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It's clear that a two-track system of urology is already in place.

People who pay more of their own costs up front... make choices based on cost as well as quality.

Atlanta-The population of patients being treated with a penile prosthesis for erectile dysfunction is evolving, with the average patient now being older and having more medical comorbidities compared with less than 20 years ago, according to the results of a nationwide epidemiologic study reported at the annual AUA meeting here.

The population of patients being treated with a penile prosthesisfor erectile dysfunction is evolving, with the average patient nowbeing older and having more medical comorbidities compared withless than 20 years ago, according to the results of a nationwideepidemiologic study reported by University of Michigan urologists.

AUA has established the Department of Reimbursement and RegulatoryAffairs to more effectively target resources and advocacy effortsfor its members. Nancy K. Edwards, currently AUA reimbursementsystems project manager, will become its director.

As all practicing urologists know, shrinking reimbursement forurologic services has become the norm. But current market forcesactually favor the specialty, and urologists can take control oftheir financial future - as long as they are willing to takea handful of forward-thinking steps.

Payers have specific forms, phone numbers, and/or addresses thatmust be used for appeals

Washington--When 2006 began, there was somewhat of a mess in Washington involving Medicare reimbursement, and that was especially true for urologists. At press time, some of those issues were being resolved, but, even so, there will likely be fallout that will at least inconvenience urologists and their staffs.

How do I charge for a patient sent from a nursing home for a consult who, upon evaluation, required a cystoscopy?

I will leave the reimbursement issues to the expert, Ray Painter, MD, but I would like to focus on overhead and practice efficiency.

Laserscope, San Jose, CA, has announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has published a technical revision to the 2006 Medicare physician few schedule.

If you perform a diagnostic retrograde (52005) and the insertion of a stent (52332) at the same setting, each should be billed separately.

The CCI edits reflect the way the Medicare computer has been programmed and the way you will be paid when you submit your claim.

Two significant trends are having an impact on most urology practices today. First, most practices, including my own, are experiencing a decrease in reimbursement and rising overhead expenses. This ultimately translates to a decrease in net income.

A new estimate shows that chronic prostatitis, especially nonbacterial prostatitis, is common in American men and that most diagnosis and treatment takes place in the primary care setting.

Q I read the article about "group shared appointments" in the Aug. 1, 2005, issue of Urology Times. Are there specific billing, coding, and documentation issues associated with this type of appointment?

San Antonio--A new estimate shows that chronic prostatitis, especially nonbacterial prostatitis, is common in American men, and that most diagnosis and treatment takes place in primary care.

Coding for cystourethroscopy

This year, you have a unique opportunity to improve your income by providing more services in the office.

Washington--Federal officials, after considering arguments and concerns presented by urologists and others, have decided to continue coverage for nearly 100 procedures performed in ambulatory surgical centers, including three urologic procedures, instead of removing them from the approved list as had been previously proposed.

Istanbul, Turkey--Biofeedback physical therapy and pelvic floor re-education appear to offer symptomatic improvement in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome type III, Dutch researchers say. The techniques appear to work by improving relaxation and demonstrating proper use of pelvic floor muscles.

San Francisco--Environmental factors have emerged as potential contributors to genetic anomalies affecting male genitalia, according to studies reported at the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Urology annual meeting.

San Francisco--Environmental factors have emerged as potential contributors to genetic anomalies affecting male genitalia, according to studies reported at the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Urology annual meeting.

Washington—Officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have recommended that several urologic procedures be ineligible for reimbursement if they are performed in ambulatory surgical centers.

Physical therapy, perineural injections may provide relief without surgery, experts say

Will leuprolide acetate (Lupron) reimbursement fall by 20% in 2005? When will it take place? And what will the reimbursement be?

The year 2005 will portend a significant decrease in income for nearly every American urologist. Most will be impacted by Medicare's slashing the reimbursement for LHRH agonists and certain other drugs administered in the office. Solo practitioners can anticipate annual losses of income in the thousands of dollars, and larger group practices can expect over a $1 million shortfall this year.

Creating a fully automated office costs a significant amount of money and required a lot of time and hard work. For our practice, it was worth it.

Raritan, NJ-The FDA has approved a once-a-day liquid formulation of the fluoroquinone antibiotic levofloxacin (Levaquin), from Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. Levofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of a number of infections, including complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, chronic bacterial prostatitis, and acute pyelonephritis.

San Diego--Searching for ways to recoup lost revenue from outpatient prostate cancer therapy, urologists have turned to a variety of non-traditional income producers, ranging from CT scanning to processing of biopsy specimens.