What is the Texas Medical Practice Act?

Asked by: Prof. Elbert Hills I  |  Last update: June 22, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (41 votes)

The Texas Medical Practice Act, or Texas Occupations Code, Title 3 Health Professions, is where the state statutes are written that govern the practice of medicine and define the limits and responsibilities of medical practice in Texas.

What is the purpose of the medical practice Act?

For the purpose of the medical practice act, the practice of medicine is determined to occur where the patient is located in order that the full resources of the state are available for the protection of that patient.

Can you practice medicine in Texas without a license?

165.159. PRACTICING MEDICINE WITHOUT REGISTRATION. (a) A person commits an offense if the person practices medicine without complying with the registration requirements imposed by this subtitle. (b) An offense under Subsection (a) constitutes the offense of practicing medicine without a license.

What is the Texas medical malpractice Act?

The Texas Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act severely restricts that amount of damages that medical malpractice victims can obtain for pain and suffering. Non-economic damages against all doctors and health care providers capped at $250,000. Non-economic damages against health care facilities capped at $500,000.

What are the CPOM laws in Texas?

CPOM laws are regulations that prohibit standard corporations (or other non-physician entities) from practicing medicine or employing practicing physicians. The primary goal of these laws is to ensure that medical decisions are made solely based on patient care and not influenced by corporate interests.

10 lessons I've learned since starting my medical practice

36 related questions found

Can a non doctor own a medical practice in Texas?

Among these is Texas' own state law against the corporate practice of medicine. In short, this regulation essentially prohibits any non-licensed physician from (1) owning a medical practice, or (2) employing physicians.

What is CPOM in healthcare?

At its core, the Corporate Practice of Medicine refers to the legal and ethical principle that only licensed medical professionals can practice medicine. This means that corporations or non-licensed entities are generally prohibited from employing or directly managing healthcare providers.

Why is it so hard to sue a doctor in Texas?

Because the new law took away our right to a jury trial (guaranteed by the constitution) on the issue of damages – that is, how much money a jury can award. As a result, after 2003, it became much harder and much more costly to sue a healthcare provider in Texas.

What qualifies as medical negligence?

In the case of a medical man, negligence means failure to act in accordance with the standards of reasonably competent medical men at the time. There may be one or more perfectly proper standards, and if he confirms with one of these proper standards, then he is not negligent.”

What constitutes medical negligence in Texas?

In Texas, medical malpractice suits can be filed for “treatment, lack of treatment or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care” that result in injury or death to the patient. [1] Remember, it must be proven that this harm resulted from the healthcare professional's negligence.

Can doctors write their own prescriptions in Texas?

TMB prohibits physicians from prescribing controlled substances to themselves, family members, or others with whom they have a close personal relationship unless there is an "immediate need." Ms. Robinson says physicians can prescribe controlled substances for up to 72 hours in emergencies.

Which of the following are examples of unprofessional conduct?

In general, examples of unprofessional conduct include, but are not limited to, physical abuse of a patient, inadequate record keeping, not recognizing or acting upon common symptoms, prescribing drugs in excessive amounts or without legitimate reason, personal impairment (mental or physical) that hinders safely ...

What can a doctor do without a license?

Here is a list of 18 jobs for physicians that may not require a license:
  • Teacher. ...
  • Medical transcriptionist. ...
  • Medical billing and coding. ...
  • Ultrasound technician. ...
  • Medical receptionist. ...
  • Health coach. ...
  • Medical assistant. ...
  • Emergency medical technician (EMT)

What are three of the most common items that are considered unprofessional conduct by state medical practice acts?

Although laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, some examples of unprofessional conduct include the following:
  • Alcohol and substance abuse.
  • Sexual misconduct.
  • Neglect of a patient.
  • Failing to meet the accepted standard of care in a state.
  • Prescribing drugs in excess or without legitimate reason.

What does the Practice Act do?

A quick definition of practice act:

A practice act is a law that tells people how to behave in court. It explains what they can and cannot do.

What are reasons to revoke or suspend a physician's license?

In California, doctors risk losing their medical license after a conviction for a criminal offense. Facing criminal charges on its own cannot trigger a revocation of your license. However, the medical board will investigate the nature of your charges and whether or not they resulted in a conviction.

What are the 4 D's of medical negligence?

The four Ds of medical malpractice are duty, dereliction (negligence or deviation from the standard of care), damages, and direct cause. Each of these four elements must be proved to have been present, based on a preponderance of the evidence, for malpractice to be found.

Can you sue a doctor for not prescribing medication?

Understanding the Legal Basis for Suing a Doctor

To successfully pursue legal action, patients must demonstrate that the doctor had a duty of care towards them, breached that duty by not prescribing medication, and that this breach directly caused harm or injury.

What are the four things that must be proven to win a medical malpractice suit?

What Are the Four Elements of Medical Malpractice?
  • Duty: The duty of care owed to patients.
  • Dereliction: Or breach of this duty of care.
  • Direct cause: Establishing that the breach caused injury to a patient.
  • Damages: The economic and noneconomic losses suffered by the patient as a result of their injury or illness.

Is it worth suing a doctor?

Malpractice lawsuits are expensive, time consuming, and can open you up to public inspection. And, unlike most other types of personal injury claims, case trends show a tendency toward favoring doctors and other care providers, not injured plaintiffs.

Can I sue my doctor for emotional distress in Texas?

No, in Texas, you are not allowed to sue (or file an emotional distress lawsuit) for emotional distress alone, also known as NEID (negligent infliction of emotional distress). However, you may be able to recover damages for NEID as part of a personal injury claim if you have also suffered a physical injury.

What is the average settlement for medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas?

A jury can award any amount for economic damages. Therefore, the average medical malpractice settlement is somewhere between the person's economic damages and $250,000 above that amount.

What is the Medical Practice Act?

The right to practice medicine is a privilege granted by the state. Each state has laws and regulations that govern the practice of medicine and specify the responsibilities of the medical board in regulating that practice. These regulations are laid out in a state statute, usually called a medical practice act.

What is a friendly PC?

Summary. Physician enterprises in California commonly use the Friendly-PC Model in which a management services organization (MSO) owned by unlicensed individuals or entities provides administrative services to a professional medical corporation (PC), such as accounting and marketing.

What is MMD in healthcare?

Myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD) is a form of muscular dystrophy that affects muscles and many other organs in the body. Unlike some forms of muscular dystrophy, MMD often doesn't become a problem until adulthood and usually allows people to walk and be fairly inde- pendent throughout their lives.