INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

HCMS provides physicians in independent practice the resources needed to successfully navigate the challenges of running a business while meeting the many requirements of government and commercial health plans.

  • Billing and Payors – Resources for accurate billing to reduce claims denials and receive appropriate payment
  • Tools and Resources – Helpful tools and resources related to the business of medicine
  • Payment and Practice Help – Helping physicians with payer issues and concerns
  • Starting a Practice – Checklists and toolkits to start your practice, including how to create a business plan, credentialing, compliance and much more


Resources from the American Medical Association (AMA)
• AMA private practice sustainability: Getting started -  For physicians considering private practice and for those who are already working independently, the AMA provides resources to contribute to the success of this model of care.
• Private Practice Simple Solutions learning series
• Private Practice Playbook
• Diving right in from residency to private practice

Other:
 • The Houston Independent Physicians (HIP) FaceBook Group - www.facebook.com/groups/506407270676727/ The group has been established to help physicians in independent practice grow their practices through referrals and exchange best practices.
• TMA Practice Pointers - A practice management newsletter providing valuable information on practice management concerns.

MEDICAL STUDENTS

Student membership is free and by becoming an HCMS/TMA member you will have the opportunity to start becoming involved in organized medicine. So don't delay, begin making a difference in your community and your profession and join HCMS/TMA today!

Benefits of Membership

  • The annual First-Year Medical Students' Mixer for first-year students from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine, The Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, and the UTHealth McGovern Medical School enables students to meet other students and HCMS physician leaders. 
  • Participation on HCMS/TMA Boards, Councils and Committees to build leadership experience.
  • Low interest rates on medical school loans through TMA.
  • Student Scholarship opportunities from TMA to students.
  • Legislative advocacy on issues that concern students identify, such as graduate medical education.
  • Organize and participate in community projects.
  • Rapid access to the associations' accumulated expertise in health care, health law, practice management, medical economics, and public health via TMA Knowledge Center.
  • TMA student e-newsletters, email updates and dedicated staff resources.
  • TMA resources.

Opportunities for Participation and Leadership

  • Participate on HCMS Boards, Councils and Committees to build leadership experience.
  • Serve as a TMA officer at the local chapter level.
  • Join top physician leaders and represent students on a TMA board, council or committee that recommends policy to TMA in your area of interest, such as legislative affairs, child and adolescent health or medical education.
  • Run for an elected position at TMA.
  • Attend medical student meetings at TMA's annual meetings (Winter Conference, TexMed, Fall Conference), network with other students across the state, enhance your knowledge of the medical profession, and help develop recommendations for TMA policy.
  • Support TEXPAC, TMA's political action committee, which actively endorses candidates for public office who support medicine's agenda.
  • Participate in First Tuesdays at the Capitol, TMA's organized visits to legislators during the state legislative session, You will receive notices from HCMS about the annual bus trip that takes BCM and U students to one of the First Tuesday events.
  • Participate in TMA's public health initiatives to help your community.

Resources

Helpful Links and Numbers

RESIDENT AND FELLOWS

By joining, you become a member of both HCMS and TMA. Click to apply online.

Benefits of Membership

  • Attend branch meetings in your area at no cost. Branch meetings offer networking opportunities and CME seminars on the business of medicine, regulatory and legislative issues.
  • Attend Young Physician Organization meetings to network.
  • Attend Virtual meetings  addressing licensure, legislative efforts, understanding of practice models, and more.
  • Stay informed! With our HCMS Direct email service you can receive emails on topics you choose, such as: Practice Management & Insurance, CME Opportunities, Legislative Issues, and more. Click to sign up for HCMS Direct. 
  • Participate on HCMS Boards, Councils and Committees to build leadership experience.
  • Check out the latest Resident Member benefits emails.

Opportunities for Leadership

  • Join top physician leaders and represent residents on an HCMS or TMA board, council or committee that recommends policy to TMA in your area of interest, such as legislative affairs, child and adolescent health or medical education. Click here for more information.
  • Run for an elected position at TMA.
  • Attend resident meetings at TMA's annual meetings (Winter Conference, TexMed, Fall Conference) and network with other residents across the state, enhance your knowledge of the medical profession, and help develop recommendations for TMA policy; and
  • Join us for First Tuesdays at the Capitol, TMA's organized visits to legislators during the state legislative session.

