2/13/2024
DEA Scam Call Alert
Since 2021, the DEA has warned the public of telephone scammers and that the DEA will never demand money or sensitive information over the phone. Legitimate legal action or investigation notice will be sent in a letter to the individual. Be aware, that these scammers are using the name of a real DEA agent and can make the phone number on the caller id match the DEA agent’s phone number.
CME
Physicians renewing their Tennessee medical license must complete 40 hours of CME in the 24 months before the month of license renewal. At least two of the total hours must cover instruction in controlled substance prescribing and the treatment guidelines developed by the Department of Health on opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol, and may include such other topics as medicine addiction, risk management tools, and other topics. TMA offers a proprietary, two-hour accredited proper prescribing course that meets all BME requirements for physicians and it is available at tnmed.org/prescribing. Contact the TMA legal department at legal@tnmed.org with any questions regarding CME compliance.
Insurance Advocacy
TMA works on behalf of members to address insurance issues and assist physicians in navigating the complex world of claims payment. TMA can help if you are experiencing a problem with coding, claim payment, denial, recoupment, or other hassle with an insurer. Contact Tabitha.lara@tnmed.org. We also have insurance resources on our website at tnmed.org/insurance.
New Employee Reporting LG topic
All employers doing business in Tennessee are required by state and federal law to report all newly hired and re-hired employees to the Tennessee Department of Human Services. This requirement is applicable regardless of the number of employees in a company. Read the Law Guide topic titled New Employee Reporting to learn when to report, how to report, and the penalties for noncompliance.
Disruptive Patient Policy
Normally when terminating a patient from a practice, TMA advises that the patient receive notice 30 days prior to the termination. There is an exception and this is for a patient that is violent or threatens violence. In order to be prepared for this situation, review the Law Guide topics Physician-Patient Relationship and Disruptive Patient Policy.
For more information, email legal@tnmed.org.