The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

February 03, 2012 #4,375 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Median Income for Podiatrists at an All-Time High: NJ Podiatrist

For someone looking for job security in a slow-growth economy, the field of podiatric medicine might be a step in the right direction. A study from the University at Albany in New York shows that the nation's eight colleges of podiatric medicine would have to triple their graduates between now and 2014 to meet the nation's population growth. 

Dr. Christian Robertozzi

"The field of podiatry is one of the most specialized in all of medicine. And anyone who has become a podiatrist knows that the payoffs associated with becoming a doctor of podiatric medicine are priceless," says Dr. Christian Robertozzi. "But when it all boils down to it, most medical students are concerned about what their salaries will be once they enter the workforce. Because the supply is less than the demand for podiatrists at the moment, the median income for our profession is at an all-time high."

Source: Chicago Tribune [1/31/12]

UK Podiatrist's Confidential Records Laptop Stolen

A laptop containing personal and medical information of up to 1,500 people has been stolen from a podiatry clinic in Hampshire. The laptop, containing unencrypted data, was taken from the Walking On Air clinic in Gosport on Tuesday. Podiatrist Natasha Townsend said the laptop did have a password.

Walking on Air Clinic

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it would investigate the loss of the computer. Ms. Townsend said: "It's got personal information on it but mostly all my medical patient notes which I need. I didn't really know much about encryption and things like that. I'm not very good with computers."

Source: BBC [2/1/12]

Medicare Intensifying Documentation Reviews Before Payment

The federal government has been making moves to open up more physician decision-making to review by both officials and the public. Pre-payment claims reviews, sunshine requirements, and doctor report cards are some examples of recent policy changes designed to put more checks on physicians, whose decisions have a sizable impact on health spending and quality.

Pre-payment review is not a new concept to physicians, but Florida's Medicare contractor is taking the practice to new heights. Officials say the move will cut down on claims mistakes and other errors that lead to improper pay. Physicians worry that they'll be told after the fact that surgeries they performed were deemed medically unnecessary -- and that they owe Medicare any fees they've already received.

Source: AM News [1/30/12]

Perfect Eye Contact

Make a strong impression by using eye contact correctly. In meetings or presentations, connect when you:

•  Linger. In a small-group setting, say two or three sentences while looking at one person before you move on.
•  Pause naturally. Complete a sentence before redirecting eye contact to another  person. When planning your next sentence or topic, look between people rather than up and down. Otherwise, you will appear unprepared.
•  Move around. It’s easy to focus only on the people who seem interested in your presentation. Make sure you also connect with the people who look bored or disengaged. Draw them in with your eyes.

Tip: If you have trouble looking directly into someone’s eye, shift your focus to the person’s forehead or nose. Other people will not know you are not looking in their eyes.

Source:  Adapted from “The Importance of Eye Contact When Presenting and Speaking in Public,” Benjamin Ball via Communication Briefings

RE: How To Address Patients (Louis MacDonald, DPM)
From: Paul Hilbert, DPM

I see that Dr. MacDonald is from the area of the country north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Ya'll are going to talk different than those of us where grits and collard greens are basic food staples. If I didn't address any of my adult patients as Sir or Ma'am no matter their age or economic status, I would flinch in fear that somehow my mother's hand would magically decend out of the sky and upon the back of my head and slap me silly.

I make it perfectly clear to my employees upon their hiring and at office meetings, if ever needed, that they will do the same as per my orders. As far as calling out their last names to get them out of the waiting room, it doesn't matter much around here because everybody knows everybody else anyway. So my short answer is: It depends.
 
Paul Hilbert, DPM, Navarre, FL, coastalp@bellsouth.net

RE: Surgical Diabetic Fellowship? (Joseph Quattrone, DPM)
From: Christopher M Locke, DPM
 
We have an intensive program in diabetic limb salvage at Boston University and Boston Medical Center where international scholars are invited to train and work with our clinical and research team headed by Dr. Driver.
 
Christopher M Locke, DPM, Boston, MA, Christopher.Locke@bmc.org

RE: New MD Shoe Company Tells People to "Ditch Your Orthotics" (Kevin Kirby, DPM)
From: Steven King, DPM

I would like to thank Dr. Kirby for keeping us up-to-date on the latest in biomechanics and shoes.

Dr. Kerrigan has a very nice website and interesting approach to "gravity mitigation", be it called contact phase impact or midstance weighting. She is working with the newest materials (carbon fiber) in new ways to help her patients.

To quote from the OESH website, "OESH is different. It is the first and only evidenced-based shoe properly designed to reduce stresses on  your joints and all other injury sensitive areas of your body." This sounds a lot like the pitch used for...

Editor's note: Dr. King's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Sammy Systems (Jack Ressler, DPM)
From: Name Witheld (NY)

I am a satisfied Sammy customer, but would like to offer an honest assessment. I do not like the current e-prescribing system. Oftentimes, it does not work, or the system is down. This is very frustrating. This has nothing to do with a learning curve; it is a bug in the system. Sammy currently uses a company to gain access to this info, and the company's software, in my opinion, is not up to par.