Resources for Surviving Residency

  • Low interest rates for resident and graduate medical education loans through the TMA.
  • Licensing and credentialing information (e.g., Texas Jurisprudence Manual and Study Guide, containing medical education checklist and FAQ guide).
  • Legislative advocacy on issues that residents identify, such as resident work hours and physician in training permits.
  • Continuing medical education opportunities, including on-demand Webinars and home study courses.
  • Rapid access to the associations accumulated expertise in health care, health law, practice management, medical economics, and public health via TMA Knowledge Center.
  • TMA's resident e-newsletter, email updates and dedicated staff resources.
  • Residents Salary & Debt Report 2015: 

Career Resources for Job Seekers

Help with Transitioning to Practice

  • TMA consulting services at below-market rates for expert advice in setting up your new practice and operating it efficiently from the start.
  • Professional liability insurance through the Texas Medical Liability Trust.
  • Major medical, life and disability insurance and financial services through Texas Medical Association Insurance Trust.
  • TMA's Employment and Recruitment Contract Negotiation Guide.
  • TMA's webinars on the business of medicine.
  • Web-based training to allow convenient access to educational programs.
For questions, contact Ahuva Terk at ahuva_terk@hcms.org or call 713-524-4267, ext. 329.

RETIRED PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION

The RPO is a dynamic organization with 600 members. As a retired or life member of HCMS and TMA, you continue to receive many of the benefits of membership, including access to staff, privileges at the Houston Academy of Medicine/Texas Medical Center Library, and the HCMS website where you can view the Physician Newsletter. You also may attend TMA meetings free of charge and take advantage of their numerous CME opportunities. 

We encourage you to join the RPO which is geared to the interests of our retired physicians. Now that you are dues exempt from HCMS/TMA, the RPO dues of $60 per year are a bargain, and includes a listing in the online Retired Physician Directory and the printed monthly RPO newsletter. 

HCMS Membership Roster -  
- HCMS Physician online Directory (includes retired physicians)
- RPO Membership Roster    

For more information on joining the RPO or to make a reservation for the monthly luncheon, contact Debbi Eschenbach at 713-524-4267, ext. 245 or debbi_eschenbach@hcms.org.

Monthly Luncheon Dates:

All monthly luncheon meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month (unless otherwise notified) at the Houston Racquet Club, 10709 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77024, at 11:30 a.m. The RPO is currently in-person meetings with a virtual option. To register for the most current meeting, click here. 

RPO important links

For more information on joining the RPO, contact Debbi Eschenbach at debbi_eschenbach@hcms.org or 713-524-4267, ext. 245.

WOMEN PHYSICIANS

The Women Physicians Section operates as a component of the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) and is governed by the Bylaws of HCMS. It is organized to strengthen female physicians’ engagement and representation in HCMS and the Texas Medical Association through the development of relevant programming, and services. Membership consists of HCMS female physician members and those who request to join the Section. The section meets twice a year. 

Opportunities for Involvement 
The Women Physicians Section (WPS) is led by the elected officers and appointed diplomats. Explore the Section leadership opportunities here.  

Please click here to register for the next meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at The Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Ln (77027). The topic will be "Litigation Support for Physicians: Overcoming Second Victim Syndrome." 6-6:55 pm Networking Reception; 7-8 pm Dinner and Ethics CME Presentation.
 
TMA also offers a variety of opportunities for involvement through its Women Physicians Section.

New: Explore the TMA-WPS GroupMe where you can connect with other TMA women physician section members to talk, collaborate and exchange information.

2024 WPS OFFICERS:

Chair: Victoria C. Chang, MD
Vice Chair: Katie Fung-Yip, MD
Officer at Large: Linda Pang, MD

Diplomats:
Garima Arora, MD
Savitha Bonthala, DO
Suparna Chhibber, MD
Stephanie P. Fong, MD
Jessica Garcia, DO
Laura P. Jimenez-Quintero, MD
Oksana Marroquin, MD
Monika Patil, MD
Archana S. V. Raghavan, MD

There are discrepancies in pay, position and perks between men and women in all fields, including in medicine and surgery. This is mediated, in part, by a discomfort in negotiation by women, which can potentially be mitigated by negotiation training. Dr. Chagpar discusses her research focused on the creation and assessment of a virtual negotiation workshop for women physicians as well as provide tips and advice to guide the negotiation process.

For more information contact LaCoya Boone at lacoya_boone@hcms.org or 713-524-4267, ext. 224.