In this episode expert guest Dr. CM Schade elaborates on the Texas Medical Board's revamped CME requirements for opioid prescriptions, which now focus only on direct patient care physicians. He offers insights into how the new rules bring flexibility while placing an emphasis on meticulous documentation. With decades of experience in legislative advocacy, Dr. Schade shares valuable tips on navigating these changes and encourages utilizing TMA's educational resources. Access the ondemand webinar - Prescribing and Monitoring of Controlled Substances Access current TMB rules

Welcome to this episode of TMA's Practice Well Podcast, where we dive into the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Join us as Shannon Vogel, TMA's Associate Vice President for Health Information Technology, hosts a conversation with Dr. Dan McCoy, a leader in AI consulting and education. Explore the evolving terminology and concepts like data drift and hallucinations, and how they relate to AI in the medical field. Dr. McCoy shares his insights on pre-training and post-training of AI models, highlighting their implications for physicians. Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI presents, including the importance of validating AI outputs and maintaining safety standards. Learn practical strategies for physicians to engage with AI systems, enhance practice efficiency, and contribute to the ongoing development of AI models. Tune in to unlock the full potential of AI in medicine today. Claim CME credit for this episode and check out more CME to Go on AI in health care Access TMA AI Resources TMA Policy Compendium

Welcome to the TMA Practice Well podcast. In this episode, our host Shannon Vogel, TMA's Associate Vice President for Health Information Technology, engages in conversation with Dr. Nithisha Thatikonda, a resident at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. They explore the evolving role of augmented intelligence (AI) in healthcare and clinical research. Dr. Thatikonda shares insights on how AI, particularly machine learning, accelerates drug discovery and optimizes clinical trials. She discusses the AI-powered innovations that streamline drug development processes, enhance diversity in patient recruitment, and improve participant retention. Follow along as Dr. Thatikonda and Shannon delve into the challenges of using AI, like data quality and model performance variability, and emphasize the importance of human oversight and collaboration in advancing AI technologies responsibly. Join us to discover how AI is transforming healthcare research, ensuring safer, more efficient drug development, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Visit our episode description for additional resources and stay informed about AI in practice. Claim CME credit for this episode and check out more CME to Go on AI in health care Access TMA AI Resources TMA Policy Compendium  

Learn how to identify the right AI tools for your clinical and administrative needs, avoid shiny distractions, and ensure smooth integration with your existing systems. Whether you’re in a large hospital or a solo practice in a rural area, this episode offers strategies to help you adopt AI effectively and responsibly.

Dr. Ahmed, an experienced ophthalmologist and AI enthusiast, shares his journey into AI from programming as a high schooler to integrating cutting-edge technology in eye care. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Ahmed emphasizes the importance of AI as an assistant, agent, and superpower in enhancing clinical decision-making and reducing administrative burdens. Explore practical tips for implementing AI in both small independent practices and larger settings, addressing concerns physicians may have and demonstrating potential benefits, like improved patient interaction and saving time on routine tasks. Whether you’re a tech-savvy practitioner or new to AI, this insightful conversation highlights the transformative potential of integrating AI into healthcare.

In this educative episode of TMA’s Practice Well Podcast, Cara Benson and Alexis Harvey from TMA’s Physician Payment Resource Center look into the strategies essential for optimizing practice revenue in 2025

Welcome to this episode of the TMA Practice Well podcast, hosted by Cheryl Krhovjak, Director of the TMA Education Center. In this insightful discussion, we are joined by Robert Bennett, TMA Vice President of Medical Economics, to delve into the significant impact of Medicare 2025 physician fee schedule. With over 65 million beneficiaries, Medicare is a key player in health care, and its spending is projected to surge in the coming years. Robert highlights the recent updates in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including anticipated reductions in conversion factors unless Congress intervenes. This episode underscores the challenges faced by health care practices due to administrative burdens and payment cuts, which threaten patient access to physicians. The episode also discusses legislative efforts such as the Medicare Payment Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 and the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Provider Act, aimed at stabilizing physician payments and ensuring fair inflationary updates. Listeners are encouraged to advocate for these changes to protect their practice and patients. Additionally, discover the resources offered by the Texas Medical Association, including the Physician Payment Resource Center, to assist Texas physicians in navigating billing, coding, and payment challenges. Tune in for actionable insights and tips to help your practice thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape.

