The following deadlines and extensions are in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through Oct. 23
Several Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program(CHIP) flexibilities, including paying for Texas Health Steps (THSteps) medical checkups via telemedicine and CHIP copay waivers expired.
Through Oct. 31
Cigna is extending certain cost-share waivers for COVID-19 screening, testing, and treatment, including telehealth screening.
Through Dec. 31
Texas-regulated insurers must continue to pay for telemedicine services, including mental health visits, at the same rate as in-person visits. The extension was part of an emergency rule that was set to expire Sept. 12.
Aetna is extending coverage for commercial telemedicine service, including audio-only visits. Cost share waivers expired Aug. 4.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is extending certain cost-sharing and telemedicine waivers for state-regulated, fully insured HMO and PPO members and Medicare members.
To help you understand all of the changes to telemedicine during the pandemic, the Texas Medical Association has published up-to-date information for each type of payer.
Stay up to date with the latest news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Sunday, October 18, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Friday, October 16, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
This piece was originally published in the September/October issue of the Tarrant County Physician. You can read find the full magazine here.
I was 13 years old the last time that I experienced a summer break, because it was that summer that I decided that I wanted to be a physician. I spent every summer after that through high school at the Volunteer Department of the nearest Level I Trauma Center in East Texas. If I wasn’t volunteering I was shadowing, and if I wasn’t shadowing I was scribing or taking classes that would prepare me for medical school. It became a constant cycle, month in and month out for 11 years. Every one of my spring breaks, winter breaks, and summer breaks was jam-packed with exciting new medical adventures, classes, or some other activity that was someday going to get me into medical school and ultimately help me become a physician. As crazy as it sounds, my story is not unique. This is the path for many students, former, current, and future, who pursue a career as physicians. This is a way of life that we gladly accept, because for many of us the idea of doing anything else is much more depressing than spending every break of our youth working towards our future career.
I was all geared up to spend the summer after my first year of medical school the same way. I had two in-hospital research projects lined up, was interviewing for a pediatric research program to review case studies and publish reports on the cases, and I was already looking for a summer job to bring in a little extra income during what I considered my “slow” month between the two academic years. Then, in an instant, a global pandemic hit, all my plans fell apart, and I was left with a very empty calendar during a period that was supposed to be a time for me to check all of the boxes that residency programs would want to see completed by the time I apply just three short years from now. When the initial shock wore off that a virus was capable of shutting down medical programs created and run by very people who live to combat these same types of diseases every day, it was like I had stepped into the sunshine for the first time in 11 years. As I began to read about the attempts of countries all over the world to contain and combat the virus, I was struck by an unexpected common theme in the rest of the world that I felt within myself: rejuvenation.
There were stories about nature being able to cleanse itself once people were no longer allowed to pour waste into it every day. Families were spending more time with one another at home, and smiles were being shared through technology all across the world because people were no longer able to go, go, go. Self-care began to emerge at the forefront of peoples’ minds, and I began to understand what it meant to take a step back and soak in the moments. I started cooking dinner every night, I read books on history and got outside every day. At a time when uncertainty was the norm and we were all scared, I spoke with colleagues and friends who were learning and growing personally outside the realm of medicine into better spouses, friends, and students. With this fresh new start that we received, we have been able to go back to school refreshed and ready to learn about medicine and people instead of being burned out and emotionally exhausted. During the time that our medical lives stood still, our mental and emotional health was able to re-blossom into excitement about life, medicine, and being the physicians that we are destined to become.
With fall festivities in full swing and Halloween fast approaching, physicians in North Texas have broken down traditional activities into low, moderate, and high-risk categories according to CDC guidelines.
“Some traditional Halloween festivities need to be modified this year to avoid high-risk activities involving close contact, but there are still plenty of fun holiday activities to enjoy with your kids,” said Dr. Beth Kassanoff, Vice Chair of the North Texas Medical Society Coalition and President-Elect of the Dallas County Medical Society. “Continue to stay physically distanced, wear a cloth or disposable surgical mask, and wash your hands, but have fun with the holiday.”
As with all activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, participants should wear a cloth face covering, maintain physical distance, and wash their hands frequently while participating in any of these activities. Additionally, wearing a cloth face covering along with a traditional costume mask over or under it should be avoided.
Low-Risk Activities:
Carving and decorating pumpkins with members of your immediate household or with friends at tables 6-10 feet apart, separated by household.
