Standing Up for Texas Doctors

First Tuesday Feb 2013
TMA's 2013 Legislative Agenda“As lawmakers reconvene in Austin, we must work together to put patients before politics,” said TMA President Michael E. Speer, MD, as TMA laid out the association’s legislative agenda for the 83rd session of the Texas Legislature.
Physicians testifying
Medicare Cuts Neurology FeesNeurologists and physiatrists throughout the country awoke Jan. 1 to a dramatic cut by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in valuation of electromyogram/nerve conduction studies. Physicians who perform these studies are concerned that patients, regardless of coverage, may lose access to this critical diagnostic test.
Dr. Shah
State Now Paying Dual-Eligibles’ Medicare Deductible The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) restored the Medicare Part B deductible payment on Jan. 25 for patients eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, also known as "dual eligibles." TMA continues to push for the complete reversal of the 2012 dual-eligible cut.
Dr. Tom Garcia radio interview
Healthy Vision 2020TMA Board of Trustees releases strategic roadmap for TMA's state and federal advocacy initiatives for the remainer of the decade. What do you think? Are these your priorities?

Helping Doctors with Their Practice

Practice Help Technology
2013 E-Rx Penalty and Incentive GuidelinesYou have until June 30 to avoid a 2-percent penalty on all 2014 Medicare Part B claims. If you do not already e-prescribe in your office, now is the time to begin. If you do not already use an electronic health record system with e-prescribing capabilities, you can install a stand-alone e-prescribing system and still meet the approaching deadline.
TMA Practice Consulting Team
Hire a TMA Consultant TodayLooking for seamless solutions to your most puzzling practice problems? For the best in practice management assistance, contact TMA Practice Consulting today.With practice management experience, knowledge of best practices, and access to TMA’s tools and resources, a TMA consultant can provide customized solutions specific to your practice.
Calendar of Doom
Calendar of Doom Can Keep You Compliant

Are You Ready for These Deadlines?

Feb. 15 - Medicare physician participation deadline
Feb. 28 - Medicare 2012 ePrescribing claims due
March 16 - Medicaid EHR attestation deadline
Back office in scrubs
A Good FormGenerally, physicians can exchange patient information for treatment and payment under state and federal law without obtaining a patient's authorization. But health care professionals must get patients' approval before exchanging some types of sensitive information, such as certain drug and alcohol abuse treatment information and psychotherapy notes. The new form is available in TMA's Policies & Procedures: A Guide for Medical Practices.

The Information Texas Doctors Need

What's Hot

  • ICD-10 Transition Tool

    New! This easy-to-use electronic ICD-9 to ICD-10 GEMs mapping system is designed to create awareness and train staff now on the new code structure and dramatic differences in specificity and chart documentation. The tool will help you quickly and easily identify which ICD-10 codes replace the ICD-9 codes your practice uses now. READ MORE

  • NPP Manual

    Now available! TMA’s publication, Hiring, Billing, and Delegation of Duties for a Nonphysician Practitioner will help you avoid legal pitfalls, bill correctly, give patients more access to care, create a “team care” approach, and supervise and delegate correctly. READ MORE

  • In the Spotlight

    Legislative News Delivered to Your Inbox 

    The next session of the Texas Legislature promises to be action-packed. You won't miss a thing if you sign up for the TMA Legislative News Hotline.

    READ MORE

Education & Events

  • Get the Truth on HIPAA

    Starting Feb. 27 

    Medical Records and HIPAA: Truths and Myths, TMA's newest statewide practice management seminar. Medical records and HIPAA are inseparable. But separate the myths from the facts and you’ll get clarity on common misconceptions.

  • First Tuesdays at the Capitol

    March 5, April 2, May 7 - Austin 

    The Family of Medicine needs you. The "White Coat Invasion" has been key to physicians' successes in the Texas legislature since the inception of First Tuesdays at the Capitol in 2003. Our senators and representatives listen when their hometown doctors appear in their offices.

  • TexMed 2013

    May 17-18, San Antonio 

    Remember the patient! TMA is working to help physicians remain focused on the mission of medicine … the patient. Join us for TexMed 2013 for what is sure to be a lively exhibit hall, an opportunity for 100+ hours of clinical and business CME, and weigh in on association policy at the TMA House of Delegates ,at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.