By now, most of you are relatively fluent in the urology diagnosis codes that affect payment for the services provided in the urology office. Of course, we are now facing the end of the ICD-10 “grace period,” and fears of denials for bad diagnosis codes are once again starting to circulate. This begs the question, what should you do now?
This review focuses on primary prevention of BPH and prostate cancer.
Among survivors of the most common types of cancer, bladder cancer survivors have the highest risk for developing a second primary cancer, according to a recent study.
You can withdraw money from an IRA at any time and for any reason, but it's important to keep in mind that most IRA withdrawals are at least partially taxable.
Sexual function/dysfunction topics discussed at the 2016 AUA included the findings of multiple studies on the effects of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (Xiaflex) treatment for Peyronie's disease, causes and treatments for ED, along with a study on patient satisfaction with implantable penile prostheses.
Other products discussed in this roundup include a smart-mobile connected ultrasound device, treatments for RCC, and more.
The emergence of robot-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (RLDN) and new findings regarding renal transplant patients' cancer risk highlight the discussions of transplantation/vascular surgery discussions at this year's AUA meeting.
Management of strictures after BPH surgery and a new clinical guideline for the treatment and diagnosis of male urethral stricture were among the major focuses at the 2016 AUA meeting.
Multiple studies on exosomes, data from the IMvigor 210 trial of atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ), and research on prehabilitation for cystectomy were among the highlights in bladder cancer from the 2016 AUA annual meeting.
Other female urology topics discussed at this year's AUA meeting include preoperative urodynamics for women undergoing prolapse surgery and a study on nocturia.
The 2016 Medicare trustees’ recent report that the Medicare trust fund will reach insolvency by 2028 is providing fodder for congressional Republicans who are pushing a plan to replace Obamacare, including numerous proposals that would dramatically change Medicare.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy effectiveness and cost, as welll as 3-D printed models, highlight the minimally invasive surgery discussions at this year's AUA meeting.
Other products discussed in this roundup include a plasma vaporization device, a laser fiber safety device, and more.
A men’s health expert explains implications of new data and how he will counsel patients.
Richard A. Watson, MD, explains why urologists need to be prepared to deal with men’s questions and recommend preventive steps related to Zika virus transmission.
“It appears that baseline PSA is a lot more predictive than either family history or race alone and should be used to risk stratify screening,” the co-lead author of a recent study tells Urology Times.
A recent study comparing 8 weeks of conventional radiation therapy with hypofractionated RT over 4 weeks appears to have practice-changing implications for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Techniques from experienced clinicians help transition placement of the prostatic urethral lift from the OR to an office setting.
The American Association of Clinical Urologists (AACU) submitted comments on the post-SGR Medicare reimbursement program, MACRA, on June 27, 2016. In its comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the AACU expressed concern over a number of provisions that stand to negatively affect urologists in their practice of medicine and increase the cost of medical care.
"The fear of a hypothetical situation should not be used to place restrictions on the life of one of our transgender patients," writes Henry Rosevear, MD.
In this "Coding Q&A" column, Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter also answer a question about how to code for cystoscopy with stent removal through the stoma in a patient with an ileal loop.
In this second installment in a series, Robert A. Dowling, MD, addresses who is covered by MIPS, how and when you will be measured, and how and when you will receive your payment adjustment.
A recently released guideline on diagnosis and treatment of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer from the AUA and the Society of Urologic Oncology provides practitioners with a risk-stratified clinical framework to aid treatment decisions and surveillance strategies, said Sam S. Chang, MD, MBA.
Other basic science research pearls include preliminary evidence from a porcine model suggesting botulinum toxin type A facilitates ureteral stone passage and the identification of two different microdeletions in the NELL1 gene on chromosome 11 in men with Peyronie's disease.
Research on the use of a CO2 laser for penile carcinoma in situ and FDG positron positron emission tomography-computed tomography in identifying inguinal nodal metastasis (with clinically node negative groins) during monitoring after primary treatment for penile squamous cell carcinoma were among key abstracts in the area of penile, testis, and urethral cancer.
The AUA 2016 imaging take-home messages included abstracts about texture analysis, an imaging algorithm using CT and MRI in the evaluation of fat-poor angiomyolipomas, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The take-home messages were presented by Gary J. Faerber, MD, of the University of Utah Health Sciences, Salt Lake City.
Studies about ProPublica's Surgeon Scorecard, urology participation in accountable care organizations, and Twitter were among the take-home messages in outcomes analysis at the 2016 AUA annual meeting. The take-homes were presented by Christopher Saigal, MD, MPH, of the University of California, Los Angeles.
There is no excess risk of death, prostate cancer diagnosis, or cardiovascular events with long-term testosterone replacement therapy, Canadian researchers have found in a population-based matched cohort study.
An Obama administration plan to reform Medicare Part B payment policy has generated a chorus of bipartisan opposition from influential lawmakers and many in the medical community, including a leading oncologist who told Congress the initiative is simply an effort to cut costs by accusing physicians of prescribing more expensive drugs for profit.