New CME Requirements in Texas

[Got Em]

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I am not sure why this is so confusing to me. Can someone verify if I have this correct?

Since we are pain physicians, in order to satisfy new CME requirements in Texas we must:

1) Have 24 formal hours every 2 years
- 10 hours per year must be pain related (so 20 out of 24 hrs in pain?)
- 1 human trafficking course within the 2 years
- 2-3 hours of other CME in other approved CME

2) Have 24 informal hours every 2 years

Pain Management and the Prescription of Opioids​

• At least 2 of the 24 formal hours must involve the study of the following topics:

• best practices, alternative treatment options, and multi-modal approaches to pain management that may include physical therapy, psychotherapy, and other treatments;

• safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances, including education regarding:

- standards of care;

- identification of drug-seeking behavior in patients; and

- effectively communicating with patients regarding the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substances; and

• prescribing and monitoring of controlled substances.

• These formal hours maybe credited towards

• the requirements for medical ethics or professional responsibility for any physician, or

• the 10 hours of pain management continuing education required for those physicians practicing in pain clinics (see info below under “Additional Requirements”.

• This requirement applies to the renewal of a license on or after September 1, 2020.

Pain Management Clinics

Per Board rule 195.4(e), the medical director of a pain management clinic must, on an annual basis, ensure that all personnel (including the medical director) are properly licensed, and if applicable, trained to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) related to pain management.

Board Rule 195.4(e), the medical director or owner/operator of the pain management clinic, must on annual basis, ensure all personnel are properly licensed and, if applicable, have the requisite training to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) annually in the area of pain management. This CME requirement applies to all personnel providing medical services to the patients (including, but not limited to: PAs, x-ray techs, phlebotomists, RNs, MAs, etc.). Office staff, such as managers, janitors, etc. who do not provide medical services, would not be required to meet the CME requirement, but would need to be listed in response to a pain clinic audit which requires listing all clinic personnel for that clinic.

 

[drrosenrosen]

I am not sure why this is so confusing to me. Can someone verify if I have this correct?

Since we are pain physicians, in order to satisfy new CME requirements in Texas we must:

1) Have 24 formal hours every 2 years
- 10 hours per year must be pain related (so 20 out of 24 hrs in pain?)
- 1 human trafficking course within the 2 years
- 2-3 hours of other CME in other approved CME

2) Have 24 informal hours every 2 years

Pain Management and the Prescription of Opioids​

• At least 2 of the 24 formal hours must involve the study of the following topics:

• best practices, alternative treatment options, and multi-modal approaches to pain management that may include physical therapy, psychotherapy, and other treatments;

• safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances, including education regarding:

- standards of care;

- identification of drug-seeking behavior in patients; and

- effectively communicating with patients regarding the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substances; and

• prescribing and monitoring of controlled substances.

• These formal hours maybe credited towards

• the requirements for medical ethics or professional responsibility for any physician, or

• the 10 hours of pain management continuing education required for those physicians practicing in pain clinics (see info below under “Additional Requirements”.

• This requirement applies to the renewal of a license on or after September 1, 2020.

Pain Management Clinics

Per Board rule 195.4(e), the medical director of a pain management clinic must, on an annual basis, ensure that all personnel (including the medical director) are properly licensed, and if applicable, trained to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) related to pain management.

Board Rule 195.4(e), the medical director or owner/operator of the pain management clinic, must on annual basis, ensure all personnel are properly licensed and, if applicable, have the requisite training to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) annually in the area of pain management. This CME requirement applies to all personnel providing medical services to the patients (including, but not limited to: PAs, x-ray techs, phlebotomists, RNs, MAs, etc.). Office staff, such as managers, janitors, etc. who do not provide medical services, would not be required to meet the CME requirement, but would need to be listed in response to a pain clinic audit which requires listing all clinic personnel for that clinic.

A follow up question: do they mean 10 hours per year, or ten hours per year average. In other words, if I go to a ASRA or SIS conference, and get 20 hours, does that cover me for the next two years? Or does it really need to be done within that calendar year?

 

[Got Em]

A follow up question: do they mean 10 hours per year, or ten hours per year average. In other words, if I go to a ASRA or SIS conference, and get 20 hours, does that cover me for the next two years? Or does it really need to be done within that calendar year?

Not sure either. It's very confusing. Sounds like no one on here knows and we may have to email the state board.

 

[Agast]

I enjoyed the Texas Pain Society meeting this year, that's an easy 13.5 credits. It's always in San Antonio.

You're not supposed to do all your CME in one year. But it's an honor system. You have to keep your records somewhere so if you get audited, you can procedure proof that you've been compliant with the requirements.

 

[paintrain]

A follow up question: do they mean 10 hours per year, or ten hours per year average. In other words, if I go to a ASRA or SIS conference, and get 20 hours, does that cover me for the next two years? Or does it really need to be done within that calendar year?

