Stories written by Alisa Pierce

Galveston Clinic Uses AI for Better Physician-Patient Interactions - 12/03/2025

Their transcription tool, powered by artificial intelligence, is fully integrated within the electronic health record, leaving physicians with the ability to focus entirely on the patient in front of them.

Physicians Can Become Influencers with New TMA Resource - 12/03/2025

TMA’s new academy is a self-paced program that educates physicians on how to become social media influencers by focusing on basic building blocks like branding, messaging, storytelling, and beyond.

Texas in the Running for Federal Rural Health Care Funding - 11/25/2025

The state’s “Rural Texas Strong: Supporting Health and Wellness” proposal requests $1 billion over five years for wide-ranging improvement programs reaching each of Texas’ 202 rural counties. With some of medicine’s ideas incorporated, TMA is cautiously analyzing the proposal’s potential to support rural physicians.

Medical Community Service Project Takes Root at Local Medicine Matters - 11/18/2025

What began as a small, heartfelt initiative in Tarrant County has blossomed into a statewide effort by local medical alliance members to connect with and support medical residents across Texas through care packages.

TexLa Resource Center Aids Physicians Integrating Telemedicine Technologies - 11/17/2025

The federally funded TexLa Telehealth Resource Center is based at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Information on its resources to support both new and existing telehealth programs in the region is now on TMA’s website.

Read and Review: TMA Offers Insight into Common Physician Contracts - 11/13/2025

TMA offers tips, insight into common types of contracts physicians encounter across their careers.

Tailored Programming: Upcoming TMA Conferences Meet Physicians Where They Practice - 11/13/2025

Texas Medical Association offers two upcoming conferences that members can attend - Business of Medicine Conference in El Paso in September and Local Medicine Matters in Tyler in October.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Erosions to Medical Liability Reforms Fail - 11/13/2025

Medicine’s work this session to preserve Texas’ landmark medical liability reforms started and ended like legislative sessions past with a perennial attempt to index the landmark 2003 noneconomic damages cap to inflation. But that story had a twist this session in that the vehicle to do so, House Bill 4036, was pushed by a pair of Republicans alongside its typical Democrat contingency.  

Alternate Paths: Will Limited Licenses Help Alleviate Texas’ Workforce Shortages? - 11/10/2025

House Bill 2038, known as the "Doctor Act," allows Texas to establish "limited" and "provisional" licenses for unmatched medical graduates and international medical graduates. 

AMA AI Center Puts Physicians at the Heart of Health Care Innovation - 11/07/2025

The new resource hub has the potential to harness physicians’ growing interest in augmented intelligence. TMA’s most recent health information technology survey found Texas physicians are cautiously optimistic the technology will reduce electronic health record and administrative burden.

$3 Billion Dementia Research Investment Up for Vote in November - 11/05/2025

Alzheimer’s disease, which comprises 60-80% of dementia cases, is rising in Texas and becoming a public health crisis, per state officials. TMA supports a new research institute aiming to change that.

Federal Loan Changes Could Exacerbate Medical Students’ Financial Challenges - 11/04/2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act caps students’ borrowing for professional schools – including medical schools – at $50,000 annually, with a total limit of $257,500. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Physician Compensation Increasingly Tied to Productivity, Data Finds - 10/28/2025

Only 29% of physician contracts feature a straight starting salary with no production bonus, according to data from a top physician recruiting firm. While quality still plays a role in some bonuses, volume-based metrics are on the rise.

Physicians Benevolent Fund ‘Helps Fill the Gap’ with Short-Term Support - 10/24/2025

In addition to long-term assistance, the fund provides physicians with temporary aid for personal expenses such as mortgage, utilities, transportation, and health care bills.

TMA Foundation Grants Immunize Communities, Educate Patients - 10/22/2025

The TMA Foundation offers grants of up to $3,500 to fund vaccination activities, educational resources, and community outreach events. This year’s awardees will provide free immunizations and aim to reduce barriers to care.

Texas to Seek Federal Rural Health Care Funding with TMA Support - 10/13/2025

The Rural Health Transformation Fund, established under the federal budget bill, makes available a total of $50 billion to states over five years. Of that amount, $25 billion will be distributed equally among approved states, and the remaining half allocated based on grant applications and a priority weighting system.

New Law Requires Texas Physicians to Disclose AI, Provide Guardians EHR Access - 10/07/2025

The bill also requires physicians to maintain EHRs only within the U.S. Physicians can face disciplinary action, including civil penalties and license suspension or revocation by the Texas Medical Board if found to have violated the law three or more times.

Cigna Clarifies Terms, Conditions of Its High-Level E/M Downcoding Policy - 09/30/2025

In communication with TMA, Cigna confirmed its policy will not apply to all physicians and those subject to it can request to be removed from the review process under certain circumstances. Nevertheless, the limited scope of the “exemption” could still represent a significant operational and financial challenge for some practices.

Federal Changes Allow Payment for Direct Primary Care Via Health Savings Accounts - 09/29/2025

The new law permits patients to use health savings account funds for direct primary care membership fees, provided the arrangement meets certain federal requirements.

HHS Announces ‘Crackdown’ on Information Blocking - 09/15/2025

To avoid information blocking, physicians must ensure their practices do not interfere with the access, exchange, or the use of electronic health information. TMA’s robust 21st Century Cures Act resource center can help.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Amid Bad Insurance Bills Defeated, Gold Card Law Refinements Close Gaps - 09/12/2025

House Bill 3812 addresses some of the shortfalls and inconsistencies among payers in the intended implementation of Texas’ landmark prior authorization exemption law. The law took effect Sept. 1 but additional rulemaking by the Texas Department of Insurance is likely.    

Novitas Clarifies Payment Available for ‘Buildup Phase’ of Allergy Treatments - 09/12/2025

The Medicare administrative contractor confirmed their payment policy at a meeting with TMA. Members should contact the association’s Physician Payment Resource Center if claims denials occur.

Personalized Pursuit: Word-of-Mouth Recruitment Plays Vital Role in How TMA Grows Membership - 09/10/2025

TMA launches new pilot program that focuses on member physicians recruiting colleagues to join the association.

TMA Gallery to Launch New Exhibit on Austin Museum Day - 09/09/2025

The gallery, free to the public during Austin Museum Day Sunday, Sept. 21, features centuries-old archival material and medical relics like early stethoscopes, bloodletting lancets, and physicians’ medical bags, to teach how TMA shaped medicine in Texas.

TMA’s Women Physicians Section Leads Advocacy and Change - 09/04/2025

Women in Medicine Month in September celebrates the achievements and contributions of female physicians. That includes the efforts of TMA’s Women Physicians Section, now in its sixth year.