MARCH 2013
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 3
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT TDA.ORG
Dentists Descend on Capitol
Inside Perks Partner News
TDA Legislative Day 2013 Biggest in History
What Dentists Need to Know About the Affordable Care Act Part 2
Texas dentists participated in a very successful TDA Legislative Day in Austin on February 20, 2013. Approximately 300 attendees, including dentists, their spouses, and other dental professionals and staff met at the Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel for a short program. Photo by Paul H. Schlesinger
Participants then visited with legislators and staff at the Texas Capitol regarding the TDA legislative agenda. Dentists asked for support for regulations to enhance patient protection and safety at non-dentist-owned dental practices, a Medicaid deferred compensation program, initiatives to improve access to dental care, making tooth whitening the practice of dentistry, prohibiting a current or past Texas State Board of Dental Examiners’ member from giving expert testimony, and creating a temporary charitable dental license for out-of-state dentists
TEXAS Meeting
TDA Smiles Foundation
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus addresses attendees at TDA Legislative Day on February 20, 2013, at the Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel in Austin. Approximately 300 dentists, their spouses, and other dental professionals and staff participated in a short program at the hotel before visiting with legislators at the Texas Capitol.
TDA Member Spotlight Monica Anderson, DDS, of Austin
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus addressed the attendees at the hotel. He explained that the 83rd Legislature’s top priorities were water and education, and he applauded the TDA’s continued efforts to improve accountability in patient safety.
Evidence-based Tip of the Month
TDA President Dr Michael Stuart is pictured with Representative J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville) at TDA Legislative Day on February 20, 2013, in Austin. Rep. Lozano received the TDA Excellence in Patient Advocacy award, the highest public honor from the Members of the Capital Area Dental Society prepare to head to the Texas Capitol Association, for his work as the to visit with legislators during TDA Legislative Day on February 20, 2013, in author of the TDA’s non-covered services legislation (SB 554) in 2011. Austin. TDA members discussed with legislators the TDA legislative agenda.
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson Addresses DENPAC VIPs
In addition to Chief Justice Jefferson, the Supreme Court of Texas includes 8 justices and is the court of last resort for civil matters. The current justices have been in office since 2005, and Chief Justice Jefferson has held his position since 2001.
TDA 2012 Financial Report and 2014 Proposed Budget Soft palate length and upper airway relationship in OSA and non-OSA subjects
Around the State April 5 & 6 TDA Board of Directors meeting Austin Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson addresses DENPAC members at the Supreme Court Building next to the Capitol at TDA Legislative Day on February 20, 2013, in Austin.
New State Rules Governing Privacy and Security of Electronic Patient Health Information
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March Journal News
Dental Artifacts
DENPAC VIPs attended a special meeting with Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson at the Supreme Court Building during TDA Legislative Day on February 20, 2013, in Austin. This exclusive event was a very special thank you to all DENPAC Platinum Club members and members who recruited at least one new member to DENPAC through The Power of One campaign. The event allowed a private visit with Chief Justice Jefferson in the court chambers. Chief Justice Jefferson gave the DENPAC members a brief overview of the appellate and judicial system and explained in depth how the branches of government must work together during the 83rd legislative session.
TSBDE Rule Update
Photo by Paul H. Schlesinger
Prior to the participants’ visits to the Capitol, members of the Alliance of the TDA delivered to the legislators “goodie” bags with oral health information, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss.
EDitorial: Thoughts from Your ED
Photo by Paul H. Schlesinger
TDA Council on Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Chair Dr Richard Black of El Paso presented Representative J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville) with the TDA’s Excellence in Patient Advocacy award, the highest public honor from the Association, for Rep. Lozano’s work as the author of the TDA’s non-covered services legislation (SB 554) in 2011. Rep. Lozano said he was honored and looked forward to a great partnership with the TDA.
Meet Your Staff Rachael Daigle, Membership Coordinator
n January 2013, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopted new 1 Texas Administrative Code §§390.1 and 390.2 regarding definitions and standards for the electronic exchange of health information. House Bill 300 (HB 300), 82nd Regular Session Texas Legislature, amended Chapter 182, Subchapter of the Health and Safety Code directing HHSC to review and ratify privacy and security standards relating to the electronic exchange of health information developed by the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA).
A covered entity that electronically exchanges, uses, or discloses PHI, must, at a minimum, comply with the following standards for confidential information in any form, to the extend applicable: (1) HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification regulations; (2) the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act, Chapter 181 of the Texas Health and Safety Code; (3) the Texas Identity Theft Act, Chapter 521 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code; and (4) other applicable state and federal laws or regulations requiring that confidential information be “safeguarded,” “used,” or “disclosed” only for “authorized purposes” by authorized users” including data held by dentists per Texas Occupations Code §§258.051 et seq., Dental-Patient Confidentiality.
THSA’s privacy and security standards are applicable to “covered entities” that electronically exchange, use, or disclose protected health information (PHI)” unless the data is de-identified. A dental practice is a “covered entity” if it transmits any health information electronically in connection with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) “covered transactions” (such as submitting health care claims to a health plan) or if such information is submitted electronically on the dentist’s behalf. Most dental offices are probably covered entities. To the extent that legislative intent can be interpreted, HHSC believes that the rule is meant to apply to all covered entities and not strictly health information exchanges (HIEs) in the state.
The full text of the new rules may be accessed at: http://tinyurl.com/ electronicpatienthealth. To help covered entities with overall HB 300 compliance, the State Office of the Attorney General (OAG) released a form for Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information. Covered entities may use the OAG form or any other form that complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Texas Medical Privacy Act, and other applicable laws. The form may be accessed at: http://tinyurl.com/OAGform.
May 2-5 The TEXAS Meeting TDA 143rd Annual Session San Antonio
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