News

Younger Breast Cancer Screening Targets Rising Rates - 10/08/2025

TMA holds to recommendations that women begin routine annual mammograms at age 40. Per the American Cancer Society, breast cancer in women younger than age 50 is rising at double the rate of older women. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

TMA Fund Offers Assistance for Substance Abuse Treatment - 10/07/2025

If you or a colleague is struggling with alcohol or any other substance abuse disorder and needs treatment, TMA's Physicians Benevolent Wellness Fund is here to provide financial assistance for qualified physicians and their immediate families.

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.

Tobacco Awareness Program Aims to Educate Young Texans Without Punishment - 10/07/2025

A new resource gives an option to people under 21 who have been found in possession of tobacco products: a referral course to learn about health hazards and the tobacco industry’s pernicious marketing.

Opioid-like Exposures from Kratom Derivative on the Rise - 10/06/2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services warns physicians and patients of the harms of 7-OH, a chemical derivative of kratom, which at high concentrations can cause rapid heart rate, seizures, and respiratory depression. TMA previously testified on kratom’s risks to the public.

New Colorectal Education Resources Equip Patients and Physicians - 10/06/2025

Signs and symptoms, risk factors, and screening guidelines for colorectal cancer can be found in TMA’s new one-pagers, a patient-facing resource and a handout for physicians. Reluctance to discuss symptoms can impede timely diagnosis.

TMA Monitors Government Shutdown: What You Need to Know - 10/03/2025

TMA is in regular communication with federal colleagues at the American Medical Association on the impact to physician practices, as AMA remains in touch with senior officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Texas Expands Newborn Screening Panel to Include Four Lysosomal Diseases - 10/01/2025

The addition of four rare genetic conditions to the state’s battery of blood tests for infants brings the total of screened conditions to 59. Each newborn is assessed twice to identify infants who may have one or more of the dozens of conditions.

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.

New State CME Targets Congenital Syphilis’ Rising Rates - 09/30/2025

Physicians can access free CME through the state to help turn the tide in Texas amid stubbornly high prevalence rates.

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.

TMA Board Approves Expanding References to Evidence-Based Vaccine Resources - 09/26/2025

The decision follows federal changes that represent a departure from past vaccine policies and have raised concerns among the medical community.

Telemedicine Flexibilities Could Expire Sept. 30 Amid Government Shutdown Uncertainty - 09/26/2025

If Congress cannot pass legislation extending government funding before Oct. 1, the government will shut down and current Medicare telemedicine flexibilities will lapse on Sept. 30.

Physicians Tout Augmented Intelligence, with Caveats, at Business of Medicine Conference - 09/25/2025

At this year’s event, augmented intelligence (AI) took center stage with multiple presentations on its practical applications for physicians. Presenters and TMA staff still caution against over-reliance and liability.

New Medicare Payment Complicated by Other Provisions in Proposed Rule - 09/25/2025

Despite a one-time pay increase, newly proposed adjustments in the 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule could offset the reprieve. This tops many issues TMA remarked upon in a lengthy comment letter to federal officials encompassing worrisome changes to certain quality payment programs and telemedicine flexibilities.

Physicians Brace for Expiration of ACA Tax Credits, Uninsured Fallout - 09/25/2025

An estimated 1.3 million Texans could lose coverage due to the combined effects of Affordable Care Act marketplace changes under OBBBA and the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of this year. “Physicians are definitely going to feel the effects.”

Misinformation Increasingly Complicates Care, Physicians Foundation Survey Finds - 09/22/2025

Most physicians feel equipped to identify and correct misinformation in conversations with patients, but a significant portion doubt patients’ ability to access accurate health information online.

Workforce Expansion, Tech Could Help Border Health Care - 09/19/2025

As new solutions to persistent border issues surface, collaboration is vital among physicians, health authorities, and local leaders. TMA’s annual Border Health Conference explored those new pathways.

Texas’ Physician Wellness Efforts Recognized Nationally - 09/18/2025

An American Medical Association recognition program has newly honored nine Texas hospitals who have demonstrated a deep commitment to reducing burnout and promoting job satisfaction for physicians.

Medicare to Test Enhanced Technology Utilization Review in Texas - 09/16/2025

The Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model is set to debut in Texas and five other states in January 2026. It would require certain Medicare services to undergo “enhanced technology” review.

New Law Allows Health Plans to Steer Patients Via Incentives, Changes Ranking and Tiering Protections - 09/16/2025

Senate Bill 926, which took effect Sept. 1, authorizes certain health plans to steer patients toward certain physicians or health care entities via cost-sharing incentives. TMA advocacy secured provisions that help protect against deceitful steering and help physicians monitor and guard against errors.

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.

Delegating to Nonphysician Practitioners - 09/12/2025

Delegating prescriptive authority to nonphysician practitioners (NPPs), such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, can help physicians manage their workloads and budgets. But doing so requires vigilance to comply with state scope-of-practice laws and avoid costly billing mistakes.

“Incident-to” Billing for Nonphysician Services Requires Vigilance - 09/12/2025

For many physician employers, the subject of nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) and “incident-to” billing prompts more questions than answers.

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.