You can carry forward 48 excess CME up to 2 years.

https://www.tmb.state.tx.us/page/resources-cme-for-md-dos

"There is a maximum of 48 total excess credit hours that may be carried forward and a limit of two years from the date of the registration following the period during which the hours were earned. Excess hours are applied/reported according to their Category. "

 

[paintrain]

Reviving this thread because I recently looked over it and am still confused.

I am not sure why this is so confusing to me. Can someone verify if I have this correct?

Since we are pain physicians, in order to satisfy new CME requirements in Texas we must:

1) Have 24 formal hours every 2 years
- 10 hours per year must be pain related (so 20 out of 24 hrs in pain?)
- 1 human trafficking course within the 2 years
- 2-3 hours of other CME in other approved CME

2) Have 24 informal hours every 2 years

Pain Management and the Prescription of Opioids​

• At least 2 of the 24 formal hours must involve the study of the following topics:

• best practices, alternative treatment options, and multi-modal approaches to pain management that may include physical therapy, psychotherapy, and other treatments;

• safe and effective pain management related to the prescription of opioids and other controlled substances, including education regarding:

- standards of care;

- identification of drug-seeking behavior in patients; and

- effectively communicating with patients regarding the prescription of an opioid or other controlled substances; and

• prescribing and monitoring of controlled substances.

• These formal hours maybe credited towards

• the requirements for medical ethics or professional responsibility for any physician, or

• the 10 hours of pain management continuing education required for those physicians practicing in pain clinics (see info below under “Additional Requirements”.

• This requirement applies to the renewal of a license on or after September 1, 2020.

Pain Management Clinics

Per Board rule 195.4(e), the medical director of a pain management clinic must, on an annual basis, ensure that all personnel (including the medical director) are properly licensed, and if applicable, trained to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) related to pain management.

Board Rule 195.4(e), the medical director or owner/operator of the pain management clinic, must on annual basis, ensure all personnel are properly licensed and, if applicable, have the requisite training to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) annually in the area of pain management. This CME requirement applies to all personnel providing medical services to the patients (including, but not limited to: PAs, x-ray techs, phlebotomists, RNs, MAs, etc.). Office staff, such as managers, janitors, etc. who do not provide medical services, would not be required to meet the CME requirement, but would need to be listed in response to a pain clinic audit which requires listing all clinic personnel for that clinic.

Reviving this thread because I recently looked over it and still confusing. But this is what I have gathered after reviewing several times.

Every 2 years, you need 24 formal hours:
2 hours ethics
20 hours pain management (10 hours annually)
1 hour human trafficking
1 hour of any other CME
...
plus 24 informal hours.


My other question is: do I need to ensure my STAFF have 10 hours/year? It seems like it's asking a lot to have all my MAs (who sometimes are transient employees) have at all times 10 CME/year. And have my medical license be contingent on this requirement. What are you guys doing for this requirement as a relatively simple solution for all staff to have 10 CME annually?

https://www.tmb.state.tx.us/page/resources-cme-for-pain-managment-clinic

[Board Rule 195.4(e), the medical director or owner/operator of the pain management clinic, must on annual basis, ensure all personnel are properly licensed and, if applicable, have the requisite training to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) annually in the area of pain management. This CME requirement applies to all personnel providing medical services to the patients (including, but not limited to: PAs, x-ray techs, phlebotomists, RNs, MAs, etc.). Office staff, such as managers, janitors, etc. who do not provide medical services, would not be required to meet the CME requirement, but would need to be listed in response to a pain clinic audit which requires listing all clinic personnel for that clinic.]

 

[Agast]

Reviving this thread because I recently looked over it and am still confused.

Reviving this thread because I recently looked over it and still confusing. But this is what I have gathered after reviewing several times.

Every 2 years, you need 24 formal hours:
2 hours ethics
20 hours pain management (10 hours annually)
1 hour human trafficking
1 hour of any other CME
...
plus 24 informal hours.


My other question is: do I need to ensure my STAFF have 10 hours/year? It seems like it's asking a lot to have all my MAs (who sometimes are transient employees) have at all times 10 CME/year. And have my medical license be contingent on this requirement. What are you guys doing for this requirement as a relatively simple solution for all staff to have 10 CME annually?

https://www.tmb.state.tx.us/page/resources-cme-for-pain-managment-clinic

[Board Rule 195.4(e), the medical director or owner/operator of the pain management clinic, must on annual basis, ensure all personnel are properly licensed and, if applicable, have the requisite training to include 10 hours of continuing medical education (CME) annually in the area of pain management. This CME requirement applies to all personnel providing medical services to the patients (including, but not limited to: PAs, x-ray techs, phlebotomists, RNs, MAs, etc.). Office staff, such as managers, janitors, etc. who do not provide medical services, would not be required to meet the CME requirement, but would need to be listed in response to a pain clinic audit which requires listing all clinic personnel for that clinic.]

That’s weird. I would contact the Texas Pain Society for clarification.