01/01/2025
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Alternatives for Gordon Products
There are a number of in-office products that we used to buy from Gordon labs. One is: Gordobalm lotion and another was Gordon’s boro-packs. Do any of you know of any other companies that make similar products?
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY
05/08/2015
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL)
RE: Legitimacy of Distinguished Master Consultant in Podiatric Surgery
Has anyone heard of a certificate as a Distinguished Master Consultant in Podiatric Surgery? I received a letter from the National Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC saying that I've been selected. Is this legitimate? The letter was signed by an Arthur Windsor, MD.
Bret Ribotsky, DPM, Boca Raton, FL
Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. According to the website ripoffreport.com, a firm operating from this office has been sending similar letters to physicians. A Google search finds no record of an Arthur Windsor, MD. Readers are advised to scrutinize any unsoliticed honors received in the mail, particularly if they require a "registration fee."
01/19/2015
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Medical Office Plans
I will be building a new medical office for two physicians with room for growth. Does anyone have tips, know of a reference, or have floorplans that they would be willing to share?
Howard Gale, DPM, Statesboro, GA
10/16/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Nursing Home Billing Service
Soon, I will be seeing patients as a contract physician in a long-term facility for the hospital I am on staff at. I will need to do my own billing outside of my current office where I work as an associate. Can anyone recommend a user-friendly online billing service that is not too expensive, so that I can do my own billing at home?
Laura Shea, DPM, Chicago, IL.
09/16/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Pay Parity for Podiatrists
Practicing here in Texas for 32 years, I have raised the following question a billion times: why don't we as podiatrists get paid the same for CPT codes as foot and ankle orthopedists? If we did, then we would have this profession all to ourselves. For their first initial consult, orthopedic surgeons charge $1,590 just to talk to a patient (which is usually done by a PA) and then $640 for follow-up visits. Patients have brought their superbills to me, so I know I'm not hallucinating. Why don't we get the same payment? Can anyone out there explain this to me?
Judith Rubin, DPM, Cypress, TX
09/01/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Recommendations for Selling a Practice in 2017
I am planning on retiring in 2017, unless our emerging healthcare system forces me out sooner. Also, I have yet to convert to EHR, and have no intentions of doing so. What recommendations would you have to maintain the viability of my practice for sale at that point in time? Or, should I assume that by that time I will likely just have to notify my patients of my intentions and lock the door behind me?
Name Withheld
Editor's comment: Since you have the luxury of not being forced to sell your practice due to health reasons, it seems a shame to pass up on the "sweat equitity" you have put into the practice. One idea to consider is to bring in an associate who can eventually buy the practice. Another option is to find a large group practice to join and use your practice as a satellite office.
08/18/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Heat Moldable Plastizote Diabetic Insoles
Could any of my colleagues recommend a good quality diabetic insole that truly heat molds? We have used a number of different companies and my staff says that they barely make any imprint after heated. Perhaps, our technique is the problem. If anyone has good success with this, please help us.
Jane E. Graebner, DPM, Delaware, OH
07/30/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Sodium Hydroxide 10% Expiration
I have recently been told by our clinical pharmacist about a concern/problem with using sodium hydroxide 10% beyond the 24 hour usage date (BUD). “Based on USP compounding standards, published scientific literature should be referenced regarding stability and beyond-use dating of the prepared compounded product. Two local compounding pharmacies state there is no referenced stability data for compounded sodium hydroxide 10% solution, and therefore, must assign a 24 hour expiration date.”
Based on this information, I have been told we will be unable to use sodium hydroxide for nail ablation procedures, which I find superior to phenolic acid (Unless we obtained a supply of NaOH daily which is logistically not possible). I am inquiring if anyone else has recently heard of this, and what if any solutions/options are available.
Richard Frost, DPM, Spokane, WA
07/26/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Alternative for Benzocaine Allergy
I have a patient who informed me that he is allergic to benzocaine which is present in Oragel (topical anesthetic for gums, etc.) He is currently scheduled for a procedure with which I would normally use lidocaine with epi. I understand that benzocaine is a para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). While they both end in "caine" I am under the impression they are structurally different, and an allergy to the benzocaine does not prevent me from using lidocaine. Am I correct? Are any precautions necessary?
Jeffrey Kass, DPM Forest Hills, NY
07/07/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: Actual Use of an AED in a Podiatry Office
Of the 15 percent of podiatrists who report that they have automated external defibrillators in their offices, have any of you actually used them to save a patient's life?
Bob Levoy, Great Neck, NY
07/05/2014
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
RE: Beware Of a New Cause for Patient Non-Adherence
From: Elliot Udell, DPM
The new Affordable Health Care Act insurance plans are throwing us a new hurdle; increased patient non-adherence. Two weeks ago, a middle-aged, type one diabetic patient presented with an abcess in his left third toe. I did an incision and drainage, cultured the exudate, and then placed him on oral antibiotics. He missed his follow-up visit, and when we called him, his response was that his toe feels better and he cannot afford another seventy dollar co-payment as mandated by his insurance policy. I documented the conversation and told him that I would not charge him for any follow-up visits.
This patient was upfront with me as to his reasons for canceling. I suspect that all of us will encounter other patients with similar serious conditions, who will not follow up because of huge co-payments. We should all be aware of this and set up a system for flagging patients who miss follow-up visits and then inquire about and address their financial issues, should they be the reasons for the cancellations.
11/11/2013
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: VST Myodynamic Device
I was recently approached by the company that makes the VST Myodynamic device regarding a “new” treatment for neuropathy consisting of a PT nerve block followed by one hour on the VST machine, twice a week for 6 weeks. After doing some research on this treatment, which seems promising mainly in the pain management arena, I am curious to know what experience anyone has had with this treatment for neuropathy and what your results have been. I would also be interested to know people’s opinions on billing these nerve blocks so frequently.
Marco Antonio Vargas, DPM, Sugar Land, TX
07/20/2009
QUERIES NON-CLINICAL
Query: PQRI and E-Prescribing
I am curious regarding the number of podiatrists who have successfully incorporated one or both of these measures into their practices in order to obtain the CMS promised 2% bonus for each of these measures successfully accomplished.
Does anyone have a simplified manner in which they have modified their superbills or other communication forms in order to effect these changes? I am finding this very difficult.
Neil H Hecht, DPM, Sherman Oaks, CA, drhecht@sbcglobal.net
