News

DSHS Establishes World Cup Hotline to Help Physicians Diagnose Disease - 06/03/2026

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is offering a free hotline to assist physicians and other clinicians in Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth with the diagnosis and management of suspected infectious disease during FIFA World Cup events in mid-June.

Use of AI Chatbots Grows in Mental Health Care; Physicians Can Help - 06/03/2026

About one in eight U.S. teens and young adults use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for mental health advice, opening the door for physicians to have conversations with patients about the technology.

New AMA Guidelines Counter AI Deepfakes Impersonating Physicians - 06/02/2026

The American Medical Association is outlining enforceable actions to take against physician deepfakes, or media that has been manipulated to misuse a physicians’ likeness. Its policy framework aims to stop the use of a physician’s face and voice to market fraudulent products online.

TMA Calls for Stronger THC Rules - 06/02/2026

A recent House of Delegates resolution regarding products infused with hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) advocates for increased safety regulations and enforcement, including child safety, testing, and labeling standards.

TMB Assists with CME Tracking Platform as Deadline Nears - 06/01/2026

The Texas Medical Board is taking steps to help physicians understand how to use the new mandatory tracking application CE Broker, including through webinars to be hosted this summer. TMA continues to field physician questions in advance of the Sept. 1 effective date.

TMB Extends License Expirations Amid New Lawful Presence Documentation Requirements - 06/01/2026

Physicians whose licenses expire May 31 now have until June 30 to meet new requirements by submitting a valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, or other acceptable documentation. According to the Texas Medical Board (TMB), this requirement is in accordance with federal law.

Education Sessions Help Residents Use AI Safely - 05/28/2026

Over five weeks of 60- to 90-minute lessons, internal medicine residents at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine learned about new artificial intelligence (AI) laws, how to engineer AI prompts, and more.

Act Soon: Texas Medicaid, CHIP Login System Changing in June - 05/28/2026

All Texas Medicaid physicians must change their login information June 8-15 or risk losing access. The change to a more secure login process precedes a TMA-supported overhaul of the physician enrollment and credentialing system coming in 2027.

Texas Public Health Community Prepares for World Cup Spotlight - 05/27/2026

From keeping fans cool to tracking disease, health leaders in Texas’ biggest cities have planned to keep the public health system functioning as they prepare for an influx of international soccer fans during the FIFA World Cup.

Quality Payment Program Exception Applications Open Now Through Dec. 31 - 05/27/2026

Physicians enrolled in the Quality Payment Program can apply for exemptions covering either interoperability or extreme and unusual circumstances. The submissions, due Dec. 31, will impact 2028 Medicare payment.

The Doctor and the Dinosaur: Traveling Toy Bridges Medicine and Family - 05/26/2026

Plucked from a claw machine ahead of a TMA meeting, a little yellow stuffed animal has bonded a medical family through decades of work in organized medicine. Owner Rodney Young, MD, says such strategies can help physician advocates stay engaged.

TMA Mentorship Gave New Physician Career Insight, Guidance - 05/26/2026

After months of text conversations, phone calls, and coffee meet ups with a TMA member-physician, Magdalena Anchondo, MD, matched into a residency program of her chosen specialty.

Physician Burnout Trending Down, but These 9 Specialties Report High Rates - 05/25/2026

Physician wellness continues to be a major focus for TMA. Recent data from the AMA shows nine specialties that report the highest rate of burnout, while physicians recommend ways to embrace workplace challenges.

TMA, Other Physician Groups Urge Reconsideration of Surprise Billing Rule - 05/23/2026

While the Texas Medical Association awaits action on its lawsuit over part of recent rulemaking for the federal surprise billing law, TMA recently teamed with the American Medical Association and others to engage the Biden administration outside court.

TMA Ask the Expert: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - 05/23/2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule takes effect on Jan. 1 and raises several concerns for physicians treating Medicare patients, including a series of mandated pay cuts totaling nearly 10% and changes to the already complex Quality Payment Program (QPP).

Texas Health Officials Urge Lawmakers to Prioritize Public Health Infrastructure at Distinguished Speaker Event - 05/22/2026

At the Texas Capitol, Austin and Houston health officials warned that eroding vaccine confidence and underfunded health systems leave communities vulnerable to costly, preventable outbreaks.

Chiropractors Seek to Expand Scope, Reopening Decades-Old Fight - 05/22/2026

Texas’ chiropractic board is seeking the state’s opinion on whether the board has the authority to adopt a rule permitting a chiropractor to perform needle electromyography. TMA’s response is a continuation of its advocacy to keep chiropractors in safe scope of practice.

BCBSTX to Implement Downcoding Policy July 1 - 05/22/2026

Payments for services provided to commercially insured patients will be lowered if the new Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) claims editing and review process determines those services do not support the E/M code level on the claim. TMA is ready to analyze the full policy, yet to be released.

UPDATE: Rural Texas Strong Grant Applications Extended - 05/22/2026

For the initiative most directly applicable to physician groups, the state anticipates awarding at least one grant per rural county of up to $725,000 to help recruit and train the rural workforce, with an application deadline of June 9. Other tracks for equipment and chronic disease prevention are also open.

Remove Telemedicine Site Restrictions in Medicare, TMA Tells Cornyn, Cruz - 05/21/2026

Amid fluid telemedicine-related activity in Austin, the Texas Medical Association is continuing its efforts to advance telehealth in Washington, D.C., as well.

TMA to Feds: Consider Texas Model While Examining Electronic Prior Auths - 05/21/2026

In responding to a federal agency’s questions about the potential impact of electronic prior authorization, the Texas Medical Association – as always – came out strongly against unnecessary prior authorizations in general, while specifically encouraging regulators to advance a version of Texas’ new “gold card” law to curb those practices.

Delay Upcoming Medicare Cut, TMA Tells Congress - 05/21/2026

With just days remaining until the latest Medicare physician pay cut takes effect, the Texas Medical Association has been lobbying for an eleventh-hour act of Congress to stop it.

TMA Calls on Lawmakers to Stop the Latest Medicare Pay Cut - 05/21/2026

Just days remain for Congress to stop yet another pending Medicare physician pay cut, and the Texas Medical Association is again feverishly working the nation’s Capitol.

Inflation Reduction Act Expands Health Coverage, Ignores Medicare Payment Fix - 05/21/2026

The Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on Aug. 16, has made headlines for its deficit- and climate change-related provisions. But the omnibus legislation also will expand health care coverage and lower Medicare prescription drug costs.

TMA Urges CMS to Nix Penalties Related to E-Prescribing Controlled Substances - 05/21/2026

The Texas Medical Association is pushing back against proposed penalties for physicians who don’t electronically prescribe controlled substances.