UCR 310: AI in Urology Practice — HIPAA, Vendor Vetting, and Reimbursement Takeaways from the AUA Western Section

October 30, 2026

In this episode, Scott, Mark, and Dr. Ray Painter break down the AI discussion from the AUA Western Section meeting, where Mark updated attendees on Medicare changes and joined a panel on artificial intelligence in urology. Practices are already using ambient scribes, patient education tools, document consolidation, scheduling, and revenue cycle applications—but Mark cautions that standard consumer AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude are not HIPAA compliant, so practices need to confirm vendor compliance, business associate agreements, and contractual protections before any patient data goes in. AI is not a standard software purchase: it learns and drifts, so every implementation needs vetting up front and ongoing monitoring. The team also covers the AMA's work on CPT coding for AI, CMS's view of software as a different resource model than physician work, who carries liability when AI informs a clinical decision, and the patchwork of state regulation emerging while the federal government stays hands off. Mark and Ray raise the reimbursement concern directly: with CMS already applying an efficiency adjustment to work RVUs, separate payment for AI could end up reducing what physicians are paid for the services AI makes easier. The key takeaway: pick good partners, vet and monitor every AI tool, and keep both patient care and the business of the practice in view while policy catches up. Headed to LUGPA in Chicago? Join PRS for a happy hour on November 4.