LUGPA

Momentum is building for Medicare physician payment reform. The House Ways & Means Committee recently unanimously advanced the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 8163)—a significant step forward in addressing longstanding challenges with the Medicare physician payment system and a top advocacy priority for LUGPA. For years, physicians have faced declining reimbursement rates that fail to keep pace with inflation, creating financial uncertainty for independent practices and threatening patient access to community-based specialty care. H.R. 8163 would help modernize the payment system by providing greater reimbursement stability and ensuring physician payments better reflect the rising costs of delivering high-quality care. LUGPA continues to work alongside policymakers and coalition partners to advance meaningful reforms that support independent urology practices, reduce barriers to care, and protect access for Medicare beneficiaries. This photo shows LUPGA members meeting with Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) in DC this May. Learn more about this important legislative milestone and other federal and state advocacy efforts in the July LUGPA Advocacy Update: https://lnkd.in/eATipxNV #LUGPA #Advocacy #HealthPolicy #Medicare #PhysicianPayment #Urology #IndependentMedicine #PatientAccess

Strong leadership helps protect and strengthen independent urology. LUGPA’s Executive Leadership Program is a free, 12-month leadership development course created specifically for physicians and administrators in independent urology group practices. Designed for a small, collaborative cohort, the program helps participants strengthen core leadership skills, build business and communication capabilities, and expand their professional network in a collegial setting. With mentorship from Dr. David Albala and David Carpenter, the curriculum covers essential topics including communication strategies, finance, team development, negotiation, conflict resolution, quality improvement, and decision-making. For LUGPA members looking to grow as leaders and lead others more effectively, this program offers a practical, high-value opportunity to invest in the future of physician-led care. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gSQFSJxh #LUGPA #IndependentUrology #LeadershipDevelopment 

Now available on demand ▶️ Emerging real-world evidence is helping shape treatment decisions in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). Join expert faculty as they review PSA90, time to PSA response, and the potential role of these metrics in assessing treatment effectiveness earlier. Access the program now: https://bit.ly/4eOXrxu Featured speakers: Gordon Brown, MD Benjamin Lowentritt, MD Jason Hafron, MD In collaboration with: LUGPA #ProstateCancer #GUOncology #Urology #MedicalEducation #HCPEducation

The July LUGPA Advocacy Update is now available, highlighting the latest federal and state policy developments affecting independent urology practices and the patients they serve. This month's update covers: 🔹 Progress on Medicare physician payment reform, including advancement of the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 8163) 🔹 CMS and regulatory developments impacting physician practices 🔹 Drug pricing and 340B policy updates 🔹 Prior authorization reform and efforts to improve patient access to care 🔹 Healthcare transparency and consolidation proposals 🔹 State advocacy updates, including victories protecting independent physician practices and ongoing biomarker testing legislation 🔹 Coalition advocacy focused on reducing administrative burden and preserving access to specialty care As policymakers continue to debate the future of physician reimbursement, healthcare transparency, and practice sustainability, LUGPA remains committed to advocating for policies that strengthen physician-led care, reduce unnecessary administrative barriers, and preserve patient access to high-quality, community-based urologic care. Read the full July Advocacy Update here:  https://lnkd.in/eATipxNV

LUGPA is excited to share an important update for LUGPA members planning ahead for 2027. We are evolving from two Regional Meetings to one comprehensive LUGPA Midyear Meeting. This new format is designed to bring more of what members value into one premier summer event, with stronger educational programming, broader operational insight, expert-led discussion, and deeper opportunities to connect across independent urology. Please save the date for the inaugural LUGPA Midyear Meeting, taking place June 10–12, 2027, at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park in Chicago. By bringing the community together in one centralized setting, LUGPA can deliver a more robust experience while also respecting members’ time and clinical schedules. We look forward to creating a meeting that supports meaningful learning, practical collaboration, and stronger peer connection for independent urology. Learn more: #LUGPA #LUGPAMidyear #IndependentUrology #UrologyLeadership #MedicalMeetings

Volume 25, Issue 2 of Reviews in Urology is now live!   This issue features two CME-accredited articles developed with speakers from the Prostate Cancer Academy, along with the latest on PSMA PET imaging, precision medicine in prostate cancer, AI-powered prognostic tools, evolving bladder cancer treatment strategies, and much more.   Read the full issue here: https://bit.ly/3SLlZPj   Specialty Networks, a Cardinal Health company and LUGPA

For LUGPA members, LUGPA’s Virtual Crossfire & CME Series with Medlive continues to bring practical, expert-led education to the realities of independent urology. In Optimizing Intravesical Gene Therapy in BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC, the conversation goes beyond clinical evidence to focus on what matters inside a practice: implementation, storage and preparation, procedure-day workflow, reimbursement, patient selection, counseling, symptom management, and treatment adherence. As treatment options continue to evolve, LUGPA remains focused on helping physician-led practices translate innovation into patient access with education that is clinically relevant, operationally useful, and grounded in real-world care delivery. Access the program ondemand: https://lnkd.in/eRaV3xv9   #LUGPA #Medlive #CME #NMIBC #BladderCancer #IndependentUrology

Dr. Mary-Ellen Taplin’s personal story which was featured in PEOPLE Magazine | PEOPLE.com is a powerful reminder of why advancing prostate cancer care matters. Through our partnership with Medlive - A PlatformQ Health Brand, you can hear from Dr. Mary-Ellen in an on-demand discussion exploring the expanding role of ARPIs across the prostate cancer continuum. Register here to watch here: https://bit.ly/4gp8Hlc And read the feature in People Magazine here: https://lnkd.in/eZSu5S8N

Independent urology practices are being asked to do more with less. Margins are tight, staff capacity is stretched, and patient access can suffer when calls, referrals, prior authorizations, and billing workflows slow down. That is why LUGPA’s Innovation Theater program, Tight Margins, Staff Burnout, Lost Patients: How AI Is Already Solving Urology’s Biggest Headaches, is such a timely conversation. On July 9 at 1 p.m. ET, LUGPA members will hear a practical discussion about where artificial intelligence is already helping practices reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency, and better support staff and patients. Jason Guagenti, Chief Operating Officer of Central Ohio Urology, will share what his group has tested in real operations, including what worked and what did not. Pete Shalek will add perspective on how to separate meaningful artificial intelligence solutions from vendor hype. Moderated by LUGPA Chief Executive Officer Celeste Kirschner, this program is built to help independent urology leaders focus on the right starting points, ask better vendor questions, and make smarter operational decisions. For practices looking for a more grounded view of artificial intelligence in urology, this session is designed to be practical, candid, and directly relevant to the challenges leaders are facing right now. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYmq2KJj #LUGPA #IndependentUrology #HealthcareAI #PracticeInnovation #PatientAccess

The management of BCG-unresponsive non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) continues to evolve. Hear expert urologists discuss how they incorporate intravesical gene therapy into practice, including treatment sequencing, dosing logistics, reinduction strategies, and considerations following updated NCCN recognition. 👉 Access the program today: https://bit.ly/4g9okx9 Featured speakers: Tom Jayram, MD Ravi Chauhan, MD, FACS Jason Hafron, MD In collaboration with: LUGPA #HCPEducation #NMIBC #BladderCancer #Urology #Oncology