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The group practice of dedicated subspecialists can establish its position as a community center of excellence if it accepts the challenge and the need to modify historic practice concepts.

Data from a phase II study suggest that the potency of sipuleucel-T (Provenge) and immunologic prime-boost responses are maintained when the immunotherapy is administered concurrently or sequentially with abiraterone acetate (ZYTIGA) plus prednisone.

The bundled payment model for episodes of care is a major player in what could be sweeping changes to the physician payment system that will likely see traditional fee for service taper off. Bundling has already made inroads in some surgical specialties, and it may very well apply to inpatient urologic procedures as well.

Drugs and devices in the pipeline from Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Metamark Genetics, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp., VIVUS, and Sanofi Chimie.

While it is still unclear whether and how Congress will reform the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula in time to avoid a 25% payment cut beginning in January, many physician groups, including the AUA, are adamantly opposed to another key component of the proposed 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

In its push to close the loophole on physician self-referral for prostate cancer treatment, the American Society for Radiation Oncology now has what some may call an unlikely ally.

Short-term hormone therapy appears to produce outcomes that are as favorable as those for long-term therapy in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to the results of two studies from the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.

Toxic chemicals in the environment harm our ability to reproduce and are associated with poor semen quality and prostate cancer, among other long-term health problems, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Urology Times congratulates Howard M. Snyder, III, MD, who received the Urology Medal at the recently concluded Pediatric Urology Fall Congress in Las Vegas. The Urology Medal is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of pediatric urology.

New research shows a significant decrease in PSA screening by primary care physicians since the release of the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendation against screening in May 2012.

A proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would cap payments for more than 200 physician services at outpatient prospective payment system or ambulatory surgery center rates would threaten patient access to optimal, cost-effective health care, according to the Large Urology Group Practice Association.

Is the end of SGR near?

The widely unpopular Medicare sustainable growth rate enacted under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 has threatened cuts to Medicare payments to physicians for years. This year there is hope that a solution to the perennial problem will be enacted into law.

Three different procedures to treat stress urinary incontinence led to high rates of recurrence-free outcomes at 5 years, and the choice of retreatment of SUI varied according to the initial procedure, long-term follow-up in two randomized trials showed.