News

“What If I’m Running Low on PPE?” - 12/17/2025

One of the biggest challenges physicians have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic is keeping themselves, their staff, and their patients safe while still providing the best possible care.  Unfortunately, demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) is exceeding supply because of an extreme surge in pati

Medicaid Revalidation Extended Again - 12/17/2025

Physicians who were disenrolled and have already submitted Medicaid revalidation applications now have until Jan. 31, 2026, to complete the process. Those with revalidation applications due by the end of May 2026 also received additional time to complete the process.

Medicare Freezes Thresholds for MIPS Exemption - 12/15/2025

If you’re in a Qualifying Alternative Payment Model (APM) in Medicare’s Quality Payment Program (QPP), or you’re considering making the jump, take note: The thresholds for participating this year are now the same as in 2020 thanks to recent federal law.

Medicine Supports Congressional Effort to Streamline Medicare Advantage Prior Auth - 12/15/2025

Prior authorization continues to cause delays in care and poorer patient health outcomes. A 2022 report shows that some Medicare Advantage claims that were denied would have been accepted under traditional Medicare guidelines.

Physicians Must Disclose AI Use Alongside Existing HIPAA Requirements, Per State Laws - 12/15/2025

Texas Senate Bill 1188 and Texas House Bill 149 require physicians to follow certain disclosure requirements when using artificial intelligence (AI). As these laws take effect, Texas physicians should ensure compliance in conjunction with HIPAA mandates.

WISeR’s Texas Administrators Coordinate with TMA to Ease Transition - 12/12/2025

Aiming to smooth the transition for physicians impacted by a new Medicare prior authorization pilot, the Texas Medical Association is coordinating with Cohere Health, the entity responsible for processing the program’s requests in Texas.

Clinic Uses AI for Better Patient-Physician Interactions - 12/10/2025

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.

Texas Can’t Afford for Congress to Let ACA Tax Credits Expire - 12/08/2025

Lawmakers must realize what’s at stake by not firming up a deal that keeps the credits in place: higher health care costs, poorer health outcomes and further destabilization of our health system. This opinion-editorial first appeared in the Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 4, 2025.

TMA’s LGBTQ Health Section Elects New Leaders - 12/04/2025

The LGBTQ Health Section kicked off its status as the Texas Medical Association’s newest section by electing a fresh slate of top officers. Newly elected section Chair Maria Monge, MD, encouraged TMA physicians and medical students to join the section whether or not they identify as LGBTQ.

Free Early-Career Education for Residency Programs Open for 2026 - 12/04/2025

Each “Starting Your Career” seminar is conducted live or online by TMA’s practice management experts and focuses on nonclinical skills critical to starting or entering practice.

More Telehealth Waivers Set to Expire Dec. 31 - 12/04/2025

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.

Inaugural TexMed Blood Drive Augments Whole Blood Efforts - 12/04/2025

The blood drive will take place April 17-18, 2026. Earlier this year, physician leaders joined other stakeholders to request funding for whole blood. Now, TMA looks to support and strengthen efforts as funds roll out.

Advocacy, Passion Motivates Medical Student Scholarship Winners - 12/04/2025

The Harris County Medical Alliance Scholarship has awarded close to half a million dollars in its history. This year, 16 medical students at three Houston schools are receiving scholarships.

One Physician’s 50-Year Journey to Make Sure Empathy is a Part of Patient Care - 12/04/2025

Fazlur Rahman, MD, made San Angelo his home more than a half-century ago. Over that time, he’s made it his mission to stress how bedside compassion is just as important as science in caring for patients.

TMA Council, Committee Applications Due Jan. 9 - 12/03/2025

The weeks leading up to TexMed, TMA’s annual policymaking conference, mean new members are selected for TMA’s councils and committees – the engine driving medicine’s grassroots advocacy. Physicians interested in serving or recommending a colleague to serve must submit nominations by Jan. 9, 2026.

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 Helps Advance National Policy at AMA Interim Meeting - 12/03/2025

In a dynamic forum, dozens of Texas physicians and medical students joined nearly 2,000 colleagues from around the country to safeguard physicians' professional autonomy, combat scope creep, and streamline prior authorization. “We were all reminded the path forward demands active participation.”

Behavioral Health Infrastructure Gets Legislative Focus with TMA-Supported Bills - 12/02/2025

In addition to addressing youth social media use, the legislature also set out to create a pipeline for aspiring mental health professionals. Plus, TMA will help study how to balance psychiatric care burdens.

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.