Name Withheld (NY)

RE: Medicare Review of L1906 PDAC
From: Michael Hames, DPM

Effective for claims with dates of service on or after April 1, 2012, the only products which may be billed to Medicare using code L1906 (ankle foot orthosis, multi-ligamentus ankle support, pre-fabricated, includes fitting and adjustment) are those for which a written coding verification has been made by the Pricing, Data Analysis, and Coding (PDAC) contractor and that are listed in the Product Classification Matrix of the DME Coding System (DMECS). Products which have not received coding verification review from the PDAC must be billed with code A9270. Please refer to the advisory article titled "Coding Guidelines for Ankle Foot Orthoses".

Products that are currently listed on DMECS with L1906 will be end dated effective March 31, 2012 and changed to A9270 until a coding verification review has been completed by the PDAC. Manufacturers/Distributors of products that meet the requirements of L1906 should submit a Coding Verification Application to the PDAC promptly. PDAC is allowed up to 90 days to complete a coding verification and expects an increased workload as a result of this policy change. Manufacturers/Distributors should also be aware of the product labeling requirements that must be met for coding verification applications of products that are received at the PDAC on or after February 1, 2012.

Michael Hames, DPM, Florence, AL, hamesfootclinic@yahoo.com

RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day

Snokeling Shoes?

Source: Submitted by Dr. Joseph Borreggine

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (ORANGE COUNTY)

Strong & diverse local economy, in a beautiful beach community. Well rounded, established since 1983, fully equipped. Consistently grossing over $600K. Many types of insurance, reimbursement and revenue sources. Local hospitals allow full scope of podiatric care. Terms available. Contact: josephdpm@gmail.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Cosman Radiofrequency Generator for Sale!  Model RFG-1B  Like New Condition. Comes with Manual, 17 Dispersive Electrodes, 2 CSK-R 10  Kits, 2 CSK-R 5 Kits, 11 CC RF Cannula 10cm/10mm/22G, 4 CC RF Cannula 10cm/5mm/22G,  1 - 5cm RF Cannula/22G (4mm Sharp Curved Tip), & 2 Replacement Fuses. Asking $10,500 OBO  Please Contact: nffpbosk@gmail.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 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

POSITION WANTED - NEW JERSEY

ACFAS Fellow Board Certified in both Foot and Reconstructive Hindfoot/Ankle Surgery with 10 years of experience in all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery seeking a good fit for part-time venture leading to long-term association or partnership. Excellent communicator with outstanding interpersonal skills and exceptional bedside manner. Skilled in seeing high patient volume. Contact njfootdoc123@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - VICTORIA, B.C. CANADA

Beautiful Victoria, B.C. Canada on the ocean fast growing area, Associate for multi-office full scope practice Reply to dr.cole@shaw.ca

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN KENTUCKY

Available in beautiful southern Kentucky in progressive, multi-office practice with 6 providers. Excellent base salary, malpractice, full benefit package with 2-year track to partnership. Looking for someone that wants to grow with our practice, work hard and develop relationships with local hospitals and surrounding communities. Strong communication skills, bedside manner and willingness to learn a must. Narrow window for interviews: email CV and letter of interest before March 1: footdocky@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

I'm not just looking for an associate. I am looking for a doctor who wants to build a highly successful career with a doctor who is as committed to their success as he is to his own. Go towww.YourFutureInPodiatry.com to find out about this opportunity.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL NJ

Looking for a three-year surgically-trained associate who has entrepreneurial spirit. Partnership guaranteed within three years for the right person. Must be very outgoing and personable. Great opportunity for a person who is confident and a go getter. drwfoot@verizon.net

 ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA

Emerald Coast on the North Shore of the Gulf of Mexico, a well-established group practice with multi-offices, seeking an associate with opportunity for partnership for a PSR-24/36 Doctor well-trained in foot/ankle/diabetic problems/wound care/surgical and medical podiatric care, covering 3 area hospitals, NO nursing homes. e-mail letter of interest, CV, and references to basewedge@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PHILADELPHIA, SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

Seeking motivated, independent foot & ankle surgeon to join large practice. Our multi office practice covers all aspects of foot and ankle pathology, including heavy limb salvage/ hospital volume. Offering competitive salary and benefit package. Send CV and two references to: bleich5252@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER. Join a modern, well-established 42-year-old podiatric medical/surgical practice within a multi-specialty office. Located just 20 minutes from NYC. Must be responsible, compassionate, driven, and self-starter. Enjoy cross-referrals from other specialists and support of medical assistants, office managers, and medical billers with over 50 years combined experience. Utilize modern technology: state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, ESWT (machine is owned by practice), physical therapy, x-ray, circulation testing, NCV, and in-office operatory suite. Very strong and effective advertising/marketing program. No nursing homes, No HMOs, No Medicaid, No Medicare. Must be licensed for podiatry in New York. Send cover letter/CV to: linchpindpm@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS - SUBURBAN NORTH DALLAS 

Great opportunity for the right individual. Seeking well-trained (PSR 24+), ethical, hard-working, motivated individual. Full scope of podiatry including office, hospital and surgery center work.  Partnership opportunity available. Well-rounded practice with competitive salary/benefits package. Please send letter of intent, CV and current photo to dpmposition@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LONG ISLAND, NY

Full time associate position available with well rounded multi-office group on Long Island. Ideal position for July 2012 graduating third year resident who wants to practice and live on Long Island. Candidates must be board qualified or board certified, and well trained in all phases of podiatry including surgery, biomechanics, wound care and palliative care. Compensation includes salary,malpractice insurance, paid vacations and surgical incentives, with a future partnership opportunity available for the right candidate. Interested doctors are encouraged to submit their CV's in response to: mets724@gmail.com

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