Orthopaedic Advocacy
TOA is the only organization that focuses 100 percent of its advocacy efforts on issues that affect Texas orthopaedic surgeons and their patients.
Why Engage?
Laws and regulations touch every aspect of an orthopaedic practice. As a result, orthopaedic surgeons have no choice but to engage in the public policy process.
Prior Authorization & Texas
Click here to learn more about Texas’s new prior authorization law, which serves as the nation’s model law.
Musculoskeletal Care 101
Click here to view TOA’s primer on the musculoskeletal issues that affect Texas patients
Medicare Cuts: 2022 & 2023
Click here to learn how Congress addressed the 2022 cuts. More are proposed for 2023.
The Issues
Learn more about the public policy issues in Austin and Washington that affect Texas orthopaedic surgeons and their patients by viewing TOA’s e-mail updates (for members only).
Prior Authorization
Texas passed the nation’s model prior authorization law through HB 3459. Click here to learn more about prior authorization.
Workers’ Comp
Click here to learn more about Workers’ Comp issues in Texas.
Scope of Practice
The musculoskeletal system is complicated, which is why the Texas Legislature determines what training is appropriate. Click here to learn more.
Prescription Drugs
Click here to learn more about opioids and other prescription drug issues that affect musculoskeletal care.
Insurance Issues
Texas features the nation’s model out-of-network balance billing law, SB 1264. Click here to learn more about the No Surprises Act.
Medicare
Click here to learn more about Medicare issues and how they affect musculoskeletal care.
Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic surgeons are on the sidelines and on the benches in arenas for all of state’s sports teams. Click here to learn more.
Musculoskeletal Health
From scoliosis to bone density screenings, orthopaedic surgeons are improving musculoskeletal health.
Coordinated Care Models
Click here to learn how orthopaedic surgeons are leading teams in coordinated care models.
Military Treatment Facilities
Click here to learn more about TOA’s effort to help both Texas civilians and the military orthopaedic surgeons and EMS agencies that provide critical emergency care to Texans.
The Musculoskeletal System Is Complicated
Orthopaedic surgeons utilize both surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat the complex musculoskeletal system, which controls bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. They treat sports injuries, musculoskeletal trauma, tumors, infections, degenerative diseases and congenital disorders.
An orthopaedic surgeon has been trained to understand the entire human body and how different types of medical conditions may impact musculoskeletal health.
The treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions is one of the most complex acts in medicine. As a result, orthopaedic surgeons must go through an extensive training process of four years of medical school, five years in a residency and typically one year in a fellowship before beginning independent practice.
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Advocacy Opportunities
Learn more about how to be an advocate for your patients.
Learn About Emerging Issues Through TOA’s E-mail Newsletters & Updates
TOA members receive regular e-mail updates that cover emerging issues. TOA uses the updates as a tool to educate TOA members about the issues that affect their practices and patients.
Build Relationships With Your State and Federal Lawmakers
When lawmakers vote on issues that affect musculoskeletal care, TOA hopes that they will turn to orthopaedic surgeons in their districts for input. TOA encourages orthopaedic surgeons to build relationships with their lawmakers and aides.
Visit Austin and Washington, DC
Over a dozen Texas orthopaedic surgeons and residents visit Washington, DC, every September to advocate on behalf of Texas orthopaedic surgeons and their patients.
Residents: Developing Future Advocates
TOA is building the future of orthopaedics in Texas by sponsoring the travel for several Texas orthopaedic residents to visit Capitol Hill in Washington every year.
