September 2010
UNT Regents Approve Addition of MD Program
Despite opposition from some osteopathic physicians, the University of North Texas System Board of Regents has approved a proposal to develop a new MD degree program at the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth (UNTHSC). School officials say the MD program would be an independent fifth school in addition to the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, and School of Health Professions.
Approval comes upon completion of requirements the Board of Regents directed UNTHSC leadership to meet. The Fort Worth health care, business, and civic communities have raised $25 million as start-up funds. The addition of an allopathic medical school would require legislative approval.
"This innovative private-public proposal is particularly important as the state responds to financial challenges by allowing the local community to provide all start-up funds for a new medical school as a method to address the growing physician shortages across the state," said UNTHSC President Scott Ransom, DO.
As Texas Medicine reported in March, not all DOs support the school action. Many feel it would drain resources from the school.
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Journal Examines U.S., Canadian Medical Schools
The September issue of Academic Medicine is observing the 100th anniversary of the Flexner Report with a special supplement, "Snapshot of Medical Student Education in the United States and Canada."
Editor-in-Chief Steven L. Kanter, MD, says the supplement includes reports from almost every accredited medical education program leading to a medical degree in the United States and Canada.
"These reports are valuable to both established and new medical schools. Established schools must engage in a self-study process to prepare for accreditation every eight years," he wrote. "During the self-study, a school's faculty and students examine the structure and function of their school's medical student education program. These reports provide important benchmarks and reveal a range of ideas for faculty and students to consider as they evaluate their own program. The reports provide similar opportunities for new schools that seek to build new and innovative programs."
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Loan Repayment Funds Still Available
Please make sure your residents know that the state's Physician Education Loan Repayment Program will continue accepting applications from physicians who agree to practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area and treat patients in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Physicians are eligible for up to $160,000 over four years.
The application deadline was June 15. Although there was enough money for 200 physicians, only 120 were processed and approved, Department of State Health Services (DSHS) officials said. Thus, DSHS and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board decided to continue accepting applications until they reach 200.
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Confused? TMA Demystifies Health Reform
If you're confused about the new health law and its many new provisions, you're not alone. That's why the TMA will host its second Tele-Health Reform School this month. We want to help you survive and thrive in this new health care landscape. So, mark your calendar for Sept. 15, set your watch for 8 pm, and stand by your home telephone for Tele-Health Reform School 2. It's part of TMA's efforts to help physicians understand and cope with the complicated health system reform law.
"Just like our patients, our member physicians are uncertain about what's in the new law and what it means to their practices," said TMA President Susan Rudd Bailey, MD. "It's our responsibility to bring them the facts as we know them and the implications as we see them."
The Tele-Health Reform School will work like this: Around 8 pm on Sept. 15, you will receive a phone call with a pre-recorded message from Dr. Bailey inviting you to participate. All you have to do is stay on the line and listen. And, the best part, you earn 1 hour of continuing medical education credit for your time (providing you stay on the line for the entire program). No reservation is necessary.
Dr. Bailey and TMA staff experts will cover four topics. You can ask questions after each segment and use your phone to take part in surveys of your thoughts on key issues. We'll cover:
- Provisions of the new health law effective in 2010, many of which start Sept. 23;
- The current political climate on Capitol Hill;
- How the new quality rating and fraud and abuse provisions impact you and your practice; and
- What you need to know about accountable care organizations.
More than 4,200 TMA members participated in the first event. The response was great.
If you want to learn more about health system reform, visit TMA's Health System Reform Action Center on the TMA website. You will find a summary of the 3,000-page law, current fact sheets tailored to your practice, a comprehensive timeline, video clips outlining what you need to know, and more. Check it out.
We hope to talk to you Sept. 15. Remember, don't call us ― we'll call you.
TMA also is conducting a series of Health Reform Schools around the state in September and October.
There are two ways you can participate in the schools. Have your county medical society schedule one in your community or take the course online in the Health System Reform Action Center. The hour-long online session features presentations from ― and a question-and-answer session with ― Dr. Bailey, TMA Council on Legislation Chair Dan McCoy, MD, and TMA staff experts.
Scheduled TMA Health Reform School presentations include:
Sept. 8: Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Country Club
6300 Everhart Rd.
6 pm: Social & Dinner
6:30-7:30 pm: Health Reform School
Sept. 14: Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls Country Club
1701 Hamilton Blvd.
6 pm: Buffet dinner
7 pm: Health Reform School
Sept. 23: Houston (Harris County Medical Society Southwest Branch)
Olives Martini Bar & Grille
2268 Texas Dr.
Sugar Land
6-7 pm: Networking reception
7 pm: Dinner & Program
Sept. 23: Tyler
6700 Hollytree Dr.
6-6:30 pm: Dinner
7:30-8:30 pm: Health Reform School
Sept. 28: Houston (Harris County Medical Society North Branch)
