The Texas Orthopaedic Association is pleased to announce that the 2008 Annual Meeting and Scientific Session will be held on May 22-24, 2008 at The Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio. Please record these dates on your calendar and tell your family about the meeting.

Texas physicians commend the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Division of Workers’ Compensation for taking important steps to help Texas’ injured workers get the health care they need.

TDI announced it may increase the fees for physicians who provide

health care services to injured workers. Austin orthopedic surgeon Steve Norwood, MD, said, “Physicians are excited at the prospect because the rate increase is two years overdue and will help many injured Texas workers.”

In 2003, the state dramatically cut physician payments for medical services the physicians provide to injured workers. The cuts forced more than half of physicians who accepted workers’ compensation cases out of the system. A Texas Medical Association (TMA) survey indicated that in 2006, only 26 percent of Texas’ orthopedic surgeons accepted workers’ compensation patients — compared with 76 percent in 2002. David Teuscher, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Beaumont, said, “It has become impossible for physicians to take care of injured workers. Texas’ workers’ compensation system is in crisis due to the low reimbursement rates and high administrative and billing hassles.”

“Although the fee increases proposed do not fix all of the problems with workers’ compensation, it is a good start,” said William Hinchey, MD, TMA president. The proposed fees are short of the average rates determined by a Workers Compensation Research Institute study of 42 state workers’ compensation fee guidelines. Dr. Hinchey added, “Appropriate fees and fewer carrier hassles are what our members requested so that they can take good care of injured workers. We’re cautiously optimistic that TDI is taking a useful first step in that direction.”

Some health insurance companies are asking TDI not to pursue the pay increases or to actually decrease the proposed rates. Fixing the fee schedule will ensure more injured workers get the surgery and medical treatments they need based on the state’s approved treatment guidelines. “Insurers will have to spend employers’ high insurance premium dollars on health care instead of putting it toward their bottom line,” said Dr. Teuscher.

“A new fee schedule is necessary to offset the administrative burdens and additional case management requirements enacted by the legislature,” Dr. Teuscher added. “I think TDI realizes that workers’ compensation has enough hurdles for both injured workers and their doctors to require an appropriately updated fee schedule to deal with the complexities of the new system.”

TMA has strongly advocated that injured workers should be able to obtain clinically appropriate, cost-effective health care in a timely manner and within a reasonable geographic proximity. Any system providing health care to injured workers should be fair, hassle-free, and accessible to patients and physicians alike.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 42,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

For more information contact: Michael Reed, TMA Director of Managed Care Delivery Systems.  Click here to email him.
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By Mignon McGarry
TOA Legislative Advocate / Memos: Thu May 10 & Tue May 8, 2007
TOA Online Version: All Memos

August 20, 2007, Monday
Fundraisers and campaign announcements continue to dominate the landscape at summer’s end. After Labor Day weekend, expect Austin to begin humming once again with activity.