The Texas-Mexico border region faces unique health care challenges. Many people have diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health conditions, and they often lack health insurance – 42% of adults have no health coverage. At the recently held TMA Border Health Conference, physicians, other health care stakeholders, and government policymakers gathered to discuss how to strengthen border health care. NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties. This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

Discover the critical differences between medical claim denial management and  prevention programs, and learn how to set up effective processes to reduce and manage claim denials. Guest expert, Sabrina Skeldon, shares valuable insights on the financial impact of claim denials, the importance of clean claim ratios, and practical strategies for improving front desk, coding, and billing staff performance. Join us as we explore the true cost of reworking claims, the benefits of regular billing audits, and the overall advantage of adopting a denial prevention program. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you streamline your practice's revenue cycle and enhance financial viability. For more resources and on-demand education, check out the  TMA Education Center at www.texmed.org/education. Stay tuned for more episodes from TMA Practice Well. Until next time, stay well!

For more than two decades, the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County has played an important role in ensuring uninsured and under insured families get necessary vaccinations, especially before kids head to school. Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance members participate en masse to make the vaccination clinics a success by greeting patients and providing information on the vaccines available. In this episode of TMA Health Beat, volunteers explain how the Immunization Collaboration of Tarrant County got its start and what motivates them to spend their time at vaccination events. NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties. This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.

The number of people aged 65 and older in Texas will more than triple by 2050. As this population grows, Deborah Freeland, MD, a Dallas geriatrician, and Guadalupe  Zamora, MD, a family physician in Austin, weigh in on the specialized heath care needs of older patients and how the medical community can give them the care they need. NOTICE: This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast does not constitute legal or medical advice and does not ensure a successful outcome. This podcast does not substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. Consulting a personal physician is always a good practice when faced with health issues to obtain specific medical advice taking into consideration each person’s medical situation. Persons should not rely on this information when dealing with personal health matters; rather medical advice from their own personal physician should be sought. Although TMA has attempted to present materials that are accurate and useful, some material may be outdated and TMA shall not be liable to anyone for any inaccuracy, error, or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damages resulting therefrom. Certain links provided with this information may connect to websites maintained by third parties. TMA has no control over these websites, or the information, goods or services provided by third parties. TMA shall have no liability for any use or reliance by a user on these third-party websites or information provided by third parties. This podcast is also not intended to establish medical standards of care for the purposes of litigation, including expert testimony. The standard of care is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances of each individual case and no generalization can be made that would apply to all cases.  

As the summer temperatures rise and the heat index surges, many Texans suffer from heat-related illnesses. Hilary Fairbrother, MD, an emergency medicine physician and chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Emergency Medical Services and Trauma, says she sees many patients suffering from heat exhaustion and the more dangerous heat stroke. In this TMA Health Beat Podcast, she says, staying hydrated is the best way to stay safe in the heat and she describes some of her most typical heat illness patients.

In this episode of the TMA Practice Well podcast, recorded live at TexMed 2024, Dr. Toi Harris moderates an insightful panel discussion on fostering relationships for improved physician well-being. Joined by esteemed panelists Joshua Baker, Dr. Lane Aiena, and Dr. Cheryl Hurd, the conversation delves into the significance of both professional and personal relationships in enhancing health and happiness. Discover strategies for maintaining meaningful connections despite the challenges of a demanding medical career. Learn from real-life experiences shared by the panelists, including the vital role of mentorship and the impact of strong personal bonds. The episode also explores the importance of empathy, active listening, and effective communication in supporting colleagues through difficult times. Audience questions and reflections further enrich the discussion, providing practical tips for integrating well-being into everyday practice. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable advice to foster relationships that contribute to your overall well-being. Claim your CME credits for this episode by following the link in the description.

Welcome to TMA's Practice Well podcast, where we help you improve the health of all Texans. In this episode, we cover the latest updates and essential news for Texas physicians. Scroll down to get links referenced in this episode. Firstly, we discuss a crucial payer update: Cigna will start denying claims without Z-code documentation from July 14th. Learn how this change might impact your practice and what you need to do to comply. Next, we highlight Aetna's decision to pay Medicare Advantage G-2211 claims. Discover how this new policy can benefit your practice and ensure you are up-to-date with Medicare's latest coding requirements. We also introduce TMA's new Leadership Development Program, designed to support physicians at every career stage. This 18-month self-paced program offers in-person and on-demand courses to help you become a leader in organized medicine, practice management, or advocacy. Finally, we celebrate the installation of Dr. Ray Callas as the 159th President of TMA. Dr. Callas shares his journey and vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of physician advocacy and leadership. For more details on these stories, check the episode description. Remember to like and follow TMA Practice Well to receive every episode. Until next time, stay well! Physician Payment Resource Center Cigna to Deny Claims Without Z-Code Documentation Aetna Set to Pay Medicare Advantage G2211 Claims Lifelong Leadership: TMA Debuts Development Program for Physicians at Every Career Stage Straight Shooter: Incoming TMA President Ray Callas, MD, Aims for Practice Protections, Membership Gains  

