Blogged Arteries

Rapid spread of the H1N1 flu virus has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize the use of the investigational antiviral drug peramivir.

FDA Approves Peramivir Use for H1N1
10/26/2009 7:00 PM

The TMA Physicians Benevolent Fund (PBF) helps those in the extended TMA family who need support because of poverty, infirmity, disability, accident, or other adversity. This extended family embraces physicians, their widows, widowers, and dependents.

PBF Helps Us Take Care of Our Own
10/26/2009 7:00 PM

Small physician and accounting practices are exempt from the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) "red flags rule" under legislation the U.S. House of Representatives passed on Oct. 20.

Bill Exempts Small Practices From Red Flag Rule
10/26/2009 7:00 PM

TMA Foundation’s 17th annual benefit on Friday, April 30, 2010, offers a night filled with western charm and entertainment.

TMA Foundation Plans 2010 TexMed Benefit
10/26/2009 7:00 PM

The potential of health information technology (HIT), including electronic medical records (EMR), to strengthen the health care system and improve quality of care has garnered nationwide attention.

EMR Guide Links to a Better Future
10/26/2009 7:00 PM

The National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC) is asking physicians, insurers, and others in the health care industry to complete a survey on potential changes to the 1500 Health Insurance Claim Form.

How Would You Change the 1500 Form?
10/21/2009 7:00 PM

Seasonal influenza and the novel H1N1 form of the virus have descended upon physicians' offices across the state of Texas. Doctors face a rare challenge this year as they hustle to vaccinate patients against two forms of disease while staying up to date on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and local health departments.

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This installment of Podcast TMA examines the DSHS plan of action in response to novel H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. The cover story of the November 2009 issue of Texas Medicine magazine examines planning for both strains of the virus at the state and local level and stresses the importance of physicians vaccinating themselves against the diseases. Today, James Morgan, DSHS assistant commissioner for Regional and Local Health Services, shares the latest information on preventing influenza overload in your community and treating the illnesses promptly.

This installment covers:

• Advice for physicians caring for patients sick with H1N1 flu and seasonal flu;
• An update on the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines;
• The importance of a well-coordinated local response to flu this year; and
• Resources for physicians regarding the H1N1 flu vaccine, use of antiviral drugs, and flu treatment advice.

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The Texas Medical Association urges members to contact U.S. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn today and ask them to support S 1776, the "Medicare Physicians Fairness Act of 2009," which will be the subject of a critical vote in the Senate …

Emergency Medicare Votes Coming
10/15/2009 7:00 PM

You can take it with you! STAT!Ref mobile, that is. STAT!Ref has been optimized for delivery on mobile devices! Now, you can get smart healthcare answers stat right from your smartphone.

STAT!Ref Delivered Through TMA Web Site 10/13/2009 7:00 PM

Six Texans who want to be the next U.S. Senator from our state will make their cases to the Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) at a candidate forum at 7 pm Oct. 24 during the TMA Specialty Society Legislative Retreat at the Westin …

TEXPAC Hosts Senate Candidate Forum
10/12/2009 7:00 PM

Medicare began making 2008 incentive payments to physicians participating in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) on Oct. 12.

Medicare Begins 2008 PQRI Payments
10/12/2009 7:00 PM

The Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) has a new colleague referral program called Entrust.

Entrust Your Insurance to TMLT
10/12/2009 7:00 PM

Texas Medical Board President Irvin Zeitler, DO, has appointed the members of the governing board of the Texas Physicians Health Program (TPHP).

TPHP Governing Board Appointed
10/12/2009 7:00 PM

Are you prepared to deal the Medicare's Recovery Audit Contractor program to recover improperly paid claims next year? If not, TMA can help make sure you are.

Are You Ready for the RAC?
10/12/2009 7:00 PM

Medicaid will reimburse physicians for administering the intranasal or injected H1N1 vaccine, the Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership says in a notice posted on its Web site.

Medicaid, Medicare to Reimburse for H1N1
10/8/2009 7:00 PM

Blue Cross and Blue Shield officials say a laptop computer with a file containing identifying information for every physician in the country who contracts with a Blue Cross-affiliated insurance plan was stolen in August.

Blue Cross Doctor Data Stolen
10/7/2009 7:00 PM

Physicians who treat workers' compensation patients can get information and guidance from the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers' Compensation by calling the new Comp Connection for Health Care Providers at (800) 372-7713 or, in the Austin …

TDI Offers Workers' Comp Help By Phone
10/7/2009 7:00 PM

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) oft-delayed "red flags rule" is scheduled to take effect until Nov. 1, and physicians need to know how the rule will affect their practices

Red Flag Rule Starts in November
10/6/2009 7:00 PM

The final TMA "house call" on health system reform will be in El Paso on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at Cathedral High School, 1309 N. Stanton

El Paso Last House Call Stop
10/6/2009 7:00 PM

You may be able to earn bonuses through Medicare (up to $44,000) or Medicaid (up to $63,750) over the next several years if you demonstrate "meaningful use" of an electronic medical record (EMR) in your practice.

