterprises to send back their Medicare claims with a 496 edit (submitter not approved for electronic claim submissions on behalf of this entity). TrailBlazer says this happens because the practice either is not properly linked to a clearinghouse or vendor in the Medicare system or has made an error in the claim.

Source: Hot Topics | 6 Mar 2012 | 10:15 am

Bills Would Repeal IPAB

With Medicare's Sustainable Growth Rate still in effect, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation to repeal another federal mechanism to drive down Medicare payments to physicians – the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Created by the Affordable Care Act, IPAB is a 15-member panel appointed by the president that would recommend cuts in fees to physicians if federal spending on health care reaches certain levels.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Feb 2012 | 5:08 pm

AMA Joins TMA in Hospital Lawsuit

The American Medical Association Litigation Center is joining TMA to support a group of South Texas physicians in their ongoing legal battle with Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Feb 2012 | 5:07 pm

Stage 2 Meaningful Use Rules Released

The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed new rules for Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs that detail proposed expectations for physicians. This is the second of three stages of meaningful use that physicians are required to meet to earn EHR incentives through the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Feb 2012 | 5:06 pm

New Smartphone App for Healthier Patients

Now there is a new smartphone app that you can use to help your patients track their progress toward a healthier life. The new "Weigh What Matters" app is part of AMA's Healthier Life Steps initiative.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Feb 2012 | 5:02 pm

TMB Will Consider Drug Shortages

Drug shortages and drug storage are mitigating factors in Texas Medical Board (TMB) investigations of physicians who use expired drugs, the board says.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Feb 2012 | 3:09 pm

Get CME Easier From TMA Education Center

Something good is now even better. TMA's practice management, cancer, and physician health courses are now easier than ever for you to find online. The TMA Education Center offers convenient, one-stop access to the continuing medical education (CME) Texas physicians need.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Feb 2012 | 11:58 am

Making Meaningful Use Meaningful

Don't lose out on your Medicare or Medicaid incentive payment for meaningful use of an electronic health record. For physicians who qualify, reaching meaningful use can mean up to $63,750 in incentives from Medicaid or $44,000 from Medicare.

Source: Hot Topics | 27 Feb 2012 | 11:39 am

Congress Punts, Freezes Medicare Fees for 10 Months

If you could express what Congress did on physician Medicare fees in sports terms, you might say lawmakers drove all the way to the 20-yard-line … and punted.

Source: Hot Topics | 20 Feb 2012 | 12:03 pm

Sonogram Law Enforcement Begins

State health officials began enforcing the state's sonogram law Feb. 6 after a federal judge in Austin reluctantly dismissed a lawsuit challenging it. Texas Health Commissioner David Lakey, MD, notified physicians that the Department of State Health Services will review physicians' documentation to make sure they comply with the law.

Source: Hot Topics | 14 Feb 2012 | 1:44 pm

Sign Up 18-Year-Olds for ImmTrac

Unless children fill out an ImmTrac Adult Consent Form when they turn 18, the state will purge their immunization records from the ImmTrac immunization registry one year later. Legislation passed in 2009 authorizes the inclusion of adult immunization records in ImmTrac, but patients whose parents registered them for ImmTrac as children must sign the adult consent form when they turn 18 for the state to continue keeping their records in the registry.

Source: Hot Topics | 14 Feb 2012 | 1:42 pm

Penalized for Not E-Prescribing in 2011?

TMA is getting calls from physicians who were penalized 1 percent for not e-prescribing in 2011, even though they thought they did everything correctly.

Source: Hot Topics | 14 Feb 2012 | 1:39 pm

Texas Suffers in GME Redistribution

Texas was one of the biggest losers in the federal government's August 2011 redistribution of unused graduate medical education (GME) positions eligible for Medicare GME funding, a TMA analysis found. The state lost 50.08 direct graduate medical education slots and 39.8 indirect medical education positions from 21 hospitals.

Source: Hot Topics | 14 Feb 2012 | 11:50 am

TMA, ACS Join Cancer Study

TMA and the American Cancer Society have teamed up in a landmark study aimed at reducing the impact of cancer.

Source: Hot Topics | 10 Feb 2012 | 11:13 am

TMA Opposes Dual Eligible Cuts

Eliminating payments for Medicare Part B coinsurance and deductibles to those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare will save the state millions but it will "come at the expense of the health and well-being of some of the state's most vulnerable citizens," TMA President C. Bruce Malone, MD, told the Texas Health and Human Services Commission earlier this month.

Source: Hot Topics | 3 Feb 2012 | 5:49 pm

TMB Starts Remedial Plan System

The Texas Medical Board (TMB) has implemented fairness provisions of a new state law – backed by TMA – that allows physicians named in complaints to resolve their cases with a "remedial plan" rather than a formal disciplinary action.

Source: Hot Topics | 31 Jan 2012 | 2:35 pm

TMA, a Physician’s Strongest Advocate

The stakes facing physician practices are higher than ever, particularly because of ever-evolving state and federal regulations, new compliance standards, and insurance hassles imposed on practices. You're probably worried and feeling a bit frantic. In Texas, no one is better equipped to fight for and serve physicians than TMA.

