05/02/2011
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Biomedix EMR
I was wondering what people's experience has been with Biomedix EMR. I am about to take the plunge, and my main concern is to decrease the amount of time it takes me to chart, bill, send referral letters, etc.
Laura R Lefkowitz, DPM, Beverly Hills, CA
04/21/2011
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Pecos Registration
Has anyone used a good service for PECOS registration? I sent in the paper forms with the documentation back in October and have been unable to get any information on where my application is in this process. I have had my Medicare number for 30+ years and have been dispensing DME with the proper registration for years. I would like to hire a service now to shepherd my application for PECOS registration, since now, I am completely frustrated with this process. It's time to get someone who has more patience than me to figure out this Byzantine process.
Richard Rees, DPM, Bellaire, TX
04/20/2011
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Cryoprobe
I am considering switching from Histofreezer to Cryoprobe, which uses liquid N2O, for treatment of warts. The salesman touts eradication in an average of two treatments. It is also much colder than Histofreezer at –127F. I would like to know what my colleagues’ experiences have been with this treatment. Is it worth the investment (approx 2k plus, for the device)?
Mark Aldrich, DPM, Antigo, WI
04/18/2011
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
RE: PMLexus Exam Prep
I have 25 years of experience as a podiatrist and plan to take the PMLexus exam for licensure in other states. I would appreciate any recommendations for prep courses to get ready either online or at an actual seminar. I’m trying to get the most bang for my buck.
James Petko, DPM, Falls Church, VA
11/29/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Lasers for Onychomycotic Nails
With all the buzz about laser treatment for mycotic toenails, can anyone comment on this subject, including success rates and techniques for some of the different lasers that have been purchased.
Jack Ressler DPM, Lauderhill, FL
11/27/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Source for Collagen Injection
Where can I order collagen for injection into the foot?
Nelson William Worden, DPM, Mishawaka, IN
01/28/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Dox and EMR
What experiences have PM News readers had with Dox Podiatry as far as implementation of EMR and/or assimilation with billing software? Any responses would be appreciated.
Stephen Kinard, DPM, Rocky Mount, NC
01/27/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Letting DEA Registration Lapse
I have been disabled for a few years and it has become difficult, financially, to keep all of my licenses, professional organizations, etc. active as I would like to do. When I received the tri-annual registration for my DEA number, the $550 seemed quite extravagant for something that I wouldn't be using. I am tempted to allow it to lapse and re-obtain it, if and when I am able to practice again. Has anyone else faced this situation and have they had any difficulties in re-obtaining the DEA registration?
Name Withheld
01/26/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Five Finger Shoes
Has anyone had any experience with "Five Finger Shoes"?
Neil Scheffler, DPM, Baltimore, MD
01/21/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Ingenix Chart Review
I recently received a letter from Ingenix. They appear to be working for HealthNet, Americhoice, EverCare and/or Secure Horizons and are now requesting medical records for a "risk adjustment chart review." Has anyone heard about this, and why are they randomly engaged in review of medical records? The letter also states that "Enterprise Consulting Solutions, Inc. (ECS) has been engaged as the vendor to review medical records selected as part of this chart review. We have already been asked to fax over records and patient information sheets to this company. I feel a little like "big brother" is really watching me.
Al Kline, DPM, Corpus Christi, TX
01/20/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Practice Websites
We're interested in positive or negative experiences by podiatric physicians in setting up and maintaining a practice website in terms of cost, efficiency, and visibility on search engines, etc.
Mark K. Johnson DPM, West Plains, MO
01/19/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: CaerVision and Patient Education DVDs
What experiences do PM News readers have with CaerVision? What other patient educational DVDs in podiatry are recommended?
Gary Friedlander, DPM, Phoenix, AZ
01/18/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Limitation of Privileges
On reapplying for privileges for a local hospital, I was informed that JCAHO said that they wanted documentation on my "competency," i.e., having done certain procedures within the last 8 years. Has anyone else encountered this? What recourse do I have if I get denied privileges?
James Breedlove, DPM, San Luis Obispo, CA
01/14/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Surgical Centers as an Investment
Is it still a good idea to invest in surgical centers or have I “missed the boat?” Have lower reimbursements, higher deductibles, laws against self-referral, and Obama-care made this a future investment folly?
