Article
ACA rollout, urologist shortage dominate health policy discussion
At this year’s AUA annual meeting, expect much discussion in and away from the convention center to focus on what the ACA means to urologists, the work force shortage, and scope of practice issues.
This article is part of the State of Urology 2013
The rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its provisions are rapidly changing the face of medicine, and at the same time, the makeup of the AUA annual meeting program. At this year’s meeting, expect much discussion in and away from the convention center to focus on what the ACA means to urologists, the work force shortage, and scope of practice issues.
“As always, programs on physician ownership of services (diagnostic radiology, in-house pathology, and radiation oncology services) are very important, as is navigating the changing reimbursement paradigm of ACA,” said Neal D. Shore, MD, of the Carolina Urologic Research Center, Myrtle Beach, SC.
Sessions that examine physician reimbursement models and their impact on subspecialization within groups are not to be missed, Dr. Shore added.
Also, two related issues-the looming urologist shortage and scope of practice among advanced practice providers-will garner significant attention at this year’s meeting, Howard M. Snyder, III, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, pointed out.
“Individuals who are not preparing their practice for the work force problems are ignoring a major coming crisis,” Dr. Snyder warned.UT