Source: Hot Topics | 31 Jan 2012 | 2:30 pm

Give Us Your Opinion

Every two years, TMA conducts a major survey of all Texas physicians to identify emerging issues, assess physician priorities, and develop data to support advocacy efforts. The 2012 survey is now under way. Please help us by using the emailed survey invitation to tell us about your ideas and experience.

Source: Hot Topics | 31 Jan 2012 | 2:30 pm

Medicaid HMO Expansion: Are You Ready?

On March 12, Texas will complete statewide expansion of the Medicaid HMO model by requiring most patients living in rural and South Texas counties to obtain their health care services from physicians and providers participating in one of the Medicaid HMO networks.

Source: Hot Topics | 18 Jan 2012 | 10:20 am

Using an NPP in Your Practice? Do It Right

Do you employ a nonphysician provider (NPP)? Thinking about hiring one?

Source: Hot Topics | 17 Jan 2012 | 12:47 pm

TMLT Starts Trust Rewards Program

The Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) started the $100 million TMLT Trust Rewards Program on Jan. 1 to reward policyholders for their loyalty. TMLT will fund a Trust Rewards Account, based on earned premium, for each policyholder in the program, and the money will be available upon retirement or other qualifying events.

Source: Hot Topics | 17 Jan 2012 | 11:10 am

TDI Suspends PPO Rules

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) suspended preferred provider benefit regulations until it adopts rules implementing legislation passed in the 2011 session of the legislature. A bulletin from Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman said the legislature passed bills that significantly affect TDI's ability to regulate health care plans.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Dec 2011 | 1:44 pm

Medicare Meltdown Forcing Physicians Out

Facing either a freeze in Medicare payments or cuts ranging from 2 percent to nearly 30 percent, almost half of Texas physicians are considering opting out of the Medicare program altogether, putting seniors, military families, and people with disabilities at serious risk of losing their doctor, a Texas Medical Association survey shows.

Source: Hot Topics | 2 Dec 2011 | 6:12 pm

TMLT Cuts Premiums Again

For the ninth consecutive year since tort reform, the Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) is cutting its liability insurance premiums. This time, the TMLT Board of Governors approved an average 6.9-percent cut in liability premiums and an 18.5-percent dividend for renewing policyholders.

Source: Hot Topics | 2 Dec 2011 | 2:39 pm

TMA Meets Your Needs

In Texas, no one is better equipped to fight for and serve you than TMA and your county medical society.

Source: Hot Topics | 29 Nov 2011 | 4:07 pm

Calendar Helps Avoid Doom

TMA has a new Internet-based tool that can help you comply with the increasing number of commercial insurance and federal and state regulations that affect you and your patients.

Source: Hot Topics | 1 Nov 2011 | 10:43 am

Empower Yourself: Join the Discussion

Become an avid reader and contributor to TMA's new Me & My Doctor blog. The blog is a place where you and your patients can have a candid discussion about today's health care system. It's a perfect way to educate your patients and colleagues about health care issues important to you.

Source: Hot Topics | 1 Nov 2011 | 10:42 am

TMA Puts $1 Million in Your Pocket

Thanks to the persistence of the Texas Medical Association Payment Advocacy staff, TMA has helped members recover more than a $1 million from health plans this year.

Source: Hot Topics | 31 Aug 2011 | 10:31 am

POEP Podcast Fights Tobacco

Help your patients quit smoking, and get paid for it. The newest podcast from TMA's Physician Oncology Education Program (POEP) explains how.

Source: Hot Topics | 28 Jul 2011 | 3:15 pm

2011 TMA Legislative Report Card

TMA's top priority as the 2011 legislative session convened was to protect the patient-physician relationship in every aspect of the health care system. With an enormous budget deficit and special interest groups from hospitals to midlevel practitioners lining up to takeMany of our adversaries wanted control of physicians, our practices, and our patients. However, when the session, physicians crossed the finish line with the reins still in hand. Even better, lawmakers took major steps to protect and strengthen the patient-physician relationship from future outside interference.

Source: Hot Topics | 5 Jul 2011 | 11:41 am

Physician Employment Protections

At the onset of the 82nd legislative session, more than 20 bills were asking lawmakers to lift Texas' ban against the corporate practice of medicine. Both rural and urban hospital districts wanted the ability to employ physicians. With only weeks left of the session, TMA accomplished two major feats.

Source: Hot Topics | 21 Jun 2011 | 1:52 pm

TMA Scores Major Victories for Physicians, Patients

It was a tough legislative session from the outset. With an enormous budget deficit and special interest groups from hospitals to midlevel practitioners to those who wanted to emasculate the Texas Medical Board lining up to take on organized medicine, it seemed the Texas Medical Association's agenda for the 2011 Texas Legislature faced tough sledding. But when the session ended on May 30, TMA scored some dramatic victories for physicians and your patients.

Source: Hot Topics | 2 Jun 2011 | 2:56 pm

Study: Texas Physicians’ Practices Are Huge Economic Shot in the Arm

Physicians’ medical practices have a tremendous positive impact on Texas’ economy, according to a new study commissioned by TMA and AMA.

Source: Hot Topics | 31 Mar 2011 | 5:42 pm

Find It, Fix It, Keep It: Affordable Care Act

Affordable Care Act: Find What’s Missing. Keep What Works. Fix What’s Broken.

Source: Hot Topics | 11 Mar 2011 | 8:19 pm