Halloween scavenger hunts with members of your immediate household.
Decorating your home.
A virtual Halloween costume contest with your school, friends, and/or family.
A physically distanced Halloween movie with an outside screen and projector, or a family movie night inside with the members of your immediate household.
A pinata at home with members of your immediate household.
Moderate-Risk Activities:
A small group (less than 10 people) outdoor costume parade while maintaining physical distance and wearing a cloth face covering.
Individual goody bags set up on an outside table for grab-and-go trick or treating. Consider leaving hand sanitizer for added safety.
Visiting pumpkin patches while maintaining physical distance and wearing a cloth face covering.
High-Risk Activities:
Traditional trick or treating door-to-door.
‘Trunk or Treat’ events and Fall Festivals and carnivals.
Haunted Houses.
Hayrides.
Outdoor gatherings that do not allow for physical distancing or any indoor parties or events with individuals outside your immediate household.
Some steps you can take to mitigate concerns might include:
Get your flu shot at least two weeks before Halloween.
Use hand sanitizer regularly and avoid touching your face.
Wear a cloth face covering if you are participating in any Halloween activities with people other than those living in your home.
Wash your hands well before eating.
Do not participate in activities with other people if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.
About North Texas Medical Society Coalition:
The NTMSC represents more than 11,500 physicians in the communities of Collin-Fannin, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, and Tarrant County. Founded in 2020, the NTMSC works with community healthcare partners, including public health departments, hospitals, and business leaders, to advise on medical recommendations to serve the health care needs of the residents of North Texas.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Wednesday, October 14, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
On Thursday, October 15, at 6pm, Tarrant County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association are presenting “Strengthening Medicine in the 87th Texas Legislature,” a virtual CME that will cover advocacy efforts that protect the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship.
The CME will be presented by TMA President Diana Fite, MD, and moderated by former TCMS President Robert Rogers, MD.
Early voting starts in Texas this week. Physicians urge all Texans to play it safe as they fulfill their civic duty, reminding everyone that it is possible to vote safely during a pandemic.
“Voting can be made safe by following the public health guidelines,” said Diana L. Fite, MD, president of the Texas Medical Association (TMA). “A little planning goes a long way.”
With the coronavirus still actively spreading in Texas, some elderly patients and Texans with disabilities wonder if it’s safe for them to vote in this year’s election, since they are most at risk for serious illness if they catch COVID-19.
Texans might have two options to vote: an individual might qualify to vote by mail, or he or she may vote in person.
“For those over 65 years old or who have chronic illnesses, it would be preferable to stay at home and send off an application for a mail-in ballot,” said Dr. Fite. “It’s certainly safer for these people to vote at home and mail their ballot than to venture out among crowds.” Any registered voter 65 years or older on Election Day or with a disability may vote early by mail in a Texas election.
The Texas Secretary of State has information and instructions about how to apply to vote by mail. Tip: The voter’s local voting clerk must receive an application for a mail-in ballot by Friday, Oct. 23.
For Texans opting to vote in person, there are options as well.
The early voting period runs Tuesday, Oct. 13 through Friday, Oct. 30. During this period, registered Texans can vote in person at any polling location in their home county. Voters might consider looking online for less-busy polling places and times, to avoid crowds.
Dr. Fite recommends early voting if possible to avoid any unforeseen problems. “If a person is sick on Election Day, that person should not go out to vote,” said Dr. Fite. “Instead, early voting is a consideration to avoid that possibility from occurring.”
On Election Day, Nov. 3, voters registered in a county that participates in the Countywide Polling Place Program may vote at any polling location in the county. If someone’s county does not participate in that program, he or she must vote in their own precinct on Election Day.
Whether voting early or on Election Day, physicians urge everyone to plan ahead and practice the same public health best practices as if they were going to the grocery store or anywhere else in public.
“Wash hands or use sanitizer before and after voting, try to stay 6 feet from others, and wear a mask,” said Dr. Fite. Simply maintaining space while waiting in line to vote can help prevent the spread of germs.
Physicians remind everyone of these tips for voting in person:
Stay at least six feet away from others;
Bring your own pen, pencil, or stylus;
Wash or disinfect your hands before and after voting;
Wear a face mask (you might have to remove it briefly for the election judge to confirm your identity); and
Stay home if you’re sick.
TMAis the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 53,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Tuesday, October 13, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Monday, October 12, 2020.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.
Tarrant County Physician Online 