At the August 25th meeting of the Standing Delegation Committee, there was an open discussion that it was the possession of the committee is that requests for waiver of the mid-level supervision rules filed appear, in the opinion of the committee, were being requested too often for the physician’s convenience with no benefit to the [...]
Last week the Texas Comptroller stated the next 2 year budget cycle is facing a 21 billion dollar deficit. With this knowledge the Board has been asked to submit budgets that were capped at the 2011 levels and a 5% cut. It has done so with the request that it will be asking for its [...]
At the Board’s last meeting, August 28, 2010, the Board issued the most disciplinary actions in a single meeting in its history – 187 doctors disciplined. The actions included 33 violations based on quality of care; eight actions based on unprofessional conduct; 11 actions based on inadequate medical records violations; 14 voluntary surrenders; five revocations/suspensions; [...]
On August 25th, the Texas Medical Board advised that it still has not hired a Medical Director. The difficulty, in part in hiring the new Medical Director has been the salary. It is set and it is inflexible.
What is appropriate to do for patients who have been using marijuana for pain management or for other purposes? If you are aware of such use, either because they tell you or it comes back on a screen. Can you prescribe controlled substances for these patients? This was aksked at the last Board meeting. The answer is [...]
RULE §273.4 amendment to FEES
Reduces renewal fee by $8, the late renewal fee for renewals 1-90 days late, and for renewals 90 to 365 days late, and the late fee for failure to timely obtain continuing education, since these fees are based on the license renewal fee. The amendments also change the fee for the [...]
Rule 73.3 Continuing Education A new requirement that at least 8 hours of the already 16 hours be in coding and documentation for Medicare for the years 2011 or 2012. They must prove this was taken upon renewal starting in 2013. Exemptions are those who obtain licensure after September 1, 2012 – they have 12 [...]
A New SBDE Disciplinary Matrix was developed in accordance with Texas Occupations Code. It is organized by violation type in tiers, takes into account aggravating and mitigating circumstances. First tier offenses are considered not serious versus Fourth Tier which are serious and could harm the public. There is a listing of corresponding sanctions that are [...]
Amendments to §§681.14, 681.41, 681.42, 681.48, 681.49, 681.52, 681.72, 681.83, 681.92, 681.93, 681.111, 681.125, 681.142, and 681.164 and new §681.17
1) clarify the meaning of non-therapeutic relationships;
2) clarify how an LPC-Intern should advertise;
3) clarify that a course in each core area of study must be taken as a requirement for licensure;
4) allow for supervision via live [...]
Guidelines for Physical and Psychological Evaluations
1) informs licensees, applicants, petitioners, and the public about the Board’s requirements and procedures regarding physical and psychological evaluations under the Nursing Practice Act (the Occupations Code Chapter 301).
Amendments to §216.1 (relating to Definitions)
Amendments to §216.3 (relating to Requirements)
Continuing education needs to be in the Nurse’s practice area, as [...]