Member Highlight: Andy Wilson and Lon Young

 

Dr. Wilson and Dr. Young first ventured into the business side of medicine in 2013, when they started a concierge, primary care practice together in Bryan-College Station called MyMD. They were drawn to this model because it allowed them to do something almost impossible in traditional ER’s – provide excellent customer service and medical care to their patients by taking the time needed to diagnose and treat their medical problems.

Read More

SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT: CMR

CMR is an Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) that began more than 20 years ago with the vision and efforts of Dr. Cris Mandry, a residency-trained and board-certified physician, who is the founder of a Regional Emergency Physician Group, C&M Medical Services in Metairie, LA. Dr. Mandry is also the founding program director of the Louisiana State University Emergency Medicine Residency Program in Baton Rouge, LA.

Read More

FECs: New Face, Better ‘Bond’

After transitioning from the “big box” ED to a freestanding emergency center (FEC), I was amazed by how our performance metrics, and my outlook, improved

Read More

Member Highlight: Okemefuna I. Okpara

My journey into health care started way back in my childhood days growing up as young kid in West Africa. Fortunately for us, my father, now a retired physician, was always able to tend to most of our health care needs in the privacy of our own home. I vividly recall my younger brother being hooked up and receiving IV fluids in our bedroom during a severe bout with diarrhea. We also always had a stash of anti-malaria medication around and available whenever the first signs of Malaria seemed to kick in.

Read More

Sponsor Highlight: Propel HR of Texas

Propel HR of Texas is a human resources outsourcing company, offering customized HR services for the freestanding emergency center (FEC) industry. They provide stress-free human resource solutions including payroll processing, benefits administration, employment tax management, workers’ compensation, and Affordable Care Act compliance.

Read More

Consumer Confusion: Urgent Cares

There are many myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings pertaining to freestanding emergency centers (FECs) in Texas, most of which have been blamed on the FECs themselves. As with any new industry, there is an obligation to educate the public and change their perception, which is exactly what TAFEC has worked hard to do through advocacy efforts, media relations, social media, community outreach and engagement, and facility tours. However, consumer confusion does not rest solely on FECs – other parties in the health care system are also responsible and must be held accountable. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Since the industry’s inception in 2009, FECs have been compared to urgent care facilities. Both FECs and urgent cares offer medical care in a similar setting – often in small buildings in community business parks and areas of commerce. While urgent care facilities and FECs are similar in appearance, they offer very different services.

Read More

Sponsor Highlight: Reconstructive Orthopedic Center of Houston

Reconstructive Orthopedic Center of Houston (ROC) is a Houston-based orthopedic practice specializing in acute injury (nerve, tendon, artery, bone) and repetitive micro-trauma affecting nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome), tendons (tennis elbow, trigger digits,) and ligaments occurring during sports, at home, or in the work place. ROC is located centrally in the Houston Museum District, with easy access through the medical center Tram or via a valet drive up to our front office.

Read More

TAFEC Legislative Recap: A Letter From the President

TAFEC President Swapan Dubey provides a recap of the 84th Texas Legislature at the annual TAFEC Membership Meeting.

As the 84th Texas Legislature comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who made this session so successful for our industry. This association’s primary purpose is to promote growth and protect freestanding emergency centers from unfair regulation, and I believe we have achieved that mission this session.

Read More

Sponsor Highlight: City Ambulance Service

City Ambulance was founded in 2007. Our staff, equipment, and units were designed to exclusively service and cater to the needs of freestanding emergency rooms. City Ambulance has become one of the fastest growing private ambulance services in Texas.

Read More

Health Insurance: In-Network & Out-of-Network Providers

Much is being written today regarding the practice of balance billing by out-of-network medical providers. To paint a clear picture of why a provider is “out-of-network” and why a provider might “balance bill” a patient, it is important to understand the following:

  • The advantages/disadvantages of becoming an “in-network” provider.
  • The application process for becoming an “in-network” provider.
  • Insurance company reimbursement proposals to “in-network” providers.
  • The difference between providers who offer routine care versus those providing emergency care.

What Does In-Network/Out-Of-Network Mean for Providers?

Read More

TAFEC Legislative Update: Senate Bill 425/HB 3475

UPDATE: Yesterday, the Texas House of Representatives passed SB 425 on its third reading with a vote of 138-5. SB 425 will now go back to the Senate for final approval of the new website posting requirement, and then on to Governor Abbott for final approval before being signed into law.

Read More

TAFEC Legislative Update: Senate Bill 425/HB 3475

HB 3475 by Dr. Greg Bonnen was heard in the House Public Health committee yesterday afternoon. This is the companion bill to SB 425 by Senator Charles Schwertner, MD. SB 425 was passed out of the Senate last week with no opposition. Eventually, these two bills will need to merge together, with the SB likely becoming the one that passes.

Read More

Freestanding Emergency Centers Here to Stay

By: Michael J. Sarabia, MD, FACEP

Read More

TAFEC Legislative Update: Senate Bill 425

Today Senate Bill 425, proposed by Sen. Charles Schwertner, was voted out of the Senate Business & Commerce Committee.

Read More

Texas to Host First Ever NAFEC Conference for Freestanding Emergency Centers

NAFEC Holds Conference to Advocate for Growth of FEC Facilities on National Scale

Read More

FECs Added to Baby Moses Bill

Senate Bill 1279, carried by Sen. Donna Campbell and Sen. Jane Nelson, along with House Bill 3126, carried by Rep. Geannie Morrison, are new pieces of legislation that seek to add freestanding emergency centers (FECs) to the list of “designated emergency infant care providers.” The bills require that FECs examine and provide emergency medical services to any abandoned child taken into its possession.

Rep. Morrison’s original bill was established to address an alarming increase in newborns being abandoned in perilous places. The mission of the project is to publicize a confidential, and safe alternative to newborn abandonment.

Read More

Sponsor Highlight: Xite

 

Santee Hathaway, Michael Tatum, Patrick Valentz and Tommy Newton founded Xite Realty for one main purpose: to help physicians because they help us.

Read More

CSSB 425 Hearing Recap: Senate Business and Commerce Committee

Today, the Senate Business and Commerce committee considered Senate Bill 425, which addresses billing transparency and mediation for freestanding emergency centers (FECs). The Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) was well represented at the hearing, with three members providing oral testimony to the committee.

Read More

SB 425 Testimony – Rhonda Sandel of Texas Emergency Care

Good morning. My name is Rhonda Sandel and I represent TAFEC, the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers. Our association is opposed to Senate Bill 425.

The Association represents 157 independently licensed Freestanding Emergency Centers, comprising over 80 percent of the industry. Our member facilities have contributed approximately 20 million dollars annually to the state and local governments, and employ over 7,000 Texans.

Read More

SB 425 Testimony – John McGee of ER Centers of America

Good morning Chairman Eltife and members of the committee.

My name is John McGee. My partner and I own two freestanding emergency medical facilities in the Dallas area, and have one under construction in Lubbock. We have operated freestanding facilities since 2007. I am here to testify against Senate Bill 425.

Read More