Northgate Country Club
17110 Northgate Forest Dr.
6-7 pm: Networking reception
7 pm: Dinner and program
Sept. 28: McAllen
McAllen Country Club
615 Wichita
6:30 pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: Health Reform School
Oct. 9: Houston
Business Expo
Reliant Center
One Reliant Park
10:45 am
Oct. 13: San Antonio
Oak Hills Country Club
5403 Fredericksburg Rd.
6 pm: Reception
7 pm: Health Reform School
Oct. 26: Beaumont
Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital, Spindletop Room (located in the medical office bldg. west of the hospital)
740 Hospital Drive
6 pm Social/Dinner
6:30-7:30 pm Health Reform School
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Big Changes Start Sept. 23
Several provisions of the new health system reform law take effect Sept. 23. They include allowing parents to keep their children on their policies until they're 26, eliminating lifetime limits on coverage, and prohibiting insurers from rescinding a patient's benefits when they become ill unless fraud is involved.
For a complete list of the health system reform bill changes and the dates they take effect this year, check out PPACA Provisions Effective in 2010 (PDF) in TMA's Health System Reform Action Center.
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Electronic Death Register Avoids TMB Fine
Physicians who do not sign death certificates "in a timely fashion" face a $500 fine per violation from the Texas Medical Board (TMB), the board warns in its spring TMB Bulletin (PDF). The TMB says it currently has more than 150 complaints against doctors. If you are cited, consider contacting your own attorney for legal advice because a quick response is necessary.
The easiest way to avoid TMB discipline is to register with the state's Texas Electronic Registrar (TER) Death Registration system. Since 2007, state law has required all cause-of-death information and medical certifications to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) be submitted electronically. A DSHS handbook on the law says a "Certificate of Death (VS-112) must be filed within ten (10) days of the date of death for every death in Texas" and that the "certifier must complete the medical certification not later than five (5) days after receiving the death certificate or provide notification to the funeral director, or person acting as such, explaining the reason for the delay."
The law applies to physicians who certify death. The statute says a person required to file a death certificate or fetal death certificate "shall obtain the required medical certification from an attending physician if the death occurred under medical attendance for the care and treatment of the condition or disease process that contributed to the death."
Other provisions are:
- An associate physician, the chief medical officer of the institution where the death occurred, or the physician who performed an autopsy on the decedent may complete the medical certification if:
- The attending physician is unavailable;
- The attending physician approves; and
- The person completing the medical certification has access to the medical history of the case and the death is due to natural causes.
- If a death or fetal death occurs without medical attendance or is otherwise subject to Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, the person required to file the death or fetal death certificate shall notify the appropriate authority of the death.
The recommended computer system requirements to file electronic death certifications include:
- Computer with a 1.0 GHz processor or faster,
- 512 MB or more of RAM,
- Web browser with Flash Player,
- Internet access at 56K or better, and
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Physicians may register to use the system and obtain their PIN online. In addition, free training is available online.
For additional questions, e-mail help-TER@dshs.state.tx.us, or go to the TER website.
DSHS Commissioner David Lakey, MD, said in a letter to physicians that the system "allows physicians to quickly complete cause-of-death information and death certification via the Internet. As a former practicing physician, I appreciate this convenience."
Dr. Lakey says TER also "allows physicians to delegate completion of the death certificate to office staff, while still requiring the physician to enter a personal identification number to complete the actual electronic certification. This system is available at no charge to you."
In addition, he says, the speed of the electronic death registration will give medical researchers valuable mortality data faster than previously possible. "Based on cause-of-death data, public health resources can be best directed towards prevention and education. Ultimately, use of TER will benefit the health of all Texans."
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New Program Helps Impaired Physicians
Physicians and other health care professionals needing help to deal with substance use disorders and physical or psychiatric conditions that may impair their ability to practice can turn to the Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP).
Created by the legislature, TXPHP provides education and assistance in diagnosing and treating physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and surgical assistants through a recovery program adapted and monitored according to their specific needs.
An 11-member board appointed by Texas Medical Board (TMB) President Irvin Zeitler Jr., DO, oversees the program. Board members are:
- Brady Allen, MD, Dallas;
- Eugene Boisaubin, MD, Houston;
- Mary Boone, LCSW, LCDC, Austin;
- Ronald Brenz, DO, San Antonio;
- Judy Googins, MD, Tyler;
- John Jackson, MD, Ft. Worth;
- Alison Jones, MD, Austin;
- Helaine Lane, Houston;
- Anand Mehendale, MD, Kerrville;
- Melinda Moore, PA-C, Sugar Land; and
- Russell Thomas Jr., DO, Eagle Lake.
Lloyd Garland, MD, of Lubbock, is the medical director.
