5
Questions…
Dr. Austenfeld: AACU has a clear mission to support urologist's
ability to practice good medicine by preserving their reimbursement and limiting undue regulation and liability.
With AACU Member Mark Austenfeld, MD
AACU President-Elect
What do you believe to be the biggest health policy challenge
Question 1: Why did you become a member
Dr. Austenfeld: I joined the AACU nearly 20
years ago to become more involved in health
policy. Then, like now, it seemed with each year
there were more and more pressures on urologists to work longer hours and see more patients
to preserve our practices and way of living. In
spite of our hard work, regulations continue
to expand while reimbursement shrinks! Now
more than ever we need to stay involved and stick together.
Dr. Austenfeld: I joined shortly after I started practice in 1989.
The AACU website offers many
features, including:
Dr. Austenfeld: Falling reimbursement. This continues to force
some urologists to go out of business or change their practice model. Many are choosing to be employed or to join large groups to
survive. I'm concerned the solo urologist or those in small groups
may become a thing of the past, and this could create worsening
urology access for patients in small communities.
Dr. Austenfeld: Medicine has become an enormous business with
a complexity of rules and regulations. Our ability to use our years
of training to take care of people also depends on our ability to
behalf of our patients. Advocacy is the answer. Stay involved and
informed!
Visit the AACU website
today at www.aacuweb.org!
Members Only Section — Access the searchable membership directory and pay dues online.
Government Affairs — Monitor federal and state legislation impor-
patients and practice.
AACU News — Catch up on organizational information, as well as
the latest on issues that affect the practice of urology.
tus. Refer prospective members to join online.
UROPAC — Link to the UROPAC website where you can contribute
to one of the most successful medical specialty political action committee.
Meeting Registration & Information — Register online for the spring
Joint Advocacy Conference and fall State Advocacy Conference.