News

Here’s Your 2026 Billing and Coding Checklist - 01/16/2026

TMA’s Physician Payment Resource Center works year-round with member physicians and health plans to resolve certain insurance payment issues. They suggest these practical actions you can take at the start of 2026 to keep your billing and collections on track throughout the year.

Rural-Access Solution Goes Before Senate Committee - 01/16/2026

The culmination of many months and meetings, TMA-backed Senate Bill 2695 was unveiled to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, opening a new pipeline for rural access to care while preserving Texas’ physician-led care model.

Physicians Can Become Influencers with New TMA Resource - 01/15/2026

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.

Medicare Judicial Dispute Threshold Increases in 2026 - 01/14/2026

Physicians who take initial steps to dispute Medicare or Medicare Advantage decisions, upon receiving unfavorable reviews, can opt for two quasi-judicial pathways to resolve the case. However, the amount in controversy in the underlying dispute must meet a minimum amount, which has risen 11% over the past four years.

One Insurance Company Holds Majority Share of Texas Market, Per AMA Study - 01/14/2026

Increasing insurance consolidation negatively impacts both physicians and patients, according to the American Medical Association, making advocacy crucial.

Texas Lung Cancer Cases Down as Screening, Treatment Lag - 01/14/2026

Texas’ rate of new cases declined 15% over five years, according to the American Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report. However, barriers still impede regular screening for high-risk groups.

Cap at Hand: Federal Loan Changes Could Exacerbate Medical Students’ Financial Challenges - 01/14/2026

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.

Federal Lawmakers Agree to Surprise Billing Restrictions, Physician Payment Protections - 01/13/2026

Federal lawmakers put new restrictions on surprise medical billing, reduced requirements that would’ve cut physician Medicare payments, and secured COVID-19-related relief for physicians as part of a massive omnibus legislation package approved this week.

Texas Medical Board Posts More Details on E-Prescribing Waivers - 01/13/2026

Prescriptions for all controlled substances must be filed electronically. However, prescribers who demonstrate financial or technical hardships, or other exceptional circumstances, can apply for a waiver that, if approved, will grant a one-year delay.

Dallas Physicians Spice Up Monthly Walks with Food for Thought - 01/13/2026

This Walk with a Doc leader couple starts each event with a cooking demonstration, teaching community members how to eat healthy to prevent disease. Walk with a Doc Texas is made possible by the TMA Foundation.

Mixed Bag: Federal Changes May Narrow Certain Medicaid Eligibility Provisions, Boost Others - 01/12/2026

Changes on the horizon include a shortened timetable for giving new Medicaid applicants retroactive coverage, more frequent eligibility checks, and an expansion of the populations eligible for home and community-based services. Texas will also need to reconcile an issue concerning CHIP waiting periods and benefit caps.

Why This Physician Is ‘Using as Many AI Tools as Possible’ - 01/12/2026

Ogechika Alozie, MD, uses artificial intelligence for clinical decision support, treatment recommendations, and billing, payment, and contract review, among other applications. He says physicians shouldn’t fear the technology – and should instead use it to help medicine grow.

DSHS Survey to Inform Legislative Policy on COVID-19 Vaccines in Texas - 01/09/2026

As part of a 2021 legislative mandate, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is funding a survey to collect feedback from physicians and health care professionals regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines.   The COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Confidence (COVHAC) Survey: A Rapid Community A

Don’t Forget: Fingerprinting Mandatory for License Renewal - 01/07/2026

Failure to comply could delay license renewal or reinstatement, as one Texas physician learned. TMA encourages members to begin the process early, as fingerprint background check results are required before physicians can access the online registration.

Governor Vetoes Bill Gutting Medical Board - 12/30/2025

The full force of TMA advocacy came to bear in the veto of Senate Bill 268, which would have eviscerated an important Texas Medical Board function: halting the unlicensed practice of medicine by health professionals licensed by another Texas agency.

CMS Delivers Temporary Bump to Medicare Pay in 2026, Among Sweeping Changes in Proposed Fee Schedule - 12/30/2025

A temporary, one-year 2.5% Medicare payment update across the board reflects requirements Congress approved in its final budget. The proposal also includes, for the first time, two separate conversion factors with slight, albeit permanent, updates aimed at promoting value-based care.

Physicians Must Disclose AI Use Alongside Existing HIPAA Requirements, Per State Laws - 12/30/2025

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.

Vaccine Uptake Improves Amid Measles Momentum - 12/30/2025

With measles spreading to another corner of the state and showing little sign of slowing, adjusted vaccine recommendations apply to residents of and visitors to 10 affected counties. TMA Foundation grants are available to support vaccine clinics.

Direct Payment Model Available to All Texas Physicians Under New State Law - 12/30/2025

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.

Medicine Whelms Nurse Scope Expansion Bill - 12/30/2025

Physicians from across the state made the trek to the Capitol to testify that House Bill 3974 would dismantle Texas’ longstanding physician-led care model and with it, patient safety. TMA and the legislature remain committed to quality solutions to the state’s access-to-care challenges.

U.S. Main Residency Match Reveals New and Growing Specialty Interests - 12/30/2025

This year’s match results show growth in osteopathy, a rebound in emergency medicine and pediatrics, and obstetrics holding steady.

Cigna Clarifies Terms, Conditions of Its High-Level E/M Downcoding Policy - 12/30/2025

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.

Ten Specialties Show Lower Intent-to-Quit Rates - 12/30/2025

With nearly one-third of physicians reporting an intention to leave their current organization in the next two years, an American Medical Association survey shows the 10 specialties with the lowest percentages, likely due to progress on burnout rates.

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Retains Payment Increase and Concerning Cuts - 12/24/2025

A new practice efficiency cut impacting thousands of codes and a cut targeting hospital-based services could offset a one-time payment boost. TMA staff are poring over the 1,216-page final rule ahead of its Nov. 20 webinar, free for physicians.

“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