TXPHP says in a news release that it "realizes that [substance abuse] and psychiatric disorders are medical illnesses and, as such, are treatable conditions. Those who complete acute treatment, continue ongoing treatment, and participate in appropriate monitoring usually have excellent outcomes and maintain the ability to practice medicine safely and effectively. This program strives to provide responsible advocacy to participants by fostering a relationship of trust, promotes an attitude of accountability to the regulatory agency [TMB], and hopes to assure the public that participants are practicing responsibly."
The news release says the program will accept self-referrals or referrals from an individual, a physician health and rehabilitation committee, a physician assistant organization, a state physician health program, a state acupuncture program, any hospital or hospital system licensed in Texas, a residency program, TMB, the physician assistant board, or the acupuncture board. "In addition to confidential referrals, TMB may publicly refer an applicant to the program after a contested case hearing or through an agreed order," it adds.
The program costs $1,200 a year. This is in addition to payment of medical costs such as required evaluations, primary treatment, continuing care, and monitoring fees.
For more information, call the TXPHP at (512) 305-7462, or write to TXPHP, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 2, Ste. 520, Austin, TX 78701.
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Lace Up Your Sneakers for Medicine
Want to improve health care in America? Want to be a catalyst for change? Want to help elect politicians who will put patients and physicians first? Participate in an upcoming TEXPAC Alliance Volunteer Days (PDF).
Join us as we roll up our sleeves, lace up our sneakers, and work in the field to elect TEXPAC-endorsed candidates. TEXPAC Alliance Volunteer Days is coming to a city near you, and we'll be calling on members of the family of medicine. Medicine faces several tight elections this season; a successful 83rd legislative session will take shape in the field in each one of these races.
Volunteering is easy and fun (PDF). TEXPAC will provide all the information you need to get started with confidence. For details, including time and location, and to register for these events, please call TEXPAC's Paula Frey at (800) 880-1300, ext 1361, or (512) 370-1361, or TMA Alliance's Sandy Solis at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1328, or (512) 370-1328.
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Renew or Join TMA Today
As an academic physician, you serve as a very necessary and important piece of the medical profession, and your membership in TMA is imperative. TMA relies on the knowledge and experience of academic physicians to make sure Texas remains a premier state in the education of future physicians, research, and quality patient care. TMA has been a longtime advocate for academic faculty and medical schools, actively lobbying for your interests in Congress and the Texas Legislature.
Please join or renew your membership (use code ITSACA) on the TMA website. Your department and/or academic institution may have funds available to cover the cost of your membership. Please check with your department administrator or chair.
Just think what we can accomplish with your participation!
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New-to-Texas Physicians Can Start Here
Are you a physician who is new to Texas? Have you recruited a physician for your school, your practice, or your community from out of state?
TMA created a New to Texas Resource Page to help new or returning Texans get their practices up and running. The page provides links doctors need to be licensed in Texas, plus contact information for relevant state and federal agencies, and links to resources such as practice consulting for set-ups, health insurance plan contact information, and employee salary data.
Last is a link to the TMA Knowledge Center. TMA members can e-mail the Knowledge Center or call (800) 880-7955 for fast answers to questions about membership, TMA member benefits and services, practice management or legal information, and more.
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TMA Fall Conference Oct. 15-16
Moving Forward in a Post-Reform World is the theme of TMA's 2010 Fall Conference Oct. 15-16 at the Hyatt Regency in Austin.
Discussions during the conference will focus on how physicians, hospitals, medical societies, and other stakeholders are reacting to health system reform. Speakers will address physician consolidation and employment, new payment models, and other issues. Join your friends and colleagues for this all-important meeting.
A preview of the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature also is on the agenda.
TMA sections, councils, boards, and committees will meet during the conference.
Free registration is one of the many benefits of your TMA membership. Nonmembers may attend for $125. You can register online. Onsite registration hours are:
Friday, Oct. 15
8 am-7 pm
TMA Building
9 am-7:30 pm
Hyatt
Saturday, Oct. 16
6 am-Noon
Hyatt
The headquarters hotel for the conference is the Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs, (512) 477-1234, reservations: (800) 233-1234. TMA's room rate is $169 single/double. You can reserve your room online but you must do so by Sept. 14. Mention that you are with TMA to receive our special discount room rate. Sleeping rooms are subject to a 15-percent occupancy tax rate. Local sales tax is 8.25 percent.
TMA will provide shuttle service between the Hyatt and TMA on Friday, Oct. 15.
For more information, contact TMA Knowledge Center at (800) 880-7955 or knowledge@texmed.org.
This Month in Texas Medicine
The September Texas Medicine is a special issue on cancer that offers you two hours of continuing medical education for reading the articles and filling out a questionnaire. Written by leading cancer experts throughout Texas, the September issue provides the latest information on cancer. The articles cover subjects such as cancer screening, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, leukemia, and radiation therapy. Several physician-written commentaries, including one on the development of the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute of Texas, round out the issue.
It’s Academic is designed for physicians in academic settings. Please feel free to share this issue with your colleagues.
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Last Published: 9/8/2010
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