Standing Up for Texas Doctors

Dr. Malone Medicare News Conference
Last-Minute Action Delays Fee CutPhysicians got a brief reprieve from a 27.4 percent Medicare pay cut Friday when the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives each passed a two-month extension of several important policies that expire on Jan. 1. A House-Senate conference committee will convene in January to work on a longer-term agreement.  
Dr Malone testifying at House Public Health Committee
HHSC to Cut Dual Eligible Payments
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) plans to eliminate coinsurance and deductible payments for Medicare Part B services for patients eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, known as dual eligibles. The change is outlined in new rules HHSC is scheduled to adopt in January. TMA fought the change in the Texas Legislature.
Lady doc and Capitol
Contact Congress TodayAct today to convince Congress to fix the defective formula it uses to pay physicians who care for Medicare patients. Congress recognizes the value that hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care professionals provide Medicare patients. They ALL get yearly payment increases. Physicians should, too.
Student
Block ICD-10Spurred by its Texas members, the AMA House of Delegates voted to oppose a federal mandate that physicians switch to the ICD-10 claims-coding system."ICD-10 is going to be an absolute disaster in implementation for the physicians of this country," one Texas delegate said.

Helping Doctors with Their Practice

Calendar of Doom
Calendar of Doom Can Keep You CompliantAre You Ready for These Deadlines?

Jan. 15 - Estimated Federal Income Tax Payment Due
March 1 - Deadline to Opt Out of Medicare
BIlling and Coding tab
Major Insurers Still Accept 4010 Claims Three major insurers now say they will still accept and pay physicians' claims in both the HIPAA 4010 and 5010 formats through April 1, even though Jan. 1 was the deadline for physicians to begin using the 5010 claims standards. Those insurers are Medicare, Texas Medicaid, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. UnitedHealthcare said it will accept claims in both version but did not say for how long.
Practice Help Technology Home Tab
REC Technical Consulting Running Out?Once the limited number of grant spots are filled for each Texas Regional Extension Center (REC), technical consulting services will no longer be available at the subsidized $300 rate. Don’t miss the opportunity to enroll while it is still available.
Consultants
Hire a TMA Consultant TodayLooking for seamless solutions to your most puzzling practice problems? For the best in practice management assistance, contact TMA Practice Consulting today.With practice management experience, knowledge of best practices, and access to TMA’s tools and resources, a TMA consultant can provide customized solutions specific to your practice.

The Information Texas Doctors Need

What's Hot

  • Social Media Connects Physicians and PatientsAs loud as physicians may "shout," they can never make as much political noise as the collective voice of their patients. The power of social media blogs is that they foster conversation among people who would likely never see, hear, or speak with one another. That cyber-dialogue among groups of physicians and groups of patients expands the patient-physician relationship beyond the exam room. READ MORE
  • Latest TMA Tweet texmed: Blogged Arteries: TMB Starts Remedial Plan System - The Texas Medical Board has implemented fairness provisions of a... http://t.co/ROTvARueRead More

  • Ask TMA

    TMA has compiled our most frequently asked questions in an easy to use Q&A format for members only. Find information on membership, advocacy, public health, practice management, and much more. READ MORE

  • A Healthy Return on Dues

    What do YOU get from your TMA and county society dues investment each year? Use our new, interactive  calculator to determine your dues ROI. READ MORE

  • In the Spotlight

    TMA named a "top workplace" in Greater Austin. A happy workforce means they’re going to be productive, they’re going to stay with TMA, and they’re going to serve the physicians who in turn serve patients. READ MORE

Education & Events

  • TMA 2012 Winter Conference

    Jan. 27-28 – Austin, TX

    Join your colleagues for TMA's 2012 Winter Conference to equip yourself with new technologies, hear updates on the latest marketplace trends, and collaborate with colleagues on legislative and regulatory strategies.

    Need a room? The AT&T Center is currently sold out.The Doubletree is offering a TMA discount with code 0560034652. Reserve by phone at 800-222-8733 or visit or book online at www.austinsuites.doubletree.com.

    Winter Conference Dawn Duster: Nonphysician Providers – Fundamentals of Billing and Supervision
    Incorporating NPPs into your practice can be a smart move that results in enhanced profitability and efficiency. 

    If you always wanted to take advantage of new social media tools like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or LinkedIn but don’t know how to start, the new TMA Social Media Lab is just the place for you. Three sessions are scheduled for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Space is limited so you must preregister when you register for the conference.