May 2nd 2024
In the world of health care, factors such as remote care, complex IT environments, and connected health care devices are creating new avenues for cybercriminals to target.
CMS releases evaluation version of electronic health record software
November 4th 2005The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released an evaluation version of VistA-Office Electronic Health Record, an adaptation of the Veterans Health Administration electronic health record, for private physician offices.
Choosing an EMR: How to determine what's best for you
October 15th 2005Like many of my colleagues, you may be investing in an electronic medical record system in the near future. An essential aspect of this process is the development of a request for proposal (RFP), a checklist of your needs that will help determine which system is best for you.
Proposed Medicare reforms look like good news for urologists
October 1st 2005Washington--Months of intensive lobbying and hard work have paid off for urologists, who now have an outside shot at a net Medicare fee schedule increase for their services, compared with the overall 4.3% reduction for 2006 announced in March.
Buying used medical equipment: Does it make sense?
October 1st 2005Two significant trends are having an impact on most urology practices today. First, most practices, including my own, are experiencing a decrease in reimbursement and rising overhead expenses. This ultimately translates to a decrease in net income.
Adoption rate for electronic health records is low
September 19th 2005Only 14% of all medical group practices use an electronic health record (EHR), according to a study by the Medical Group Management Association Center for Research and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis.
Is your practice ready to hire an IT technician?
June 1st 2005Nearly every practice is increasing the use of technology to improve office efficiency, enhance reimbursement, and increase patient satisfaction. Nearly every practice has or is considering implementing an electronic medical record, creating a robust interactive web site, networking their computers, and using electronic claims submission and a claims scrubber to ensure that claims are processed more quickly to increase your practice's cash flow.
ASC rule retains coverage for three urologic procedures
June 1st 2005Washington--Federal officials, after considering arguments and concerns presented by urologists and others, have decided to continue coverage for nearly 100 procedures performed in ambulatory surgical centers, including three urologic procedures, instead of removing them from the approved list as had been previously proposed.
Biofeedback physical therapy improves CPPS symptoms
May 1st 2005Istanbul, Turkey--Biofeedback physical therapy and pelvic floor re-education appear to offer symptomatic improvement in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome type III, Dutch researchers say. The techniques appear to work by improving relaxation and demonstrating proper use of pelvic floor muscles.
FAQs about in-office injections: What you need to know
March 1st 2005A number of questions still surround coding and reimbursement for in-office drug injections. As a result, this article will take a slightly different approach, using a "frequently asked questions" format. I?ll repeat the questions I?ve been asked about the new drug payments at seminars and via phone and e-mail, and attempt to give you straight answers to the best of my understanding.
New Senate boosts hope for medical liability reform
February 1st 2005Washington--There's an outside chance that urologists tired of fighting for medical liability reform in efforts to reduce their insurance rates could end up benefiting from the work of a surgeon who became a politician and is determined to get some federal judges confirmed by Congress.