The Voice of Podiatrists

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January 29, 2008 #3,153 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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PA Podiatrist Receives Temple Award

Dr. Jay Schnitzer of Langhorne, PA has been awarded The Certificate of Honor for 2008 from Temple University. He was honored as a distinguished alumnus/scholar in his profession. Schnitzer is a board-certified podiatrist in Lower Bucks.

Dr. Jay Schnitzer

In 2004, Schnitzer was named Physician of the Year at St. Mary’s Hospital Center in Langhorne. He previously served for 14 years as an oral/ written examiner for the Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine.

Source: Dawn Trappasse, Bucks County Courier Times [1/28/08]

Hogan Named President of ABPOPPM

Dr. Joseph T. Hogan was appointed president of the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine. The group offers a comprehensive board qualification and certification process in podiatric medicine and orthopedics.

Dr. Joseph T. Hogan

Dr. Hogan is Director of the United Health Services PM&S – 36 Residency Program in Binghamton, NY.

Source: Valerie Tokarz, Southern Tier Business News [1/28/08]

Medicare Program Promotes 'Bounty Hunter' Tactics, Groups Say

Hospital groups have launched a campaign against expanding a pilot program to audit Medicare claims, saying that it is "riddled with flaws" and that contingency fees provided to auditors encourages them to be too aggressive, the Wall Street Journal reports. The program -- which was launched in California, Florida and New York and is to be expanded nationwide this year -- recouped $247.4 million in overpayments in fiscal year 2007. The program relies on private-sector auditing firms to examine claims filed by hospitals and other medical providers and then pays them contingency fees based on how much money they save the government.

In FY 2007, auditors identified $357 million in overpayments, $17.8 million or 7.1% of which were overturned on appeal, according to CMS. Payments for contingency fees and other administrative expenses totaled $77.7 million. Auditors also found $14.3 million in Medicare underpayments. While supporters of the program say the contingency fees serve as an incentive, critics say it encourages auditors to rely on a "'bounty hunter' payment mechanism."

Source: Wall Street Journal Via American Health Line [1/28/08]

Query: Pinpoint IPK’s at Suture Sites

I surgically removed two IPK's on the plantar aspect of a patient’s right foot. They were in a non-weight-bearing area and the pathology was essentially hyperkeratotic tissue. The patient healed very well, however, she now has painful pinpoint IPK's where each of the sutures were located. Has anyone seen this and if so, what treatment did you use other than debridement?

Rick Burnell, DPM, Camden, SC

Query: Ethical Use of the Term “Doctor”

A podiatrist in my area does a lot of advertising, including writing a health column in the local newspaper. The interesting thing is that he never identifies himself as a podiatrist or uses the initials “D.P.M.” Is this practice ethical?

Name Withheld

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. According to the Business Section of the APMA Code of Ethics:

BE1.12 The podiatrist, in connection with his/her name, must use the title(s), degree(s), or designation(s) authorized by state law. The title "doctor" or any abbreviation cannot be used without the qualification "podiatrist," "podiatric physician," or "Doctor of Podiatric Medicine," or other appropriate designation. The podiatrist who is certified by a specialty board may use the appropriate term in connection with his/her specialty.

RE: Reimbursement and Quality of Care
From: Ken Malkin, DPM

The January 2008 issue of Podiatry Management Magazine has a guest editorial by Frank Kase, DPM of California which is a must read for all DPMs. It is entitled "The Devaluation of the Podiatric Physician." Dr. Case explains that sooner than later there will be a diminishment of quality when commercial fees for podiatric medical care are 60% of Medicare. It appears that many of these plans pay lower fees for DPMs – because podiatrists accept it.

Ken Malkin, DPM, Caldwell, NJ, drmedicare@aol.com

Editor’s Note: You can read this article at: http://www.podiatrym.com/pmarticle.cfm?id=113

RE: When an Unhappy Post-op Patient Appears in Your Office (Kathleen Toepp Neuhoff, DPM)
From: Robert A. Boudreau, DPM

Obviously, denigrating the primary surgeon is anathema, regardless of the surgical outcome that is presented. However, in the era of HIPAA, I am concerned that calling the primary surgeon, without the consent of the patient, may put the secondary doc in a precarious situation. It is always advisable to seek the patient's consent before making the call, and if no consent is given, I agree with Dr. Neuhoff’s advice: "If the patient declines to allow me to contact their surgeon, I decline to render any kind of an opinion or provide any care."

Robert A. Boudreau, DPM, Tyler, TX, RBFTDOC@aol.com

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Established 25 year well-rounded biomechanical and surgical practice seeking energetic, enthusiastic, personable and proficiently trained foot and ankle surgeon poised to take practice to the next level. Associate position with ultimate partnership. Excellent position for an individual interested in all aspects of podiatric medicine with emphasis on reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. No HMO patients. Email CV to dr4feet@sbcglobal.net

SEEKING ASSOCIATE WITH POTENTIAL TO FULL PARTNER

Busy multi-physician podiatric group with 2 locations seeking BQ/BC surgically trained doctor. Applicant should be well-trained in all aspects of surgical and conservative care. Seeking ethical, hard working and outgoing physician to join our 4-physician group. Excellent quality of life in suburban Houston, near NASA and the Gulf of Mexico. Email CV and cover letter to Dr. M. Rockett at Mrockettman@comcast.net.

Busy multi-dimensional practice; 70 miles north of New York City . Currently five (5)-doctor practice. looking to expand – all phases of podiatric medicine. contact: (845) 454-8308 EXT: 106

ASSOCIATE POSITION- CONNECTICUT

Established Practice looking for PSR 24/36 trained surgeon. Must have experience and be responsible for all surgical cases for the practice. EMR and digital x-ray in new 6-treatment room office. Hospital privileges available. Connecticut has a new ankle law for the Properly-trained DPM. Competitive salary, benefits, and bonus. Great area to raise a family. Fax resume to 860 243-5790.

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

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