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Even before the pandemic, violence against health care workers was escalating.

"Am I close to an answer? Yes, my inner being tells me it is time to initiate letting go," says Gopal H. Badlani, MD.

In this installment, Kevin Zorn, MD, FRCSC, FACS, highlights his disease-specific practice, BPH Canada, which he designates as a “one-stop shop” for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Proposed rule includes incorporation of controversial E/M code.

Congress has taken actions aimed at protecting arrangements in which hospitals and other entities provide bona fide mental health improvement, behavioral health improvement, or maintenance programs to physicians and other clinicians.

"The EOM may facilitate success for its oncology participants by reducing reporting burdens, simplifying requirements, and offering potentially large bonus payments for lowering costs," writes Robert A. Dowling, MD.

"Portfolio rebalancing is a necessary part of an effective investment strategy, and a routine check of your investments should be completed regularly to ensure they have not drifted too far from their intended percentage targets," writes Jeff Witz, CFP.

“Responsible application of AI is crucial, especially when the health and well being of people are at stake,” writes industry expert Manny Krakaris.

"Saving and investing a modest amount regularly and early in your life can have a huge impact on your ability to reach your financial goals," writes Jeff Witz, CFP.

In this episode, Janelle Bunce, PA-C, highlights the role that advanced practice providers can play in filling the gaps created by the growing workforce shortages in urology.

"There is nothing in the data to suggest any widespread abuse, improper inducements, or impropriety in the specialty. Nevertheless, urologists should be aware that this is an area of continued scrutiny by Congress and watchdogs," writes Robert A. Dowling, MD.

Last year, a single health care breach involved 2 million records, but in the first half of 2023, there were 5 health care breaches of at least 3 million records each.

Doctors and medical practices are mired in administrative tasks.

"Data have shown among surgeons in multiple specialties that a good chunk of people have pain; probably around 60% of people have pain that they associate with operating," says Kristin Chrouser, MD, MPH.

"A lingering question is whether the act is increasing patient knowledge about their physicians’ receipt of payments from the industry (or whether they care)," writes Robert A. Dowling, MD.

Options include rolling it over into your new employer’s plan or into an IRA.

In this installment, sisters Amy Pearlman, MD, and Michelle Pearlman, MD, highlight Prime Institute, the practice they co-founded in South Florida.

"The burden of preauthorization, reimbursements not keeping up with inflation, and consequently, our abilities to staff and maintain our offices and pay our employees at appropriate levels are also affecting our ability to care for patients," said urologist Ronald P. Kaufman Jr, MD.

In total, 77.8% of Black respondents, 72.7% of Asian respondents, 57.1% of Latino respondents, and 46.5% of White respondents indicated that the racial and ethnic diversity of residents at a program influenced their decision to preference signal or sub-internship with that program.

While practice ownership has declined among physicians of all ages, the sharpest drop occurred among doctors under age 45.

Dr. Vince has an interest in disparities in urologic care, specifically among patients with prostate cancer.

With healthcare data breaches approaching a boiling point, care providers need to adopt an approach that prioritizes operational continuity.

"CPT codes 50080 and 50081 describe the antegrade approach to stone removal requiring lithotripsy through a nephrostomy tract, with 50080 being reported for stones less than 2 cm in size in a single location, whereas 50081 would be reported for large or complex stones, stones in multiple locations, or stones in the ureter (such as in the example provided)," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

The rule includes a proposed unadjusted national average payment rate of US$21,376.53 for the device in 2024.

“Regardless of the size of the practice, medical scribes are a valuable resource for health care providers, helping to streamline workflow and coordinate patient care,” writes Brian Hudson.

When you add automation, your medical coding not only improves your margins but also plays a key role in improving patient care.

"Another thing is to customize your EHR with favorite orders and grouped orders, and these things can be standardized across a practice," says Sarah Hecht, MD.

Overall staffing levels were up “marginally,” suggesting some stabilization and return to levels from before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the American Medical Group Association.

Recent advances in technology make it possible to access and harness the vast amounts of clinical data EHRs have produced.