TCEP EMphasis Newsletter

DECEMBER 2022

Sterling Overstreet, MD, FACEP
TCEP President

President's Message

We are now four weeks away from the 88th Legislative session commencing in Austin. There has been significant work underway by TCEP in preparation for the January 10th session start to ensure our patients and our practice will be well represented. TCEP held the inaugural meeting of our Legislative Advocacy Council in Austin on November 3rd. This meeting was well attended and provided ...

Government Relations/Advocacy Training Session

On November 3rd, over 40 TCEP members met in Austin for a half-day Government Relations training session.

The program included an overview of the legislative process, tips on meeting with legislators, TCEP legislative history, and discussion on legislative priorities for the 2023 session.

TCEP 2023 Legislative Priorities

The TCEP board has approved the following issues as top priorities for our lobby team and Legislative Advocacy Council:

Protection of Tort Reform
Psych Access
Scope of Practice
Telemedicine/ Rural Health
Prudent Layperson
Surprise billing
Boarding

Legislative Update

Theresa Q. Tran, MD, MBA, FACEP
Government Relations Council

TCEP Prepares for Legislative Session

“If you don't have a seat at the table, it means you are on the menu.”

Now that the 2022 midterm elections are behind us and policymakers prepare to return to Austin for the 2023 legislative session, now is a good time to reflect and remind TCEP members of the important work the Emergency Medicine PAC of Texas (EMPACT) does ...

JOIN OUR EMERGENCY MEDICINE TEAM

Envision Physician Services is seeking Emergency Medicine Physicians to join our team in Texas. We are a dynamic, physician-led organization offering diverse practice settings in attractive locations.

You'll find the perfect opportunity – at any stage of your career

Street Medicine Program at John Peter Smith

Katy Wyszynski, MS, OMS-III
UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2024

As a medical student at my first shift on a new clinical rotation, I am constantly nervous that I'm at the wrong spot at the wrong time. I cautiously walk into the Street Medicine office and am greeted by three friendly faces. A large TV screen mounted to the wall is projecting the hospital system's electronic medical record, and I watch as the team creates a list of patients to see.

It looks analogous to a schedule of patients at a family medicine office. However, instead of street addresses in the charts, there are phrases like “usually stays under the bridge” or “last seen at the encampment behind the Texaco gas station.” After creating the patient list and map for the afternoon, we hop in the van and start our journey to find our first patient.

Photo courtesy of JPS Health Network

Gottlieb is an industry leader in end-to-end Revenue Cycle Management and Practice Optimization solutions for hospital and independent physician groups, specializing in Emergency Medicine and Hospitalist practices. Gottlieb helps their clients navigate the complex healthcare landscape by designing innovative and technology-enabled services that simplify and improve the financial experience.

Got Loans?

New U.S. Dept. of Education Rule for TX Physicians pertaining to student forgiveness loans

TCEP is keeping our eyes on the proposed changes for the federal Public Student Loan Forgiveness program to be implemented on July 1, 2023. We'd like to highlight one significant addition for Texas physicians. This PSLF change is to allow:

“Borrowers in the narrow and specific situation of a borrower who works as a contractor for a qualifying employer in a position or providing services which, under applicable state law, cannot be filled or provided by an employee of the qualifying employer to qualify for PSLF.”

Residency Visit, Temple

On November 17, 2022, Dr. Doug Jeffrey, Dr. Bryan Dunn, Dr. Robert Greenberg, and Dr. Toni Helbling spoke to the residents at Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple during a TCEP residency visit.

The program included an overview of TCEP and ACEP, as well as a legislative update by Dr. Theresa Tran.

Residents then separated into small group sessions with each leader talking to the residents about topics including finances, contracts, transitioning into your first job.

More residency visits are being planned for 2023.

Texans selected for the ACEP Young Physician Leadership Society Class of 2022!

The ACEP Young Physicians Section recently recognized the second annual class of the Young Physicians Leadership Society! This award program aims to create a supportive network of young physicians who are working to improve patient care, public health and the future of the EM profession.

Congratulations to our TCEP Members:
Theresa Tran, MD, FACEP
Dustin Blake Williams, MD, FACEP

Emergency medicine claims typically involve diagnostic errors. In this case study, a patient was improperly triaged. When a claim was filed, TMLT quickly went to work and won a clear, decisive victory at trial.

Early Bird Registration - NOW OPEN!

Join us in Austin on April 16-18, 2023!

Sunday, April 16: Medical Students and Resident Ol-EM-pics
Monday, April 17: Physician tracks/CME, Awards Luncheon, Advocacy training
Tuesday, April 18: Legislative Day Capitol visits until noon

Click here for more information and to register

TCEP Virtual Research Forum 2023

Abstract Instructions & Deadlines

Important Deadlines:
• February 5, 2023: Abstract submission deadline
• February 21, 2023: Abstract acceptance/rejection notification sent out by this date
• March 12, 2023: 10-minute video presentation submission deadline

Awards will be given for the Best Resident Abstract and Best Student Abstract!

The winning authors will receive free registration for TCEP CONNECT 2023 in Austin on April 16-18th, where they will be able to showcase their presentations and receive their awards on Monday, April 17th.

Click here for more information: www.texacep.org/tcep-research-forum-2023