Practice Management

In this article, I will discuss additional opportunities for urologists to improve the safety of care in their own practices in the context of the National Quality Forum’s best practices.

In cases involving a claim that a patient had an unnecessary operation where cancer was suspected but not found, the issues usually are a lack of informed consent and failure to further investigate the condition to get a definitive diagnosis.

In a series of articles, urologist Robert A. Dowling, MD, reviews aspects of the National Quality Forum's “Safe Practices for Better Healthcare” consensus recommendations that are relevant to quality and safety in urologic practice.

When choosing a life insurance product, time needs to be spent on the intricacies of how those death benefits pass to the intended heirs, and how your estate is impacted, prior to making the purchase.

The Painters clear up confusion surrounding coding for prostate needle biopsy, and also discuss split billing for urodynamics testing.

Neither option will sidestep the need for a manual review prior to payment, say Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter.

A patient with an abnormal PSA level transferred to another physician's care and was never told of his result. Two and a half years later, a biopsy revealed Gleason 9 prostate cancer.

To make sure you enjoy your retirement without financial worries, you should ensure you have enough money saved based on your own unique situation.

If you feel like the practice of medicine is becoming more complicated and that the government and the payers are out to get you, you are not alone, nor are you paranoid. In this article, we examine a few of the issues you are currently facing and some of the choices you have to make.

In this article, Robert A. Dowling, MD, covers some practical aspects of telemedicine and what it might mean for urology.

While it is often difficult to defend a case involving the removal of an organ for cancer that is then determined to be cancer free, the added claim of lack of informed consent for the procedure does not aid the defense in these lawsuits.

New products and services from Samsung Electronics America, Syneron Medical, American Medical Systems, New Star, Buffalo Filter, Cook Medical, Endo International, Trimel BioPharma Metamark, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Certain private payers are denying codes for prostate and renal biopsy, and strong documentation will be required to ensure you get paid for your services.

Urology Times looks back on the top health policy and practice management stories of 2014, including coverage of the Affordable Care Act and changes in reimbursement.

There is no specific limit to the number of times you can charge a –59 modifier. However, what and how you charge for multiple stones on the same side of the urinary tract is confusing, say Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter in their "Coding Q&A" column.

If your estate is substantial and you're concerned about the federal estate tax bill your heirs will pay, there's a way you might be able to use your house to remedy the situation. It may be as simple as giving away your home or as complex as knowing the mechanics of an estate-planning tool called a qualified personal residence trust.

In this article, Robert A. Dowling, MD, discusses some of the benefits, challenges, and evidence surrounding the patient portal.

Other products discussed in this article include a prosthesis for underactive bladder, a prostate cancer test, and an erectile dysfunction drug.

The 529 plan allows you to remove wealth from your estate while you steadily accumulate assets to help educate children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and even yourself, if you're planning to go back to college.

In this article, Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter provide some facts about the 2015 Medicare fee schedule and share some insights on how its changes will impact your practice in the New Year.

The claim alleged negligence in injuring the right ureter with a retractor during the original operation, and also claimed that the physicians were negligent in opening the bladder when removing part of the left ureter without performing a biopsy first.

Other products featured include a 16-slice CT scanner, new generic testosterone gel, prostate cancer risk calculator, and more.

As the health care market matures, consolidation will occur throughout the system, including within medical groups, says Steven M. Berkowitz, MD.

As owner and president of Shift Happens, a Chicago-based consulting firm, James Feldman is not a physician. But he learned some valuable, if not difficult, lessons about practicing medicine from his physician father.

A panel comprised of a highly experienced health care consultant and two group practice leaders finds that large group practices are likely to be one of the few entities allowing urologists or other specialists a refuge from the current chaos in the American health care system.

In this article, Robert A. Dowling, MD, reviews the challenges of implementing active surveillance in a practice as well as ways to surmount these obstacles.

Other cases discussed in this installment of "Malpractice Consult" include chronic testicular pain following vasectomy and a claim that a spinal tumor should have been found during treatment for post-vasectomy urinary problems.

In this "Coding Q&A" column, Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter answer several reader questions involving billing for multiple stones, including replacements for the –59 modifier, use of CPT code 50590, and NCCI guidelines and multiple stones.

In this article, Robert A. Dowling, MD, discusses what you need to know about EHRs and patient safety.

When faced with the difficult prospect of changing one’s normal style of living, the major factors to consider are age, interests, finances, and of course, health issues and concerns.