Practice Management

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Physician services see 4.8% annual average growth rate in the past 10 years.

The federal agency has issued final guidance on how to design studies that include this patient population.

"Depending on the age of the surgeon, one may be surprised to hear that it was common to perform a vasectomy routinely on patients undergoing a TURP procedure," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

Seideman says urology is a great option for women considering a surgical subspecialty.

"It is clear that if a practice were to require or encourage all or some of their patients to supply their own catheters, it would be considered a violation of your Medicare participation and could result in takebacks, fines, or even exclusion from Medicare," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

Although women represent an increasing percentage of the urology workforce, they remain underrepresented in receiving recognition awards from the American Urological Association.

Casey Seideman, MD, discusses the gender pay gap in urology and the path forward to address the issue.

SHIM and other questionnaires do not satisfy categories within Data section.

"When we consider potential employees, we look specifically for people who are most likely to care about the people we’re taking care of," says one urologist.

“A lot of medicine that you do in person is very provider-centric in the sense that you tend to just walk from room to room and see patients, whereas with virtual care, you need to change the workflow a little bit,” says Chad Ellimoottil, MD, MS.

Determine whether your prescribing habits are in line with your peers.

The recently released AUA 2020 Annual Census Report also contained notable data regarding telemedicine utilization.

"Either way the service is reported, the payer should require documentation be submitted for review prior to payment, and the use of the –52 on the 38571 will provide more appropriate guidance for reimbursement processing," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

"Determining the PVR as part of a urodynamics test is part of the test itself and included in the payment already," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

Include clear reason/diagnosis for each test, image, and diagnostic service ordered.

Urology Times reached out to 3 urologists and asked them, "How did you cope with the increased stress the pandemic has placed on your life?"

“We found that there is going to be a significant proportion of growth in the urology work force related to the number of women in urology, which is really exciting,” says Kate H. Kraft, MD.

Ellimoottil also discusses the status of his own practice with regards to in-person vs telemedicine visits.

Physician involvement in responses to payer audits is crucial.

"There are a number of physicians who would not feel comfortable using the word 'complete' unless they were confident that all prostate tissue had been removed," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

"My main complaint about virtual lectures is the loss of camaraderie of seeing colleagues face to face and having casual conversations," says one urologist.

Finasteride, oxybutynin chloride, and mirabegron also rank high in latest data from CMS.

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Leuprolide acetate remains the most commonly used androgen suppression drug.

"Placing a catheter to irrigate obstructing blood clots (CPT 51700) is specifically included in the payment for the TURP if this complication is managed outside of an operating room," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

Medical necessity must be documented on the chart in order to bill code.

“I remember being, I guess, relieved that I matched. It’s so competitive. It’s never a sure thing. You match somewhere; I remember relief with that," says 1 urologist.