LUGPA 2026 Global Prostate Cancer Congress Enduring Program-Session 4

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The transcript captures a closing conference session led by Scott Selinger (LUGPA president) reviewing key 2025 advocacy outcomes and 2026 priorities for urology groups. Major federal wins include a 2.5% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) bump and extension of telehealth flexibilities (including audio-only) through January 2026, though long-term telehealth policy remains uncertain. The panel stresses ongoing efforts around in-office dispensing, limiting 340B program abuses, and achieving site-neutral payment so hospitals aren’t paid more for identical services.<br /><br />Speakers highlight widening gaps between medical inflation and physician payments, and emphasize that effective advocacy requires political contributions and consistent presence in Washington. They describe insurer consolidation (including PBMs and specialty pharmacies) as increasingly steering care and restricting where prescriptions are filled.<br /><br />Policy updates include MPFS technical changes that shift reimbursement (office E&M up, some facility-based/procedural components down) and multiple coding/payment changes: bundled payment for single-use cystoscopes/ureteroscopes, new/updated codes affecting BPH and prostate treatments, and notable radiation cuts. Quality reporting is evolving from traditional MIPS toward specialty-focused MVP pathways, though reporting remains complex.<br /><br />Pharmacy updates cover denosumab biosimilars, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Part B inflation rebates, and Part D “maximum fair price” negotiations—especially upcoming implications for Xtandi in 2027 (cash-flow delays and added admin work for dispensing pharmacies). The session ends with Q&A focused on engaging younger physicians in advocacy and skepticism about MIPS’ value.

Keywords

LUGPA advocacy

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule 2025

telehealth flexibilities extension

site-neutral payment policy

340B program reform

in-office dispensing

insurer consolidation PBMs specialty pharmacies

MIPS to MVP quality reporting

Inflation Reduction Act Part D maximum fair price Xtandi 2027