Stories written by Alisa Pierce

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.

You Spoke, We Listened: Listening Tour Collects Valuable Physician Feedback - 11/19/2024

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

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.

I Never Knew TMA: Had AI Experts on its HIT Committee - 11/15/2024

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.

I Never Knew TMA: Hosted Regional Conferences and Events - 11/14/2024

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

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.

OIG Calls for More Oversight of Remote Patient Monitoring in Medicare - 10/23/2024

The organization recommends greater scrutiny from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, including implementing additional safeguards, conducting physician education, and identifying and monitoring companies that bill for the service. Read more.

TMA Panel Provides Insight into Personal Finances at All Career Stages - 10/15/2024

Physicians today need information on managing personal finances, such as how to handle student loan debt, plan for retirement, and make informed investment decisions. To help members learn how to navigate those challenges and more with practical and tangible advice, the Texas Medical Association hosted the panel “Ask the Expert: The Business of Personal Finance” on Oct. 12 at its Business of Medicine Conference in San Antonio.

DSHS Asks Texas Physicians to Increase Screening, Prevention Efforts for Congenital Syphilis - 10/01/2024

In its effort to turn the tide against rising congenital syphilis rates, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is asking physicians to increase screening and prevention efforts among pregnant women and their partners.

A Party for Medicine: Alliance Advocacy Events Increase TEXPAC Visibility - 09/30/2024

TMAA President and TEXPAC board member Jenny Shepherd’s advocacy events increase TEXPAC visibility and membership. 

One Voice: TEXPAC’s Candidate Evaluation Process Prioritizes Medicine’s Interests - 09/27/2024

TEXPAC’s robust candidate evaluation process ensures medicine’s interests come first. 

On Call for Little Heads: 30 Years of Hard Hats - 09/27/2024

Participants reflect on three decades of TMA’s longest-running outreach program.

AMA Identifies Top Specialties That Spend Most Time in EHR - 09/24/2024

In a new study funded by the American Medical Association identifying top specialties stuck in electronic health records, authors found regardless of specialty, physicians frequently spend more than half their clinical time doing documenting, reviewing, ordering, and managing their inbox.

CHIP COVID-19 Copays Set to Resume in October - 09/12/2024

Physicians can begin collecting copays from Children’s Health Insurance Program members for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment starting Oct. 1.

CMS Ups Seasonal Flu Vaccine Payment - 09/09/2024

On Aug. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services increased payments to physicians for influenza vaccines and updated which codes physicians should use when billing for the service during the 2024-25 flu season.

BCBSTX to Require E/M Codes for Consultation Services - 09/03/2024

Starting Nov. 18, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will no longer pay physicians for outpatient or inpatient consultations when they report those services with Current Procedural Terminology codes 99242 – 99245 and 99252 – 99255.

Ask “Dr. ChatGPT”: What Physicians Should Know About AI - 08/28/2024

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

Coding with Care: Knowing Billing Codes for Complex Care Can Maximize Revenue, Access to Care - 08/28/2024

Knowing billing codes for complex care can maximize revenue and access to care.

Aetna to Correct G2211 Payment Disparities - 08/28/2024

Aetna will correct erroneously low payments made to physicians for G2211 claims following Texas Medical Association advocacy during a meeting with the payer Aug. 2.

“Healthy Humorist” Injects a Dose of Laughter at TexMed - 08/16/2024

Physician-turned-keynote speaker Brad Nieder, MD, concluded TexMed 2023 on Saturday with an uplifting, humorous reminder that “laughter is the best medicine,” even for physicians.