Earn a Bonus for Your EMR
10/6/2009 7:00 PM

TMA encourages you to participate in a brief national survey to help better understand and evaluate how physicians can be incorporated into, and be reimbursed for participating in, employer-based health improvement and other employer health-management …

We Need Your Help! Take a Survey
10/6/2009 7:00 PM

Did a science teacher influence you to go into medicine?

Honor a Science Teacher
10/6/2009 7:00 PM

Oct. 30 is the deadline to nominate a health improvement program for the 2010 TMA Foundation John P. McGovern Champion of Health Award.

Nominate a 'Champion' Health Program
10/6/2009 7:00 PM

From TMA Flu Fighters: H1N1 may infect a greater proportion of our population than is typically experienced with seasonal influenza. As a result, we may see greater numbers of hospitalizations and deaths this flu season, particularly in the younger age …

Five Things to Consider This Flu Season
10/5/2009 7:00 PM

TMA has added two more events to its series of "house calls" on health system reform so physicians can learn firsthand how patients feel about the current health system reform proposals.

TMA Schedules McAllen, El Paso House Calls
9/28/2009 7:00 PM

Physicians and patients battling H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu this season have someone in their corner. A subcommittee of the TMA Committee on Infectious Diseases, known as the Flu Fighters, will keep practitioners up to date on H1N1 information and …

Flu Fighters' Tips On Fighting the Flu
9/28/2009 7:00 PM

October is the beginning of "collection season" for agencies, a roughly six-month period of mostly increasing recoveries.

It's 'Collection Season'
9/28/2009 7:00 PM

Family Practice Physician position/practice available in critical access hospital and rural health clinic in small, rural community between Fort Worth and Red River.

Doctor Wanted
9/28/2009 7:00 PM

Responding to concerns about marketing and sales of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued rules to prevent abuses and protect patients.

CMS Issues New Medicare Marketing Rules
9/24/2009 7:00 PM

Noting that physicians "should advocate for the well-being of their patients," Texas Medical Association President William H. Fleming III, MD, has written Texas members of Congress  written Texas members of Congress that the state's physicians "stand ready …

TMA Offers Congress Insights on Reform
9/24/2009 7:00 PM

For the seventh time since TMA pushed liability insurance reform through the legislature in 2003, the Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) is cutting physicians' premiums.

Tort Reform Prompts More TMLT Premium Cuts
9/22/2009 7:00 PM

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has shipped H1N1 antivirals to 194 H-E-B pharmacies in 42 Texas counties to make sure the medication is available for uninsured and underinsured persons.

DSHS Ships H1N1 Antivirals to H-E-B
9/21/2009 7:00 PM

Effective Jan. 1, a new state law will change the way pregnant women are tested for HIB.

New Law Affects Pregnancy Testing
9/21/2009 7:00 PM

Is your practice ready to demonstrate "meaningful use" of an electronic medical record (EMR) so you are in line to earn bonuses through Medicare (up to $44,000) or Medicaid (up to $63,750) over the next several years?

Can You Earn Your EMR Bonus?
9/21/2009 7:00 PM

In July, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine opened its doors to an inaugural class of 40 students. The Foster School of Medicine is the first new medical school in Texas in more than 30 years and the only medical school located on the U.S.-Mexico border.

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The cover story in the October issue of Texas Medicine takes an in depth look at the Foster School of Medicine and some of the things that make it unique among Texas medical schools. In this installment of Podcast TMA, Jose Manuel de la Rosa, MD, founding dean of the Foster School of Medicine; Manuel Schydlower, MD, professor of pediatrics and associate dean for admissions; and Brian Tobin, PhD, associate dean of medical education and founding chair of the Department of Medical Education, discuss the start of medical school classes and their unique approach to medical education. This installment covers:

• The opening of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.
• The school’s “holistic” approach to medical school admissions.
• An “integrated” curriculum that bases instruction on organ systems and promotes clinical experiences in the earliest stages of medical school education.
• The school’s emersion of its students in the cultural, language, and family dynamics of border residents.
• The Foster School of Medicine’s plans for future expansion.

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Want to Subscribe to Podcast TMA through iTunes?

Here's the link. It takes you to the iTunes store. Subscription is free.

• Catch up on all the old Podcast TMA episodes on the TMA Web site.
• What's a Podcast, how do I get it, and what do I with it once I have it? (See the short tutorial on the iTunes Web site.)