Health policy can be a very complex area for young urologists. However, the health policy division of the AUA is made up of several departments that essentially protect the interest of urology health care professionals. It is run by urologists for urologists. Below is a list of resources that may be helpful in understanding this area as it relates to both your professional and personal life.
AUA Public Policy Division
- Reimbursement and Regulation
- Practice Management Products
- Quality
- Government Relations and Advocacy
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
Health Policy Terms
| CPT | common procedural terminology |
| ICD-9 (ICD-10) | 9 (ICD-10) – diagnostic as |
| RVU | relative international units |
| RUC | relative unit update committee (AMA) |
| MAC | Medicare administrative contractor (local Medicare carrier) |
| JAC | joint advocacy conference AUA & A ACU |
| Med PAC | Medicare payment advisory commission |
| ACO | accountable care organization |
| PQRS | physician quality reporting system |
| Medicare part A | hospital, SNF, hospice coverage |
| Medicare part B | physician services, lab, imaging services, and office medications |
| Medicare part C | proper ties to Medicare advantage plans (HMO) |
| Medicare part D | drug coverage |
| UROPAC | Urology Specialty Political Action Committee. The only political action committee in urology |
Additional Resources
- Health Policy Update Presentation – Dr. Mark T. Edney
- Annual Urology Joint Advocacy Conference
- Gallagher Health Policy Scholarship
- Public Policy & Practice Support Committees
- Health Policy and Government Relations and Advocacy News Briefs
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Department of Health and Human Services
- American Association of Clinical Urologists (AACU)