Delve into the complexities, challenges, and joys of a fulfilling medical career with Dr. Rajani Katta in this insightful podcast episode. As an experienced dermatologist and mentor, Dr. Katta brings a unique perspective to maintaining career health in the medical field.  Dr. Katta emphasizes the importance of annual career check-ups and the ongoing self-evaluation of one’s professional growth and fulfillment. She explores the pressing issue of burnout among physicians while also introducing the 'Doctor Thinking' approach to career wellness and discusses the concept of effort to benefit ratio. Special emphasis is laid on personal modifications and strategic planning to enhance efficiency and productivity - experiences from her dermatology practice serve as real-world examples. The episode provides a critical examination of career dynamics in the medical field against the intricacies and pressures that come with the profession. Rich viewpoints on career longevity, task meaningfulness, and work-life balance lay the foundation for preventing physician burnout. The importance of cultivating positive relationships and maintaining adequate energy levels is also underlined, drawing references from the renowned Harvard Happiness Study. From dealing with rudeness at work to managing emotional exhaustion, Dr. Katta thoroughly reviews and addresses the issues physicians face in their career journey. The episode closes with a deep dive into the topic of physician burnout. Dr. Katta introduces the NASA Physician Task Load, a useful tool to structure how demanding a medical professional's workday is. She emphasizes the importance of doctors' self-care and the essential role of social support and strong relationships for mental well-being. This captivating episode not only offers a wealth of wisdom for medical professionals but serves as an important reminder of the necessity of maintaining mental health in demanding professions. Claim CME for this episode at the www.texmed.org/education. 

In an engaging episode of the TMA Practice Well podcast, we sample CME from TMA’s premiere conference TexMed. Guest speakers provide insightful discussion on essential aspects of maintaining a productive relationship with the Texas Medical Board, particularly important in light of telemedicine's post-pandemic boom. Dr. Mary Maness speaks on the growing issue of vaccine hesitancy. Then Dr. Mehta offers practical tips on using intense, non-judgmental awareness to foster physical health and psychological resilience. The compilation concludes with Dr. Kata, a successful mentor, offering advice on managing task load and burnout risks, emphasizing the importance of periodic career health evaluations to maintain a thriving work life. Registration today for TexMed 2024 and visit the TMA Education Center to find the full programs from this episode. 

The allergy season can be tough for many Texans who struggle with cough, runny nose and itchy eyes. Louise Bethea, MD, allergist and immunologist from The Woodlands, talks about the allergens that affect Texans the most, allergy induced asthma and the difference between allergies, and respiratory illnesses. 

In Case You Missed It… In this episode of TMA's Practice Well Podcast, we cover several interesting and valuable topics aimed to help physicians across Texas thrive. We begin with a story on the significant reduction of administrative strain using virtual scribes in medical practice. We delve into how these scribes streamline notetaking and paperwork processes within Electronic Health Records (EHR), leading to improved time management and overall physicians' satisfaction. Next, get the details on a notable decrease in the Medicare Physician Pay cut, achieved through high-pressure advocacy by TMA and others in organized medicine, brought some relief to physicians and their practice wellbeing. However, we emphasize the concerted efforts towards additional reform, as lack of suitable Medicare physician payments threatens physicians' practice viability and patient care access. Lastly, we highlight the recent flexibilities announced by CMS due to a cyber-attack on Change Healthcare, which disrupted many practices' operations. We present various ways this is being addressed, from request acceleration of Medicare payments to alternative methods for submitting claims. This section serves to provide crucial advice during such disruptions and aid in navigating through them.   The episode wraps up with a reminder of the wealth of free resources provided for TMA members. Stay tuned to Practice Well for more valuable insights. Until next time, stay well. Resource Links Virtual Scribes Enhanced Relationships Between Patients and Physicians   Congress Mitigates 2024 Medicare Physician Pay Cut Change Healthcare Cyberattack Resources 

TMA’s new podcast called TMA Health Beat will focus on public health issues and outreach programs organized by TMA. In the first episode, Marinel Munda, MD, a pediatrician from Tyler, Texas, talks about Walk with a Doc – a free program organized by physicians to encourage their patients to exercise. Dr. Munda explains why walking is important for a healthy lifestyle and how the program helps her give back to her community.

The Texas Medical Board clarifies new fingerprinting requirement ahead of February license renewals. Get instructions and details at the TMB website. Read the TMT article at www.texmed.org/TMT.