314 local registrars, and all 13 medical examiner’s offices had enrolled in TER. DSHS reports as of June, 91 percent of this year’s death certificates had been filed electronically. Of those, physicians certified about 81 percent. Last year, certifiers filed 80 percent of death certificates electronically, com- pared with 63 percent in 2010, 44 per- cent in 2009, 19 percent in 2008, and 3.5 percent in 2007. Ms. Mann says several factors have contributed to increased electronic filing of death certificates:


• DSHS online and conference training; • Collaboration with regulatory orga- nizations and associations such as TMA and county medical societies, TMB, the Texas Funeral Service Com- mission, the Texas Funeral Directors Association, the Texas Hospital Asso- ciation, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;


• Assistance from local registrars, funer- al homes, physicians, justices of the peace, and medical examiners; and


• Technical assistance from the TER Help Desk and representatives of pro- fessional groups.


The limitations in listing causes of death aside, Dr. Garcia says the system is easier to use now compared with two years ago.


“I can get into the system more easily


Mann explains TER prompts physicians and other medical certifiers when addi- tional information would provide more complete and meaningful data. For ex- ample, if a physician enters “cancer” as a cause of death, the system asks him or her whether the condition had metas- tasized and requests more information regarding the site and cell type. Registration processing time has im-


proved. Ms. Mann says DSHS currently processes TER registration applications within five business days. In 2010, it took the department 15 to 20 business days to issue a user name and PIN to a newly registered physician. Moving forward, she says, DSHS plans to enable the system to allow users to reset their own forgotten passwords by answering security questions.


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“This publication should be a part of the curriculum for all medical students and residents. The author portrays a comprehensive understanding of physicians and their challenges in the business side of medicine.”


Susan K. Blue, MD Fort Worth, TX


Order today by visiting www.texmed.org/publications


TMLT lowers rates again


Special


now, and it doesn’t take as long to fill out the forms,” he said.


Ms. Mann says the department con- tinues to improve the TER system based on feedback from users. DSHS has pre- populated the medical certifier forms with data from funeral homes to stream- line the entry process.


Data quality was enhanced, too. Ms.


The Texas Pediatric Society Foundation expresses its sincere appreciation for the support of its 2012 Annual Benefit to


Pearse, MD Lee Ann


The Texas Medical Liability Trust, (TMLT) is reducing liability premiums an average of 4 percent for policyhold- ers who renew in 2013. It is TMLT’s 10th rate cut since 2004, following passage of the liability reforms the Texas Medical Association pushed through the legisla- ture in 2003.


Thanks


This comes off the July 20 announce- ment of a 15-percent policyholder divi- dend. The dividend and rate reduction will result in out-of-pocket savings of more than $25 million for TMLT phy- sicians in 2013, TMLT says. The com- bined effect of rate cuts and dividends will result in an approximate 52-percent decrease from 2003 rates. TMLT says this is unprecedented in the history of TMLT and the Texas liability insurance marketplace.


Proceeds from the Benefit and Silent Auction support research, education and community service projects


A. Tomas Garcia, MD David Lakey, MD


that improve the health, safety and welfare of children and adolescents in Texas. The 2013 Benefit will be held on Saturday, September 21 in Galveston. For more information on the Benefit, contact Amy White, 401 W. 15th Street, Ste. 682, Austin, TX 78701; PH: 512-370-1519, amy.white@txpeds.org


“The rate cut and dividend will save our policyholders more than $25 mil- lion in 2013, which greatly exceeds any- thing done by our competitors in Texas. A number of carriers have entered the state in recent years, but only TMLT is 100 percent dedicated to the Texas mar-


Special Thanks


Schneider, MD The Texas Pediatric Society Foundation


expresses its sincere appreciation for the support of its 2012 Annual Benefit to


Joseph


Proceeds from the Benefit and Silent Auction support research, education and community service projects


that improve the health, safety and welfare of children and adolescents in Texas. The 2013 Benefit will be held on Saturday, September 21 in Galveston. For more information on the Benefit, contact Amy White, 401 W. 15th Street, Ste. 682, Austin, TX 78701; PH: 512-370-1519, amy.white@txpeds.org


November 2012 TEXAS MEDICINE 47


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