October 8, 2007
 

 
TOA President's Update
  

By John T. Gill, MD
President, Texas Orthopaedic Association

Last month, shortly after the four year anniversary of the passage of Proposition 12, I had the opportunity to make a presentation on the successes of HB 4 (Texas' landmark medical liability reform bill). This presentation was made in Washington DC at the Center for Health  Transformation with former Speaker Newt Gingrich. It was videotaped

and is currently running on their website (click here to view their multimedia library).  The presentation runs 22 minutes, and I hope you will take the chance to view it.

Excerpt from Center For Health Transformation Multimedia Library:
Health Justice: Texas Tort Reform - A Success Story This presentation features Dr. John Gill, an orthopedic surgeon from Dallas, Texas. Dr. Gill was directly involved in the efforts to change state law and the Texas State Constitution. As a result of the successful tort reform battle in Texas in 2002, over 6,000 new physicians have returned to Texas which has improved access to both primary care physicians as well as specialists. Dr. Gill describes the Texas experience as "a 15-year overnight success story."  >> Watch Video
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TOA Executive Director's Update
     

By Donna Parker
Executive Director, Texas Orthopaedic Association

It is with pleasure that we report a significant increase in online dues payment for 2008.  TOA members are responding to this convenient payment method and are saving time on both ends of the process.  One clinic administrator recently paid dues for all seven of her orthopedists.  From her telephone call to TOA staff to confirm the

online dues payment process to the easy data entry of all seven TOA members - the time she spent took under 12 minutes.  TOA is automatically sent reports of each online dues payment immediately after entry.

We want to remind members and clinic managers to consider using the TOA website's online dues payment method.

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The 2008 TOA Annual Meeting: Submitting An Abstract

By Omer Ilahi, MD,
2008 TOA Program Chair

You are cordially invited to attend the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Texas Orthopaedic Association, which will be held at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio on May 22-24, 2008.  The Board of Directors look forward to your attendance and participation in this important

educational meeting, and welcome the opportunity to share new knowledge in the field of orthopaedic surgery with you and fellow orthopaedists from across the state of Texas.

The 2007 TOA Program Committee invites you to submit an abstract if you would like to participate in the scientific session.  For your presentation to be considered, please complete the online abstract form and speaker disclosure form.  Fax the speaker disclosure form to the TOA office at 866-864-1568.  The deadline is Friday, December 14, 2007.  You must submit both forms for your presentation to be considered.

These forms can be found on the homepage of the TOA website under 2008 TOA Annual Meeting.  Note that the proposed length of the paper presentations is five minutes with an additional two minutes for question and answer.

TOA is accredited by the Texas Medical Association’s Continuing Medical Education Committee to provide orthopaedic surgeons throughout Texas the most up-to-date knowledge, trends and techniques in orthopaedic surgery.  We will present the 6th annual Resident Quiz Bowl, scientific workshops, practice management information, sports medicine papers and general orthopaedic presentations.  Resident awards for best papers range from $1500 to $500 and will be awarded at the TOA Annual Business Luncheon.

Please visit the TOA website to register for this meeting.  More program information and a registration mailing will be sent to TOA members in December.  We hope that you will consider being a part of another outstanding TOA annual program.

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WC Net News – October 2007
    

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), Health and Workers’ Compensation Certification and QA Division has published the sixth issue of WCNet News. Click here to view the current issue.

The purpose of this publication is for the TDI to provide helpful information that will facilitate the understanding of certified workers’ compensation networks for all system participants. Through WCNet 

News, we will provide noteworthy information about certified workers’ compensation networks, give tips for applicants, and improve communication between applicants, providers, interested parties and TDI. We anticipate the information contained in this newsletter will be helpful to all parties and will clarify questions related to certified workers’ compensation networks.

 

The current issue contains articles regarding the following topics:

  • Additional Legislation Affecting Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Networks

  • WCNet News Publication Schedule

  • Employer and Provider Workshop Recaps

  • Network-Carrier Contracts

  • Claim Adjusters and Case Management

  • Update on the IRO Process

  • Choice of Treating Doctors in Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Networks

  • Meet Your Workers’ Compensation Healthcare Network Application Team Lead

  • Calendar of Events

We encourage you to forward this email to a friend or colleague who participates in the Texas workers’ compensation system.
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ACP, APS Issue Low Back Pain Treatment Guidelines
  

The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Pain Society (APS) have released joint guidelines on diagnosing and treating low back pain. Among other things, the guidelines cover such topics as: conducting a focused history and physical examination to help categorize patients with low back pain; determining when to perform diagnostic imaging and tests; providing patients with evidence-based information; and use of nonpharmacologic therapy. The

recommendations are the result of a multidisciplinary panel convened in 2006, and don’t address invasive therapies. The APS plans to publish a separate guideline covering invasive procedures during 2008. AAOS is currently reviewing these guidelines. For more information click here.

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Workers' Comp Now Requires Electronic Billing, Waiver Deadline Looms
 

By Michael Reed, Director of Managed Care Delivery Systems
Texas Medical Association

On Jan. 1, 2008 Electronic billing is mandatory for physicians who treat workers' compensation patients. Oct. 31 is the deadline to file for a

waiver to avoid the workers' compensation system's new e-Billing requirements. Physicians and insurance carriers (network and non-network) in workers' compensation must be able to transmit billing and reimbursement information electronically by Jan. 1, 2008.

Waivers are available to physician practices with fewer than 10 employees that have less than 10 percent of its practice volume in workers' compensation claims. Financial burden waivers also are available. Oct. 31 is the deadline to file for a waiver. Physicians who do not meet the requirements could face administrative penalties.

For waiver questions, call Bill Wells at (512) 804-5002 or send an e-mail to this address txcomp.help@tdi.state.tx.us for e-billing questions.

TDI will post updates and information about the transition to electronic medical billing on its web site at www.tdi.state.tx.us. The TDI Clean Claim and Electronic Medical Billing and Workers' Compensation Companion Guides also are posted there.
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This Week In Texas: Mignon McGarry Memos
 

By Mignon McGarry
TOA Legislative Advocate
TOA Online Version: All Memos

 

October 2nd, Tuesday
Believe it or not, Election Day is around the corner.  On November 6th, Texans will vote on 16 constitutional amendments.  Many school

districts have also placed bond propositions and tax initiatives on the ballot.  If someone you know is not registered to vote, the deadline to vote in the upcoming election is October 6th.  The Secretary of State’s website – www.sos.state.tx.us – has all the details on registering to vote as does your local county clerk and tax assessor-collector.

Paula Stansell, a City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commissioner, has announced her intention to run for House District 26, a seat currently held by Rep. Charlie Howard (R-Sugar Land).

The interest in representing House District 112 is beginning to swell.  Since the announcement by Rep. Fred Hill (R-Richardson) that he will not run for reelection, several candidates have emerged.  Angie Button, a long time employee of Texas Instruments, has announced that she will make a run for the seat. Former Garland City Councilman Randall Dunning has filed a campaign treasurer’s report, indicating his interest in the seat.

Amadeo Saenz, a transportation engineer with 29 years state experience, is the new executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation.  Saenz becomes the 19th person and first Hispanic to head the transportation agency since it was created in 1917.

Coby Shorter III is the new Deputy Secretary of State for Texas.  Most recently, Shorter has worked in the governor’s appointments office.
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