LUGPA HISTORY

Over the last several years, solo or smaller urology practices have consolidated into large integrated urology groups in many medium to large communities across the United States. Consolidation has been driven by today’s challenging market conditions. All urology practices, regardless of size, have experienced declining reimbursement, increased complexity of third party contracting, pressure for adoption of EMR systems, and an increasingly burdensome legislative and regulatory environment at both the state and federal levels.

Practice consolidation has allowed many urologists to combine resources to better meet the economic and administrative obstacles to successful practice today. Consolidation also has the potential to provide value for the health care consumer; large urology practices are able to monitor health care outcomes and seek out medical “best practice” in an era increasingly focused on medical quality and the cost-effective delivery of medical services.

For the past several years prior to 2008, representatives of many leading large urology groups met annually in Chicago each fall. As large groups have become more numerous—and as the difficulties facing the practicing urologist multiplied—physician leaders of large urology practices came to recognize the need for a formal association to help meet the challenges of the future. Hence, the LUGPA was formed.

Due to the size and the scope of services offered, large urology groups face distinct management challenges, as well as unique opportunities in the health care marketplace. The LUGPA was established to enhance communication between large groups, allowing for benchmarking of operations, development of new business opportunities, promotion of quality clinical outcomes, and enhanced advocacy in the legislative and regulatory arenas.