Urology ·
National study finds hematuria evaluation infrequent and unequal; fee schedule trims same-day visit pay; laser frequency does not change HoLEP time
Listen to this post
read by AI voices · all episodesTHE SHORT READ
A prospective study of 16,015 patients in The Journal of Urology found that hematuria evaluation was infrequent and inequitable, with women less likely than men to undergo cystoscopy. A randomized trial in the Journal of Endourology found that holmium laser frequency settings did not change operative times in prostate enucleation.
The final 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule cut the conversion factor 2.31% and trimmed pay for same-day visits with 0-day procedures, and a Journal of Endourology trial found holmium laser frequency did not change prostate enucleation operative times.
THE DETAILS
- Research Nov 3, 2026A prospective cohort study in The Journal of Urology using All of Us, a national multicenter database, found that 3,491 of 16,015 patients with hematuria were evaluated with cystoscopy or imaging, an overall cumulative incidence of 0.43. Women had a lower cumulative incidence of cystoscopy than men for microscopic hematuria (0.056 versus 0.12; adjusted hazard ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.66). The authors called evaluation infrequent and inequitable and said interventions to improve referral and guideline adherence are needed.Sources: The Journal of Urology, PubMed
- Payment Nov 4, 2026The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said that when an office or outpatient visit is billed the same day as a 0-day global procedure, the most expensive service will be paid at 100% and the others at 80%, rather than 50% as proposed. The proposal had also covered 10- and 90-day global procedures. CMS set the nonqualifying alternative payment model conversion factor at $32.63, a projected decrease of $0.77, or 2.31%, and the qualifying conversion factor at $32.95, down 1.83%. The rule takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.Sources: CMS, Medical Economics
- Research Nov 2, 2026In a randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Endourology, patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate were assigned to 2 J at 40, 50 or 60 Hz. Energy use was significantly higher at higher frequency settings (P < .001), but the authors reported no significant difference in operative times or postoperative complications, with no differences in time to symptom resolution or emergency visits.Sources: Journal of Endourology, PubMed
The weekly innovation roundup for urology, published every Sunday for the week before; every item links to its sources. Latest urology news · All specialties