Stories written by Alisa Pierce

You Spoke, We Listened: Listening Tour Collects Valuable Physician Feedback - 01/16/2025

TMA’s 2024 Listening Tour collected valuable feedback about physicians’ pressing needs.

Congress Extends Medicare Telehealth Waivers, Payment for Audio-Only Visits - 01/10/2025

With telehealth extensions granted under the American Relief Act, TMA has updated its telehealth waiver chart to reflect these temporary changes that allow physicians to provide telemedicine mental health services without conducting an in-person patient visit. The flexibilities were extended through March.

How TMA Helped This Physician Fight Depression, Financial Stress - 01/07/2025

For retired Lubbock anesthesiologist Robert Boyd, MD, support from TMA’s Physicians Benevolent Fund is both financial and emotional, assisting with personal expenses such as rent and groceries and strengthening his independence.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Seek Balanced Regulation of AI - 01/06/2025

TMA will work to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) regulation supports physician practices but does not replace physicians’ medical expertise.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Expand Access to Care with Telemedicine Payment Parity - 12/31/2024

TMA supports improving access to high-quality, physician-led telemedicine care that is covered at the same rate as in-person visits.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Safeguard Medical Liability Protections - 12/31/2024

The Texas Medical Association will fight to preserve Texas’ landmark medical liability reforms and prevent new liability risks that threaten access to care.

Advancing Health Equity: Karen Batory’s 35-year TMA Career Shaped Public Health for the Association - 12/31/2024

Karen Batory’s extensive, 35-year career at TMA shaped public health for both the association and the state

I Never Knew TMA: Hosted Regional Conferences and Events - 12/30/2024

The Texas Medical Association hosts multiple events that are opportunities to network with physician leaders, explore CME tracks, and enjoy keynote presentations.

Ask “Dr. ChatGPT”: What Physicians Should Know About AI - 12/20/2024

Health care adviser Harvey Castro, MD, details what physicians should know about artificial intelligence.

TMA Develops New AI Education - 12/20/2024

Responding to significant interest from members after a 2023 standing-room-only TexMed event, the Texas Medical Association has developed a free webinar for members to learn how to integrate augmented or artificial intelligence technology, including ChatGPT, into patient care.

Executive Order Requires Safe, Secure Use of AI in Health Care - 12/20/2024

President Joe Biden signed an executive order Oct. 30 establishing new standards for the safe and secure use of artificial intelligence via federal oversight across different sectors, including health care.

Feds Require AI Transparency, Define Info-Blocking Exceptions - 12/20/2024

First-of-their-kind transparency regulations established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aim to help physicians determine the safety of artificial intelligence technology. The new rule also established a new information blocking exception and implemented a 21st Century Cures Act requirement for health IT developers. Read more.

Medicine Meets AI: Artificial Intelligence Has Potential in Patient Care - 12/20/2024

ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence platforms have potential in patient care, but that future is still a long way off.

TMA to Represent Texas Physicians’ Coding, Payment Concerns on National Credentialing Organization - 12/17/2024

TMA’s Director of Physician Payment Services has been appointed to the former Academy of Professional Coders’ National Advisory Board, where she will elevate the voices of Texas physicians through collaboration on coding, billing, and compliance issues.

AMA President-Elect Acclaims TMA Advocacy for Scope, Prior Auth Wins - 12/04/2024

Texas physicians’ advocacy accomplishments both in the state and alongside the American Medical Association earned praise from AMA’s president-elect at the Texas Medical Association’s Leadership Summit on Jan. 27.

I Never Knew TMA: Had AI Experts on its HIT Committee - 11/27/2024

TMA’s HIT Committee stands among nine councils and 18 standing committees that channel physician expertise to influence policy and programs that support Texas patients and physicians and provide solutions to the challenges they encounter.

DEA Extends Controlled Substance Prescribing via Telemedicine Through 2025 - 11/25/2024

Until the end of next year, physicians can continue to prescribe schedule II-V controlled substances via audio-video telemedicine visits without needing to conduct an in-person medical evaluation of the patient, per rulemaking by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Read more.

The Physicians Foundation Seeks Health Care Leaders for New, Free Training Program - 11/20/2024

The one-year, hybrid training program will teach 25 physicians from across the country how to influence health care policy development at both state and federal levels. Participation in the program includes full coverage for tuition, travel, and CME credits.

Impact of TMA’s Legislative Wins for Practices Addressed at Business of Medicine - 11/18/2024

Rounding out a weekend of business meetings and educational sessions aimed at navigating modern health care challenges, the Texas Medical Association’s inaugural Business of Medicine conference concluded with the tradition of an update of medicine’s hard-fought wins during the legislative session and what those wins mean for the practice of medicine.

House Recognizes TMA Alliance on First Tuesdays’ 20th Anniversary - 11/18/2024

Clad in commemorative scarves honoring the 20th anniversary of First Tuesdays at the Capitol, Texas Medical Association Alliance (TMAA) members stood tall among a sea of white coats as State Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Carrollton) recognized their dedication to medicine on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives on March 7.

TMA Knowledge Center Improvements Expedite Member Solutions - 11/08/2024

System-wide improvements to TMA’s Knowledge Center recently went live, including an enhanced phone line equipped with interactive voice response functionality and a new digital chatbot. These updates were made to better serve members and to provide the most recent information and tools available to physicians across Texas.

FTC Mandates Vendors Notify Patients of Breaches in Health Information - 11/07/2024

The Federal Trade Commission has amended its Health Breach Notification Rule to require vendors of personal health records and related entities not covered by HIPAA to notify individuals, the FTC, and, at times, the media, when a breach in protected health information occurs. The change will take effect July 29.

Inbox Overload: How to Tackle Time-Consuming Electronic Messages - 11/04/2024

How to tackle time-consuming electronic messages.

Happy Hikers: John Shepherd, MD, and Wife, Jenny, Take a Break from Advocacy to hike Colorado Trail - 11/04/2024

John Shepherd, MD, and his wife, Jenny, take a break from medical advocacy to hike the Colorado Trail.

Planning That Pays: Physicians Can Receive Payment for Helping Patients Prepare for End-of-Life - 11/04/2024

Physicians can receive Medicare payment for helping patients prepare for end-of-life medical decisions.