The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 14,000 Podiatrists Daily

January 02, 2013 #4,654 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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SGR Likely to Be Put on Hold for 2013

As of late Monday night, it appears that the Medicare Doc Fix will be extended for a year while maintaining the sustainable growth rate for another year.  This means that the proposed 26.5% mandated cut will not take place for 2013. We will report the final outcome in the next issue of PM News.  

Do It Yourselfers Need to Protect Their Feet: APMA President

Construction workers don’t wear high-heels – and not just because of the questionable fashion statement that might make. Professional builders know how important it is to protect their feet on the job, and you should do the same when undertaking your do-it-yourself home improvement and maintenance projects. “We’ve all watched neighbors mow the lawn in flip-flops and worried that they are risking injury,” says Joseph M. Caporusso, DPM, a podiatrist and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Dr. Joseph Caporusso

“Just as you equip yourself with the right tools for a DIY project, you need the right kind of footwear when working around your house.” Uncomfortable, ill-fitting shoes cause foot pain for nearly 78 percent of Americans, according to an APMA survey. What’s more, says Caporusso, improper footwear can lead to injury.

Source: News Leader [12/31/12]

IL Podiatrist Joins Hospital’s Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

Dr. Krista Nelson, a podiatrist recently added to the staff at Alton Memorial Hospital’s Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, thinks that treating foot wounds is more of a marathon instead of a sprint. That’s not an unlikely analogy for Nelson, who ran cross country and track during her high school and college years.

Dr. Krista Nelson

Nelson is a native of Northfield, MN, known mostly for the botched bank robbery that all but ended the careers of notorious outlaws Jesse and Frank James. Nelson then earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 2005, and her medical degree in podiatry from Des Moines University in 2009. She recently completed a residency at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis.

Source: Dave Whaley, The Telegraph [12/28/12]

MD Podiatrist Publishes Text for Diabetes

Dr. Neil Schleffler and New Book

Dr. Neil M. Schleffler has recently publish a text titled 21 Things You Need to Know About Diabetes and Your feet. This book is a convenient source for key tips and strategies for diabetic foot care, and is backed by the medical guidelines of the American Diabetes Association.

Query: Geriatric Child Abuse

I had a patient come to the office today with a fractured 5th metatarsal wanting to know if I knew the phone number of Child Protective Service to report her mother for child abuse. Evidently, the mother was talking to the daughter (my patient), and she wasn't listening, so the mother came across the room, pushed my patient and slammed a door on her foot fracturing the 5th metatarsal. The dilemma is that the mother is 92 years old and the patient is 64. Does anyone know of a geriatric child protective service?
 
Burton J. Katzen, DPM, Temple Hills, MD

Query: Is it Okay Not to Schedule Medicare Patients?

Is it legal to have clinic time that one devotes only to non-Medicare patients? Is it acceptable, as a participating provider with Medicare, to have some office time in which we do not appoint any Medicare patients, or does this run counter to any laws or regulations with Medicare?

Stephen Lasday, DPM, Bradenton, FL

Response: You have no legal obligation to see Medicare patients at all, even if you are a Medicare provider.

It is not uncommon for practices (of all specialties) to limit/restrict the number of new Medicare patients, types of procedures they are willing to perform on Medicare patients, and types of items they will dispense to their Medicare patients as DMEPOS suppliers. So, limiting hours that you will "open" for Medicare patients is not an issue from a legal or regulatory standpoint. NOTE: if you are a DMEPOS supplier, you are obligated to be available to dispense DME/supplies to your own patients within the hours posted at the entrance of your practice.

The choice to limit/restrict Medicare patients is yours to make. Choose wisely.

Harry Goldsmith, DPM, Cerritos, CA

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RE: Attesting After Switching EMR Systems (Chris Mullin, DPM)
From: Alan Bass, DPM

You can attest using both EHR programs. All you need to do is just run a report out of both and add the numbers up manually before you enter them into the CMS incentive program calculator. You do not need to wait for 3 months of use with your new system. You will just add the numbers up for 2012.
 
Alan Bass, DPM, Manalapan, NJ, abassdpm@optonline.net

RE: Requirement of Signed Orders in Nursing Homes (Stanford Rosen, DPM)
From: Richard Rettig, DPM

Dr. Rosen wants to know if it is necessary to get a new order for subsequent visits in a nursing home. No, it is not. Once you see a patient, you have developed a direct relationship with the patient and can see the patient as often as is medically necessary without further orders.

