The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

January 16, 2012 #4,395  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Podiatry Management Celebrates 30th  Anniversary

The January 2012 issue of Podiatry Manangement represents the beginning of our 30th year of publication. This special 220-page issue also features the first part of America's Most Influential Podiatrists List, which we publish every five years. The second part of the list will appear in the March issue.

January 2012 Podiatry Management

 In addition, you'll  find our usual assortment of features, including our columns, and a CPME-approved CME.

Cinderlla Procedure^TM Allows for Early Ambulation: CA Podiatrist

"For years now, women have been subjected to wearing shoes that aren’t necessarily the best for their feet. History has shown, with customs like Chinese foot binding, that the well being of a woman’s foot has taken second priority to social norms and beauty," says podiatrist Dr. Ali Sadrieh. 

Dr. Ali Sadrieh

"The Cinderella procedure (for bunions) addresses this issue with a modern, pain-free, and short recovery procedure. The Cinderella procedure allows most patients to walk right after the procedure and be ambulatory during the post-operative period. In most cases, patients are able to be back into high heels in 4 weeks," says Sadrieh. 

Source: The Doctors

TN Podiatrist Pens 4th Novel

Dr. John E. Bell, one of Memphis’ leading podiatrists, is also the author of four intriguing books, including his latest – “Blue Ball Syndrome: Why Ordinary People Become Sexual Players” – that looks into why couples, married or otherwise, become unfaithful in their relationships. 

Dr. John Bell

The term blue ball syndrome is a new term in evaluating relationships. However, according to Dr. Bell, the effects of blue ball syndrome in relationships have been around for generations. “If you ever had a sense of loneliness in your relationship or even a yearning to have a hiatus from your relationship as a consequence of not being appreciated in your relationship and no relief was in sight, then you may be experiencing blue ball syndrome,” said Bell.

Source: Latrivia S. Nelson, Tri-State Defender [1/13/12]

More Education Needed on Social, Behavioral Health Determinants: AAMC

Physicians can do a better job of understanding how lifestyle, behavior, and economic status affect people's health, according to a new report from the Association of American Medical Colleges that is designed to help educators understand which behavioral and social sciences to include in their curricula.

The report also aims to create a framework to help prepare physicians in training to "address complex social challenges and unhealthy behaviors that can lead to premature death, chronic disease, and healthcare disparities," according to an AAMC news release. Behavioral and social determinants of health such as smoking, diet, exercise, and socio-economic status account for more than 50% of premature disease and death in the nation, according to the report.

Source: Paul Barr, Modern Physician [1/13/12]

Query: Not Billing for Medicare Services
 
Can a Medicare participating provider choose not to bill insurance for a Medicare patient's visit? I am talking about performing the service for free. I am under the impression that I can do this under certain circumstances, as long as I don't bill for the service at all. I just want to be sure that it is legal to do so.
 
Name Withheld

Editor's Comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. There is no rule that requires a Medicare provide to bill for services provided. This is referred to as providing pro bono services. 

RE: Multiple Verrucae in 4 Year Old Child (Sloan Gordon, DPM)
From: Alan L. Bass, DPM, RPH

Cimetidine does still, in fact, come in a liquid formulation at 300mg/5ml. I dose it in the same manner as everyone else has been saying. One of the best things I have done is have a copy of the article written by Drs. Guiliana and Mullen, et al. discussing the use of cimetidine in the treatment of warts in the treatment room. It puts parents at ease when I talk with them about using an oral medication to treat a topical issue. Educating the pediatricians about the use of cimetidine has also been of great benefit to me as they are the ones who refer most of my pediatric patients with warts to me.
 
Alan L. Bass, DPM, RPH, Manalapan, NJ, abassdpm@optonline.net

RE: Wood Laminate Flooring in the Office (Arthur Lukoff, DPM)
From: Shari Lewis Kaminsky, DPM, Bryan Satterwhite, DPM

I have a vinyl wood look-alike in my office called Amtico. It is very lovely and is easy on the feet. It is installed in planks and looks very much like real wood. It is one of the smartest design ideas I've had for my office.

Shari Lewis Kaminsky, DPM, St. Louis, MO, sharikaminsky@hotmail.com

I put wood laminate flooring in four of my treatment rooms about 4 years ago. I went to Lowes and bought the flooring and had it installed. It has not held up well to the traffic and the repeated cleaning that is necessary.
 
Bryan Satterwhite, DPM, Southport, NC, brydpm@bellsouth.net

RE: Charging for Paperwork (Michael J. Hodos, DPM)
From: Lori Preece

We too had been hesitant to charge for completion of paperwork but began to do so 3 years ago because the requests were becoming burdensome. We display our cash prices for completion of paperwork and it is explained in our written financial policy which each patient receives at the initial visit. We have a charge for initial paperwork completion and then we have a minimal charge for renewal types of paperwork, not limited to handicap parking placards from the DMV and disability paperwork for employers.

I think we must have been late getting around to charging for paperwork completion because not a single patient has complained about our policy. Charging for these types of services has taken the irritation out of this constant request in our practice.

Lori Preece, Office Manager, Dr. Jeffrey H. Katz, jeffreykdpm@sbcglobal.net

RE: Source for Canthrone Plus (Brent Rubin, DPM)
From: Michael Wodka, DPM

I too have been using Canthrone and Canthrone Plus for many years. As long as you explain the considerable discomfort, and caution the patients about possible untoward reactions, these products are my primary big guns for wart treatment. Both are available from Axium Healthcare (877) 811-6337.
 
Michael Wodka, DPM, Middletown, NY, mlwodka@hotmail.com

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