Health Law & Policy

Two federal bills, one recently passed by Congress and the other recently introduced in the House of Representatives, seek to address a common area of frustration among physicians: the federal government’s electric health records meaningful use requirements.

Urologist Kevin R. Loughlin, MD, MBA, considers the immediate and long-term implications of the Supreme Court’s decision in King v. Burwell.

In nearly every survey of physician sentiment, doctors cite administrative burdens associated with payer relations as distracting from patient care and the performance of their chosen profession.

Congress doesn’t appear to like very much President Obama’s FY 2016 budget proposal to eliminate funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention activities that are focused on education about prostate cancer screening and treatment, as well as tracking disease incidence and mortality data.

Urologist Stephen G. Weiss II, MD, FACS, explains why he is voluntarily relinquishing his American Board of Urology certificate.

In this interview, AUA President William F. Gee, MD, discusses current challenges facing the AUA and its members, possible solutions, and novel new AUA initiatives.

The Independent Payment Review Board appears to be headed out of existence, much to the pleasure of much of the provider community-including urologists.

The Affordable Care Act has survived its latest legal challenge. After reading the Supreme Court's recent decision in King v. Burwell, Dan Shaffer of the AACU discusses how the justices arrived at it and what it means to you.

Despite the common perception of Congress being filled with a bunch of politically obsessed do-nothings, there actually is a determined and dedicated group of lawmakers and staff assistants who are working practically 24-7 to develop a sweeping new initiative that would help speed drug and device approvals and increase funding for new drug innovation.

Urologists appear skeptical that the recent repeal of SGR will have a significant impact on their practice.

Dr. Kapoor, LUGPA’s chairman of health policy, explains the basis of his recent JAMA letter supporting the in-office ancillary services exception to the Stark law.

Having completed a well-deserved victory lap after the recent repeal of the SGR, it's time to tune up our engines and head right back to the race track to advance the specialty's remaining advocacy priorities.

Finally, I can stop writing about the Medicare SGR formula and efforts to reform it, and you can stop worrying about whether you’re going to get whacked with untenable payment cuts about this time every year.

Not-so-obvious coding errors and self-referral practices are a growing target for the government and contractors, health care attorneys say.

What can urologists do to protect themselves from being accused of and charged with health care fraud and abuse? Urologist Jeffrey Kaufman, MD, and attorneys J.D. Thomas, Esq and Laura F. Laemmle-Weidenfeld, Esq provide these four suggestions.

Legislation that ends the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula was hailed by leading urology groups as a historic, watershed event.

Urologist Gary M. Kirsh, MD, says it’s time to bid farewell to fee for service and embrace the concept of value-based compensation in medicine.

In this column, Daniel R. Shaffer of the AACU discusses the recent Urology Joint Advocacy Conference and how urology may have helped move the needle on a promising new SGR proposal.

Are you ready for value-based compensation? If not, these 6 steps can help you prepare.

The major organizations representing urologists are continuing their push for congressional approval of legislation designed to reform the operations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which in May 2012 recommended against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer.

Narrow provider networks are gaining ground among insurers and could impact patient access to urologists. While insurers tout the approach to care as a way to control costs and preserve quality, urologists and others question whether the payment model is all about cost.

In this column, Ross E. Weber of the AACU examines where various proposals to address the specialist physician shortage currently stand.

In this interview, Patrick H. McKenna, MD, former chairman of the AUA’s Judicial & Ethics Committee, discusses self-referral as well as the AUA expert witness program, conflicts of interest, and live surgical demonstrations.

Have the stars finally become aligned in such a way that Congress resolves the perennial Medicare physician fee fiasco? The signs seem to point that way.

Urologists attending the 2015 Urology Joint Advocacy Conference will have the opportunity to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill at a pivotal time for physicians.

Urologists contacted by Urology Times do not expect the current makeup of Congress to have much of an impact on health care.

Just over a year ago, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services issued a report declaring that Medicare payments for vacuum erection systems were “grossly excessive” and recommended steps to remedy the situation.

The 2015 omnibus spending bill canceled a $10 million appropriation for the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Congress also approved a bill that cuts Medicare funding for vacuum erection systems. Rationing care, whether undertaken by the IPAB or Congress, must be opposed when it arbitrarily selects services based on public perception and not medical necessity, writes Ross E. Weber of the AACU.

Urology Times looks back on the top health policy and practice management stories of 2014, including coverage of the Affordable Care Act and changes in reimbursement.

You can expect the new Congress, now controlled in both the House and Senate by Republicans, to take a shot at repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board.