April 14th 2025
Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter answer a question regarding coding for use of the second-generation Calyxo CVAC system.
February 27th 2025
CMS fails to use AUA data in practice expense RVU update
March 1st 2006Washington--When 2006 began, there was somewhat of a mess in Washington involving Medicare reimbursement, and that was especially true for urologists. At press time, some of those issues were being resolved, but, even so, there will likely be fallout that will at least inconvenience urologists and their staffs.
Shared data, changes to CAP bring challenges to 2006
February 1st 2006Ray Painter, MD As we move into the new year, urologists face three major issues affecting reimbursement: the need for improved data, a change in the Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP), and the inclusion of Medicare Part A in the average sales price/least costly alternative (ASP/LCA) payment process for Part B drugs.
AACU, AUA step up state and federal lobbying efforts
February 1st 2006Current AACU President Peter C. Albertsen, MD, discusses the role of AACU?s recently formed State Society Network, the upcoming AACU-AUA Joint Advocacy Conference in Washington, recent lobbying successes, and ongoing legislative issues.
CMS forges ahead with pay for performance reimbursement plan
January 1st 2006Washington--The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has every intention of moving forward with a new pay for performance system for reimbursing physicians for their services to Medicare patients, eventually ditching the current payment scheme. But it needs help from Congress to make it happen.
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.