News

New Law Prohibits Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates, With Exceptions - 08/22/2025

Thanks to advocacy by the Texas Medical Association, guardrails for patient safety and practice viability are included in a new state law that prohibits employers, including physician offices and health care facilities, from mandating COVID-19 vaccines among employees.

Texas Senate Interim Charges Underscore TMA Legislative Priorities - 08/22/2025

Scope-of-practice creep and access to mental health care are among the 57 charges Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently issued for Senate committees to study ahead of the 2025 legislative session. The Texas Medical Association’s advocacy for medicine-friendly policy also continues apace during the interim, with the association closely monitoring several of these charges.

CMS Announces Latest Scores for Quality Payment Program - 08/22/2025

The Medicare Quality Payment Program will award a slightly higher percentage of positive payment adjustments in 2025 compared to 2024. However, the maximum will be considerably lower than last year’s.

Patients Increasingly Find AI-Produced Health Info Online – But Many Prefer Physicians - 08/22/2025

Despite the rise of AI-generated medical data online, 90% of Americans still trust physicians as trustworthy sources of health information, and almost half still prefer clinicians’ education and experience.

Pharmacists’ Scope Would Expand Under Federal Bills - 08/21/2025

Under a pair of House and Senate bills, Medicare would allow pharmacists to test for and then treat four respiratory illnesses. Nearly 100 state medical associations and national specialty societies joined in opposing the potential legislation.

Texas Organization Leads Medicare Quality Improvement Program - 08/20/2025

Chronic disease management, behavioral health, and patient safety are among the priorities of a renewed Medicare program led by TMF Health Quality Institute. Prospective participants chosen can receive access to consulting services and resources.

Cigna Downcoding Policy Threatens Payment; TMA Urges Repeal - 08/18/2025

The payer announced a new plan under which it may adjust certain higher-level evaluation and management codes based on the encounter criteria in a submitted claim.

Tips for Monkeypox Testing - 08/18/2025

As monkeypox continues to spread in Texas, it’s possible you will encounter cases in your practice. If you do suspect a case of monkeypox, or need to prepare, the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Infectious Diseases has these tips for you when thinking about testing for monkeypox.

West Nile Virus Begins to Percolate in Texas - 08/18/2025

Locally contracted and travel-acquired mosquito-borne viruses have begun their annual ascent. Proactive personal protection and public health measures mitigate the risk.

TMA Pushes for Prior Authorization Limits, Clarity - 08/15/2025

After hearing story after story of delays and denials, the Texas Medical Association is pushing the Texas Legislature to sign off on measures that would significantly curb insurers’ ability to require prior authorization on needed care, as well as clarify for both physicians and patients what it means when prior authorization is required.

New Tool Alerts Physicians, Patients to Dangerous Heat Levels, Related Risks - 08/15/2025

For patients at greater risk, health-related heat impacts can stack up on 100-plus degree days. A new resource, localized by ZIP code, aims to simplify gauging the hazards of a given summer day and includes clinician guidance.

Flood-Impacted Texas Physicians Granted New MIPS EUC Exception - 08/14/2025

In response to severe storms and flooding affecting Texas in July, physicians in impacted counties will receive automatic adjustments to their Merit-Based Incentive Payment System scores. Some physicians will still have the option to report data and receive a corresponding payment adjustment.

SAFER Guides Help Safeguard Practice Operations During EHR Downtime - 08/14/2025

In case of natural disasters, cyberattacks, and more, the guides include checklists, action-based worksheets, and recommendations to help physicians reduce patient risks related to electronic health records.

DSHS Update: Pfizer Boosters Authorized for All Adolescents Aged 12-17 - 08/13/2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is highlighting recent updates to federal government recommendations for COVID-19 boosters and additional doses following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) recent authorization for children as young as age 12 to receive boosters.

Combating Measles Resource Center - 08/12/2025

Get caught up on measles-related news from state and federal agencies, as well as TMA's actions and resources, with this webpage. Find information from DSHS, patient-facing materials, and links to clinical insights.

New TMA Policy Sparked by Physician’s Commitment to Sleep Health - 08/12/2025

TMA’s obstructive sleep apnea policy, adopted at TexMed 2025 and rooted in a physician’s desire to bolster maternal health, extends the reach of its author’s recommendation for universal screening. A sleep questionnaire can help physicians align their practice with the policy.

TMA Backs Network Adequacy Bill and Other Insurance Reforms - 08/08/2025

With just a week until the bill-filing deadline, the Texas Medical Association is backing state legislation that furthers patients’ access to care by requiring adequate networks and bolstering prior authorization reforms, among other protections.

Omicron Variant Underscores Importance of Proven Tools to Fight COVID - 08/08/2025

The recently discovered omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has sparked fears about increased infectivity and transmissibility heading into the holiday season. But Texas Medical Association experts and public health officials say physicians and patients can lean into proven prevention strategies – including vaccination, masking, social distancing, improved ventilation, testing, and handwashing – as scientists continue to study the new threat.

“Administrative Churn” Could Cost Texas Medicaid Patients Their Coverage When PHE Ends - 08/08/2025

Nearly half of the 15 million Medicaid patients across the U.S. at risk of losing coverage when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends may fall prey to “administrative churning.” That is, they could lose coverage despite remaining eligible because of difficulties navigating the renewal process, address changes, and other administrative challenges.

National Suicide Hotline Changes to Simpler “988” Format - 08/08/2025

People coping with suicidal thoughts can now call 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Congress Mitigates 2024 Medicare Physician Pay Cut - 08/08/2025

Congress recently passed legislation halving the 3.4% Medicare physician pay cut that took effect on Jan. 1, 2024, following a months-long, high-pressure advocacy campaign by the Texas Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and others in organized medicine. But TMA and its allies continue to push for additional reform given that any cut threatens physicians’ practice viability and vulnerable patients’ access to care.

Address Delayed Care Pileup, TMA Tells House Panel - 08/08/2025

The COVID-19 pandemic strained an already overburdened primary health care system in Texas, making it vital that state lawmakers back measures that encourage patients to see a physician and catch up on delayed care before it gets even worse, Tyler pediatrician Valerie Smith, MD, told the Texas House of Representatives Select Committee on Health Care Reform.

Texas Leads National Charge for Medicare Physician Payment Reform - 08/08/2025

The Texas Delegation to the American Medical Association led the charge for more concrete action to achieve comprehensive Medicare physician payment reform , resulting in new AMA policy calling for less “talk” and more “action” to ensure access to care for patients.

UPDATE: TMB Continues to Clarify New Fingerprinting Requirement Ahead of License Renewals - 08/07/2025

As the first round of this year’s physician licensure renewals get under way, a new fingerprinting requirement affecting certain renewals has sparked confusion and concern among Texas physicians.

New Tool Assists with Medicaid Enrollment Challenges - 08/06/2025

Medicaid enrollment may now be easier for Texas physicians to navigate, thanks to an online tool that answers questions on the spot and lets users schedule troubleshooting appointments. TMA will monitor its performance and is seeking input from physicians who test it out.