John Moglia, DPM, Berkeley Hts, NJ
01/13/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Surgical Equipment Repair
Does anyone have any recommendations for a company that repairs Stryker and Ergo nitrogen powered surgical equipment (K-wire drivers, saws, etc.)?
Marc Goldberg, DPM, Olney, MD
01/12/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Laser Repair
I have a Hi-Tech C02 laser that needs service. The laser was purchased in 1988 from Gyne-Tech Instrument Corp. Burbank CA. They are no longer in business and have no forwarding number/address. Does anyone have recommendations on who can service this laser?
Douglas Robinson, DPM, Campbell, CA
01/11/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: AAPS
I've recently been asked to join the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons. Does anyone have any experience with this organization?
Stanton C. Southward, DPM, Colorado Springs, CO
01/01/2010
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Billing Services
My local medical billing corporation has gone out of business. They were the only game in town. If anyone has experience with other companies around the country, with qualities such as integrity, dealing with Medicare/Medicaid, going to bat for your claim, reasonable prices, etc., I would really appreciate your experiences to help me change over.
Kellen Raid, DPM, San Francisco, CA
12/29/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Peak Practice
Does anyone have any experience with Peak Practice? We currently use integrated Office Hours/Medisoft/Medinotes. We have an outside billing company. Any input would be helpful.
Chris Browning, DPM, Nederland, TX
11/18/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Website for Wide Shoes
I have a patient with a size 9 4E cavus foor with a high instep. Is there a specific website that has hard-to-fit shoes?
Joel Morse, DPM, Washington, DC
08/25/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Income Per Patient
Thank you for exposing me to the Meet the Master’s series by Dr. Ribotsky. I just spent a few hours listening to the lectures this weekend while I was fishing, and I must say what a great way of gaining knowledge. There was one item discussed by Dr. Guiliana last week that I would like to query my fellow colleagues on PM News. Dr. Guiliana said that the average income per patient seen over the year should be about $90.
I asked my wife (who runs my office) what our income per patient was. She took total deposits over the past twelve months and divided it by total number of encounters and the result was just under $64 dollars. Can I ask the other readers of PM News to share what their numbers are and give suggestions what I can do to reach the $90/per patient encounter.
Michael Cohen, DPM, Sarasota, FL
Editor's note: To hear the interview of Dr. Guilana and the otrher masters, click here To register for the Podiatric Success series, click here. This week's guest (Tuesday night at 9 PM (EST) is Allen Jacobs, DPM.
08/18/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: CT Scan with Air Contrast
Does anyone ever order a CT scan with air contrast? Is this a valuable tool, or is a basic CT scan just as good? Most radiologists in my area do not know what I am talking about when I approach them about it? I was advised by a very good ankle surgeon to consider ordering the CT scan with air contrast.
Lou Nordeen, DPM, Mechanicsville, VA
08/15/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Waiting Room Solutions EMR Software?
I have just been detailed by an Internet-based EMR/practice management company called Waiting Room Solutions. This is a CCHIT-certified outfit. It is primarily MD-based at present, but podiatry could easily be adjusted to orthopedic templates. Does anybody have any experience with this company? What other companies can you recommend?
Wes Daniel, DPM, Gainesville, GA
08/14/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Referral Fees Under Stark Law
If a patient were referred to me for a non-covered procedure, would the Stark Law still apply and forbid a referral fee paid by me to a referring podiatrist? I am of the opinion the law would still apply, but in this case, a group of us is having a disagreement. Does anyone know for certain?
Name Withheld
Editor’s comment: PM News does provide legal advice. While the Stark laws affects only government-run programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, accepting a referral fee is always problematic. Under most state laws, it is both illegal and a professional misconduct violation. In short, don’t ever consider any referral fee without consulting a healthcare attorney in your state.
Additionally, it is a violation of the APMA Code of Ethics:
BE2.11 The podiatrist neither accepts nor offers commissions in any form or manner on fees for professional services, referrals, consultations, pathology services, radiology services, prescriptions, or other services or article supplied to patients.
08/13/2009
QUERIES - (NON-CLINICAL)
Query: Care Credit
Does anyone have experiences they would like to share utilizing Care Credit (GE Money Bank) as a payment service in private practice?
Bruce Pinker, DPM, Pomona, NY
