Practice Management

Ex-urologists say they wanted to escape reimbursement woes, pursue morefulfilling careersMedicine is a commitment. Pre-med, medical school, internship, residency,and building a reputation in academia or in community practice adds up toa self-imposed promissory note that can take a decade, perhaps two, to payoff. This is why it is unusual when an established physician opts to changecareers.

New Products as presented in the July 1, 2002 issue of Urology Times

What are the benefits of PVP to the urologists?

Technologies are currently available or in development to make use of real-time wireless technology, which can be applied to the office practice of medicine and is affordable to large and small practices. Using wireless technology, physicians can have access to data on their patients anytime and anywhere.

System based on average sales price would reduce overpayments, membersof Congress sayWashington-Convinced that physicians are somehow ripping off Medicareby overcharging for prescription drugs, members of Congress are workingto find a solution. The eventual result could be restrictions on drug charges,combined with improvements in reimbursement levels for some cognitive services.

Q How can I code cysto with double-J stent replacement to receivea higher reimbursement? Medicare states that 52315 is bundled with 52332.I have used ­59 and ­58 and still do not receive reimbursement for52315.

Most urology practices evaluate their staffs' performance at least annually. The physician manager or office manager meets with the employees and evaluates their productivity and achievement of goals.

Patients' rights, regulatory reform, and research funding are still underconsiderationWashington-With a 5.5% decrease in Medicare reimbursement rates now inplace for 2002, urologists and other specialty groups are hoping to convinceCongress to quickly reduce those cuts and act on other issues importantto them, as well.

Make sure vendors have experience with urology practices and are HIPAAcompliantIn the new age of medicine, electronic medical records (EMR) systemswill transform the way you practice. Last month, I discussed the benefitsof EMR and its ability to facilitate many of the goals common to all practices-efficiency,correct coding, Medicare and HIPAA compliance, and improved outcomes. Inthis column, I will discuss how to select an EMR system, including productfeatures, vendor support, and cost.

As of January 4, the final Stark II rules became effective. These federalregulations will have a profound effect on the relationship between urologypractices and the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Their impact extends farbeyond lithotripsy, which has been the primary concern of many urologists,to virtually every aspect of their practices. Practices that have not conformedto the requirements of these new regulations are exposed to financial penaltiesand other severe sanctions.

It's time to add electronic medical records, or EMR, to the list of buzzwordscommon in medical practices today. This new technology, although in itsinfancy, has the opportunity to facilitate many of the goals common to allpractices-efficiency, correct coding, Medicare and HIPAA compliance, andimproved outcomes. We are in a new age of medicine, and EMR technology willtransform the way you practice.

Q Can you please clarify the tax ramifications associated with long-termcare insurance?

Attention to reimbursement, billing/collection, and accounts receivablewill boost cash flow

Oak Park, IL-Cunningham Group has launched a new insurance plan thatoffers complete protection to medical practices, hospitals, clinics, andother health care providers that bill Medicare and Medicaid. The new plan,called MediKey, takes the guesswork out of coding and protects medical earningswith special low-cost billing errors and omissions (E&O) insurance availableto those who enroll in the compliance plan. This combined approach enablesproviders to qualify for the E&O insurance at a favorable rate, thecompany says.

Washington-A sweeping new proposed federal regulation dealing with hospital outpatient compensation would change Medicare payments for specific medical procedures and tighten rules governing new technology payments, a move that could adversely affect urologists. The regulation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS) would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2002.

If you thought your electronic nightmare was over when the Y2K scare came and went with hardly a glitch, think again. There's another acronym that all of us in health care will have to contend with in the next few years: HIPAA, or the Healthcare Information and Portability and Accountability Act.

Bothell, WA-Data Critical Corp. offers the PocketChart handheld tool for patient charting, billing, and filing. With the product, physicians can create complete, legible documents using simple point-and-tap menus to record all elements of a patient encounter, the company says.