Practice Management

In this article, Robert A. Dowling, MD, examines some common issues in the office pertaining to industry reps and some possible solutions.

"I think the biggest change is that people in this country are realizing that the most important thing in medicine is to figure out how we get everybody covered, regardless of their ability to pay," says one urologist.

These tips, fixes, and workarounds can ease urologists’ EHR-related frustrations.

"One of the most common complaints we hear is, 'I am working harder and making less.' Even if you were perfect in billing and collections, this would be true," write the Painters.

"If you are hoping to be paid more with the –22 modifier, make sure you are committed to both the documentation and the follow-up," write Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter.

HHS toolkit outlines basic practices to combat phishing, ransomware attacks.

Include disability insurance and estate planning on your financial checklist for this year, advises Jeff Witz, CFP.

Practices must embark on a journey that goes beyond new technology.

Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter also answer questions regarding BCG instillation and reporting of simple laparoscopic prostatectomy.

AI is poised to revolutionize use of medical data, but challenges remain.

The rule must be applied when making a distribution from non-Roth IRA.

A limited number of outcome measures available to urologists.

Your plan should address the needs of patients, staff, providers, and the business.

“Urology practices that are struggling to achieve payment increases and bonuses under MIPS for 2017 and 2018 may reap some strategic benefits from taking the lead in forming virtual groups in subsequent years,” according to Rick Rutherford, CMPE.

Also watch for new telemedicine codes and positive relative value unit updates.

Also learn about a new stone device, an at-home testosterone enanthate injection, and more.

To help the modern urologist, we list and briefly review the best apps to get urologists at all levels of expertise through their day.

"Health care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are great ways to pay for medical, dental, and vision expenses," writes Jeff Witz, CFP.

Charging by time is permissible with appropriate documentation, according to Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter.

Take time to review your emergency fund and max out retirement account contributions.

Prostate cancer, BPH, and overactive bladder represent the most spending in the specialty.

Large or small, your ‘call center’ is essential to a good first impression.

Several strategies are available, each with their own pros and cons.

“Our time with patients is very truncated. EMRs actually get in the way of good care. They consume huge amounts of time," says one urologist.

"I'm not opposed to making a profit, and certainly businesses that take the risk to develop new technology should be financially rewarded for bringing that technology to market. But should life-changing technology be limited to those who can pay?" ponders Dr. Rosevear.

In his latest blog post, Rick Rutherford, CMPE, discusses the effects of recent major changes in the method that Medicare reimburses in-office clinical lab services.

Selling a bond prior to maturity may require offering a discount, according to Jeff Witz, CFP.

"If a high percentage of the radicals are billed with urethral suspension, then it is likely to be bundled in the future and it is possible that it will be tagged with an indicator that will not allow unbundling," write Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter.

Here’s what to do when a patient disregards medical advice.

“I don’t expect appreciation... But I believe patients do appreciate what we do, and it’s nice to receive thanks," says one urologist.