Richard Rettig, DPM, Philadelphia, PA, rettigdpm@gmail.com

Editor's note:  Dr. Rettig is correct. What a physician at a nursing home can't do is write a standing order that says, "patient to be seen by a podiatrist every 61 days for routine care."

RE: Rising Patient Deductibles Spell Trouble for Doctors
From: Robert Bijak, DPM

My MD friends don't worry much about rising deductibles, coding seminars, or in-office sales. Podiatry has to admit that more than half of what we do is very elective, and if it weren't for insurance, people wouldn't bother with us. Unless podiatry increases its scope to handle more REAL urgencies, we'll become extinct or we'll be selling bread and milk along with OTC creams and arch supports to make a living. 

Robert Bijak, DPM, Clarence Center, NY rbijak@aol.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed PODO2345@AOL.COM 516-476-1815.

ASTORIA PODIATRY OFFICE FOR RENT/SHARE

BEST ASTORIA location. 30TH AVE./32nd ST. Turn-key operation with 4 fully equipped, built-out exam rooms, private Drs.' Office/Consult room, X-ray, cryo-therapy, beautiful waiting area, large staff area, Shockwave, Multiple Lasers etc. Perfect for NEW PODIATRIST or SATELLITE location. ALL you need is a PHONE and COMPUTER! RENT includes all other standard expenses (utilities, cleaning, waste disposal etc.) P/T, $2500. F/T., $3500. Please send inquiries to hansfeet2@gmail.com.ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY

Kansas City may be the perfect move for you and your family. I am looking for an entrepreneurial minded associate who wants to grow and then own part of an already successful practice. If you are the right candidate for this associate position, you will enjoy a competitive compensation package and you will be working with a doctor who is as committed to your success as he is to his own. Go to: www.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ORANGE COUNTY, NY

Full-Time or part-time. Looking for a highly motivated, surgical trained podiatrist in Orange County, NY (West Point). Hospital, wound center and surgical center affiliated. A busy practice that covers hospital in-patients, wound center, and ER calls. Must be trained in all foot surgery and be able to handle advanced diabetic wound care. 1 hour car ride from NYC and close to hiking, fishing, skiing and state parks. Email CV and contact info to: clsp4@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

Established and modern podiatry practice seeking well trained podiatrist for our two offices located in the Hudson Valley. Individuals must be highly motivated, ethical, and have PM & S-36 training. Partnership potential! Please see our recruitment video (845) 471-2243, esims@simspodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CT - (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)

Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices, including EMR, digital x-ray, vascular and NCV studies, Pinpointe and CO2 lasers, diagnostic ultrasound and electrical stimulation therapy. You can expect a full schedule of patients the day you start, and a very competitive salary. For more info www.greatfootcare.com. Send resume to Dr.Kassaris@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OH

Join a well-established modern practice in Dayton, Ohio. Excellent reputation and referral base. Base salary $120,000, benefits and bonus structure. EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, CO2 lasers, all aspects of DME. We seek a surgeon that is well-trained and personable to join our group of 4 podiatric surgeons. Would like to have this individual buy in to the practice eventually. Please send CV and to Ohiodoctors@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

Exciting Opportunity! Associate position. Must be Board Qualified. Joining all Board Certified Doctors in foot surgery and reconstructive rear-foot and ankle surgery. Respond to: Podiatryoffice@doctor.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/SF BAY AREA

We’re looking for someone entrepreneurial to join our growing practice. Must have great people skills, clinical/surgical skills, and positive demeanor. California license required. No nursing home visits. Send your CV and cover letter to: cvpodiatrist@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA

Associate wanted for well-established practice in central Florida. Experienced support staff, six figure salary, malpractice coverage and health insurance provided. Excellent opportunity for a promising future, this position will provide for the possibility of partnership in the future. To apply please go to www.yourcareerinpodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - GRAPEVINE, TEXAS

Do you want to practice in a fast paced office environment? Do you like all aspects of podiatric medicine? Very busy 2 office practice looking for associate to add to our group of 5. If you are a forward thinking, surgically trained podiatrist send your CV to giacalone@faant.com

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