Deepak A. Kapoor, MD, FACS, presented “2019 Economic Outlook for Urology in the United States” during the 29th Annual International Prostate Cancer Update on January 26, 2019 in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
How to cite: Kapoor, Deepak A. “2019 Economic Outlook for Urology in the United States” January 26, 2019. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/3dbiopsy-transperineal-mapping-biopsy-in-2019/
2019 Economic Outlook for Urology in the United States – Summary:
Deepak A. Kapoor, MD, FACS, discusses the history of efforts in the United States to transition healthcare toward a structure of value-based care. He then outlines major 2019 regulatory initiatives and how they will impact healthcare payments and the administrative burden for urologists.
Abstract:
It has been challenging for urologists in the United States, as well as physicians in general, to navigate rapidly changing healthcare policies. The passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 initiated a directive to move the structure of healthcare toward value-based care. Unfortunately, there have been no substantial actions implemented to integrate that idea into real-life practices.
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 set forth a timeline that would realize this shift into value-based care. However, physicians have yet to see these changes take place. Perhaps this is due to a lack of stability related to changes in leadership. Since 2015, there have been 6 separate Secretaries of Health and Human Services (HHS). The incumbent HHS Secretary, Alex Azar, has been clear in his intentions to transition 75% of Medicare payments away from fee-for-service to value-based-care models within the next two years.
It is important to realize that while lawmakers in Congress must introduce and pass legislation, federal agencies, under the control of the executive branch, promulgate regulations. Once these federal agencies publish a regulation that does not have a contravening statute, it carries the binding force of the law.
This presentation explains the impact of major regulation initiatives from healthcare leadership in 2019. These initiatives include Stark Law reform, a Medicare Part B demonstration project, updates to the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) covered procedure list and payments, as well as the the CY 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule and how it specifically changes documentation, Current Procedural Terminology coding, and payment changes for urologists.
Due to these changes, independent physician practices are in a unique position to thrive and form novel collaborative relationships with institutional and academic practitioners.
About the International Prostate Cancer Update
The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU) is an annual, multi-day CME conference focused on prostate cancer treatment updates. The conference’s faculty consists of international experts, and the event caters to urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals. Topics encompass prostate cancer management, from diagnosis to treating advanced and metastatic disease. Dr. Kapoor presented this lecture during the 29th IPCU in 2019. Please visit this page in order to learn more about future IPCU meetings.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deepak A. Kapoor, MD, is Chairman and CEO of Integrated Medical Professionals, PLLC (IMP), and Clinical Professor of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Under his leadership, IMP has grown to the largest practice of its kind in the US, and is regarded as a national leader in quality management, utilization review, compliance processes, and the development of coordinated clinical pathways.
Dr. Kapoor is President of Advanced Urology Centers of New York, Chairman of Health Policy and Past President of LUGPA, Chairman of SCRUBS RRG, a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of Allied Urological Services, and Founder and Past-President of the Integrated Medical Foundation. He has also served as a Director of UroPAC.
Dr. Kapoor is a Fellow of the American College of Physician Executives and has published and lectured extensively on clinical and business medical issues. He is the 2014 recipient of the Russell W. Lavengood Distinguished Service Award, as well as the 2011 Ambrose-Reed Socioeconomic Essay Award. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Kapoor continues an active clinical practice and is consistently ranked as a Top Doctor in New York.
