RE: Discontinuing Diabetic Shoe Program
From: Neil H Hecht, DPM
After more than 15 years, I have suspended my optional involvement with the diabetic therapeutic shoe program. The inordinate paperwork and inappropriate need for PMD notes regarding pedal pathology has encouraged this decision. I am aware that APMA is working on a legislation to reverse this arbitrary requirement. My patients are not happy either. However, if I am unable to comply with the legal requirements of the government, I would be uncomfortable in the face of any potential audit.
My questions for the readership are: how many other podiatrists have suspended their program, and if not, how are they adequately complying with the current requirements? My referring MDs refer their patients to me because they don’t evaluate and treat podiatric pathology, nor do they make specific notes regarding deformities or footwear needs. I believe, rightly, that the MD defers these evaluations to “us”. Therefore, my compliance with Medicare diabetic shoe paperwork requirements is impossible.
Neil H Hecht, DPM, Tarzana, CA, drhecht@drneilhecht.com
