News

Medicare Fee Schedule Webinar Highlights Telemedicine, New Specialty Initiatives - 11/26/2025

In addition to uneven payment news, TMA shared the latest on telemedicine, coding changes, and new initiatives set to launch in 2026 and 2027.

Notify Medicare of Participation Changes by Dec. 31 - 11/25/2025

TMA reminds all physicians to check their Medicare participation information to make sure it is current. Those changing their status in 2026 will need to send notification via mail.

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.

Resolutions Due Jan. 30 for House of Delegates Consideration - 11/19/2025

With TexMed set a little earlier than usual this year in April, TMA’s House of Delegates is already gearing up its policymaking process. And good TMA policy starts with good resolution-writing, which can be done by any member.

Education Center Improvements Streamline CME Access - 11/18/2025

Changes make registering and completing CME courses faster and easier and improve mobile compatibility.

Legislators Can Request Health Insurance Mandate Analysis Via New State Law - 11/18/2025

Though the filed version of the bill would have heavily favored insurance companies, TMA successfully worked to add data transparency provisions to promote a comprehensive and unbiased analysis. Lawmakers also focused on price transparency bills affecting how facilities can bill patients for services.

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.

More Telehealth Waivers Set to Expire Dec. 31 - 11/14/2025

As TMA monitors the government shutdown and the coinciding expiration of certain telehealth waivers as of Sept. 30, physicians should take notice of another series of telehealth waivers set to expire at the end of this year.

Texas ACOs Produce Millions in Medicare Shared Savings Despite Pandemic - 11/13/2025

After a transition year in 2019,  accountable care organizations (ACOs) enrolled in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) faced another daunting challenge: the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medicare Proposal Offers More Flexibility for ACOs - 11/13/2025

A proposed regulation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would give certain accountable care organizations (ACOs) leeway to move at their own pace in graduating through the different levels of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and the Texas Medical Association wants to ensure that flexibility sticks.

Medicaid Waiver Extension Request Should Include Physicians, Uninsured Coverage, TMA Testifies to HHSC - 11/13/2025

Facing the loss of crucial uncompensated care funding, the Texas Medical Association is helping the state craft a request to the Biden administration to reinstate an extension on Texas’ Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver. And that request should include physicians in the safety net plan, Gary Floyd, MD, TMA’s president-elect for 2022-23, testified at a recent hearing.  

Mental Health Care for New Moms Costs Texas $2.2 billion Each Year, Report Says - 11/13/2025

Texas spends about $2.2 billion each year helping young mothers and their children deal with maternal mental health condition, according to a report released today.

Are You Doing Enough to Prevent ID Theft? - 11/13/2025

With tax season upon us, it’s important to remember that there are always opportunists ready to defraud honest, hardworking taxpayers like you. A common scheme involves filing a false tax return with a stolen Social Security number, a scenario that happened to some TMA members a few years ago.

Physicians Must Refund Medicare Overpayments Voluntarily, Program Administrator Cautions - 11/13/2025

Novitas, Texas’ Medicare administrator, reminds physicians they should promptly bring incorrect payments to its attention. TMA can assist physicians with payment issues through its Physician Payment Resource Center.

Hospital Asks for Expedited Trial in Fort Worth Life-Sustaining Treatment Case - 11/13/2025

Believing that court-mandated, life-sustaining treatment is causing harm to a child in its care, Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth is attempting to resolve a highly publicized court case as quickly as possible.

AMA Pushes to End National Clinical Skills Exams for U.S. Medical Students - 11/13/2025

American Medical Association (AMA) delegates called on AMA to urge the speedy end to the clinical skills part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 and Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Level 2 for U.S. medical students.

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills Exam Eliminated - 11/13/2025

In a move long called for by the Texas Medical Association, the two organizations that run the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) announced last week that they have ended the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) portion of the USMLE examination.

TMA Policymaking Operates on Physician-Driven Input - 11/12/2025

Every physician can look around and see a policy change or improvement that could make life better for patients and colleagues. TMA’s House of Delegates, the organization’s policymaking body that meets annually at TexMed, is often the best place to set reform in motion.

Medicine Calls for Exemption to New $100,000 H-1B Visa Application Fee - 11/11/2025

International medical graduates (IMGs) make up about a quarter of Texas’ physician workforce, considering both licensed physicians and residents. But a White House executive order, requiring a new $100,000 fee for H-1B work visa applicants, could squeeze this crucial pipeline in meeting health care needs.

Obesity Rate Continues to Hike Among Adult Texans - 11/10/2025

Recent findings show the share of adults with obesity is still climbing, maintaining a 20-year upward trend in the state. Texas officials and the legislature work to combat the issue through state programs and new legislation.

New Medicaid Managed Care Laws Lauded as Wins for Texas Patients - 11/10/2025

Medicaid captured the Texas Legislature’s attention during the 2025 session, with lawmakers passing a quartet of bills focused on improving managed care statewide, including nutrition and newborn support, physician enrollment, and credentialing.

Direct Payment Model Available to All Texas Physicians Under New State Law - 11/10/2025

House Bill 541, now in effect, replaces the “direct primary care” nomenclature from a TMA-backed 2015 law with the more inclusive “direct patient care.” In a typical direct care model, patients pay a monthly fee, and in return, receive services like office visits and in-office procedures without involving insurance.

Scholarship Winner Takes Unconventional Journey to Medical School - 11/07/2025

The first-year medical student at University of North Texas Health Science Center’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine volunteers with a free clinic in Fort Worth and teaches music to high school students. His path to medicine impressed a panel led by TMA’s president-elect.

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.