June 2019
In this issue . . .
TCMS Business of Medicine Dinner, Ethics CME
TCMS Private Auto Show
Legislature Funds Reconstruction of Austin State Hospital
Member Applicants
Retired Physicians' Organization
Medicine's Warnings Prompt CMS to Delay Dramatic Coding and Payment Changes
Youth Tackle Football: TCMS Physicians Weigh-In
Get Waivered: TX Free Bubrenorphine Training
Spanish Meducation® Classes for Summer
TCMS Business of Medicine Dinner, Ethics CME
June 11
Join your colleagues for the Texas Medical Board Update 2019. Topics will include licensure, violations, recent changes and recent legislature affecting the medical community.
Speaker: Amy Swanholm, JD, MSEL, Texas Medical Board
Date: Tuesday, June 11
Time: 6:30 pm dinner, 7:00 pm presentation
Where: TMA Building, Thompson Auditorium, 1st floor
RSVP to tcms@tcms.com or 512-206-1249.
TCMS Private Auto Show at BMW of Austin
June 18
Join us for appetizers, beverages, door prizes and gorgeous automobiles at BMW of Austin. Just for TCMS members, this event will be your opportunity to get behind the wheel of the latest models.
For every test drive taken, BMW will donate to the Darrell K. Royal Alzheimer’s Fund. Special pricing and discounts will also be offered, if you are in the market!
Date: Tuesday, June 18
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: BMW of Austin, 7011 McNeil Drive, Austin 78729
RSVP to tcms@tcms.com
Legislature Funds Reconstruction of Austin State Hospital
The May/June issue of the TCMS Journal focused on mental health care and the hopes that funding would come through for improvements to the 160 year old facility in Austin. Legislation passed to fund the reconstruction project. To learn more about the history of the State Hospital, read “Annals of an Asylum” in the Journal.
Retired Physicians’ Organization
Reminder: The Retired Physicians Organization is on summer hiatus. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 17, 2019.
Medicine’s Warnings Prompt CMS to Delay Dramatic Coding and Payment Changes
Following protests from the TMA, AMA and others, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will delay overhaul of evaluation and management (E&M) coding until 2021.
CMS also ditched a proposal that would've reduced payments tied to E&M office visits and procedures billed on the same day. Read more
Youth Tackle Football: TCMS Physicians Weigh- In
Newt Hasson, MD, recently surveyed a group of TCMS members asking for their thoughts on children playing tackle football. The opinions of those that responded are varied and in no way meant to be used as fodder for or against football. Read more.
Get Waivered: TX Free Bubrenorphine Training
Date: August 13, 2019
Time: 12:30-5:45pm
Location: Dell Medical School
Description: Get Waivered TX is a Texas-wide state funded training initiative from UT Health San Antonio to increase the number of physicians delivering evidence-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder.
This training will allow medical providers (MD, DO, PA, NP) to complete the DEA X-waiver process. Attendees will also receive 4.25 CMEs.
This training is completely free.
Spanish Meducation® Classes for Summer
Spanish Meducation® is the practical medical Spanish program offered through the Travis County Medical Society. The eight-week program (meeting once a week) is designed for all health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, therapists, social workers, technicians, emergency personnel, and their support staff.
The classes develop beginning, intermediate and advanced conversational skills in general Spanish with a concentration on health care situations while grammar takes a back seat. All handouts are included in the tuition cost; no textbook is required.
Classes begin June 24. Read more.