Tell us your opinion in TAFP’s medical home survey
As more health care advocates turn their eye to the patient-centered medical home—a model of care anchored by a personal physician who leads a team to coordinate all aspects of a patient’s preventive, acute and chronic care needs—TAFP needs to hear how it will affect all types of family medicine practices. Thank you for taking a few minutes to fill out the survey.

Blue Cross makes patients’ out-of-pocket health costs available to physicians
The newest tool from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas will give physicians access to information on how much the patient will need to pay at the time of service. more …

Access news important to family physicians in TAFP online magazine
You don’t have to wait until the fall edition of TEXAS FAMILY PHYSICIAN hits your mailbox, the latest magazine is now available online in the news section of the TAFP Web site. In this issue we bring you a re-print of the Primary Solution policy document launched last week as well as an analysis of the presidential candidates’ health reform plans, family physicians’ research, a guide to surviving a TMB investigation, practice management tips on e-Prescribing and more. Check out TFP online now.

Get your family-medicine-friendly election primer on TAFPPAC’s endorsement list
Less than a month remains before voters head to the polls to elect the next U.S. president. Remember that half of the Texas senators and the entire House of Representatives will also be on the ballot. View the candidates endorsed by the TAFP Political Action Committee on the TAFPPAC Web site and support the lawmakers who support your patients and your practice.

Two TAFP members on ballot for TMLT board, policyholders vote by mail in October
Attention TMLT policyholders: Don’t forget to watch your mailbox for the TMLT Board of Governors election ballot. TAFP members Kurt Frederick, M.D., and James Merryman, D.O., have put their names in the running to serve on the board. For more information, read TAFP’s previous coverage on the election.

Read the latest immunization news from DSHS
Access the latest DSHS influenza advisory, plus read about a ranking jump for Texas child immunizations and sign up to receive DSHS e-mail updates. more …

EDUCATION UPDATE

Onsite registration available for Primary Care Summit
Conference to take place this weekend at the Westin Oaks
Onsite registration will be available for this weekend’s Primary Care Summit at the Westin Oaks in Houston starting at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17. CME will begin at 7 a.m. with breakfast. Onsite registration costs $495 for TAFP members or $195 for resident and life members. For other registration fees and more information on the course schedule and hotel, go to the Primary Care Summit page of the TAFP Web site.

2009 Doctors in Motion online registration is now open
Online registration is now available for the 2009 Doctors in Motion conference in Crested Butte, Colo. Jan. 16-21. New this year: each day will feature one in-depth clinical focus, allowing attendees to delve further into the most popular primary care topics. Read more about the topics and our updated registration process. more …