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PM News |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily
February 21, 2007 #2,815 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com E-mail us by hitting the reply key. COPYRIGHT 2007- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.
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Aetrex Introduces New iStep Podiatry Kiosk
Aetrex is proud to introduce the iStep Evolution-Rx, the most advanced digital footcare kiosk ever developed for podiatric practices. This patented technology is designed to facilitate and enhance your footwear and orthotic services and features products from many world renowned companies. Designed in conjunction with The Walking Company and leading podiatrists, iStep Evolution-Rx will help you provide a higher level of patient care, generate substantial additional revenue, increase office efficiency and modernize your practice.
To learn more click here http://www.aetrex.com/rx
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PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS |
Cosmetic Foot Surgery Can Modify Toes, But Beware of "Foot Face-lift": TX Podiatrist
Dr. Bhavesh Shah is a San Antonio podiatrist who can turn twisted toes into beautiful little piggies. "We can shorten, lengthen, flatten, raise it just so it fits more with the shoes," Dr. Shah explained. He said women are having toe tucks to make their toes look thinner, toe cleavage procedures to make their toes look sexier, and toe shortening by getting part of the bone cut off to keep that second toe from sticking out like a sore thumb.
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Dr. Bhavesh Shah |
"Some toes are really short," Dr. Shah said, "We can even lengthen bones nowadays. It's called callus-distraction." They attach a device to the bone and, over time, it stretches out your toe. Cosmetic foot surgery can cost anywhere from $200 to $10,000, depending on what you have done.
Dr. Shah has a warning for those thinking about having a foot face-lift. "You are going to be walking on it, and you will experience pain if something goes wrong," he explained. "Every step you take, so you have to be realistic when it comes to cosmetics."
Source: Mandi Johnston, WOAI (TX) [7/18/07]
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Your Patients Will be Amazed at SureFit's UltraLITE Shoe Collection
Patients are always complaining that their diabetic shoes are too heavy. SureFit’s UltraLITES are amazing patients across the country. The UltraLite collection provides super light weight without sacrificing excellent support and control. Lightweight materials and special construction combine to create diabetic shoes that are so light they feel almost weightless.
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See the difference SureFit diabetic footwear will make in your practice. Call today for a FREE sample of the amazing UltraLITE.
Toll Free 800 298 6050 or visit http://www.surefitlab.com/
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PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
MO Podiatrist Enjoys Midwest Lifestyle
Dr. Geoffrey Bricker, 52, a podiatrist at Doctor's Hospital in Springfield, MO, grew up in Pennsylvania, going to Penn State for my undergraduate and finishing there in 1975. He then went to Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, and completed a residency at the V.A. Medical Center in Topeka, KS.
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Dr. Geoffrey Bricker |
He was looking for a place in the Midwest because Pennsylvania was crowded with podiatrists and he wanted to go to what he thought was an underserved area. He had visited Springfield at the suggestion of another podiatrist, and liked it. He liked the size of the town and all the lakes in the area and that was it.
He sees 20 to 30 patients a day, and one day a week he performs between four and six surgeries — mostly at Doctor's Hospital, but also at St. John's. and also has privileges at Cox. He also consults at Missouri State University one day a week with the athletic program. His main hobbies are watersports. He likes to go sailing, wave-running and fishing and also enjoys biking and weight lifting. He's a black belt in kempo karate.
Source: Howard Simmons, Springfield News-Leader [2/19/07]
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Large Clinics Can Increase Revenue with a Centralized Appointment Desk
First impressions are important! New patients can be lost on their initial contact. The staff may be with a patient, at lunch, out sick, or on vacation and not answer the phone. They may be answering for another location that they don’t know very well. A disappointed, potential new patient who calls a different clinic is lost for life.
A better approach is for all appointment-related calls to go to a centralized staff that is knowledgeable about all of the doctors and locations in the practice. The US-based, friendly, professional operators at the Appointment Desk Company remotely schedule appointments for podiatrists and other doctors across the US . For larger clinics, we use the clinic’s scheduling system to schedule the appointments. Visit us at www.appointmentdesk.us or call 888.244.5150 for details or a quote.
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E-HEALTH NEWS |
EHR Market to Grow by 13.5% in Next Four Years: Report
The electronic health records (EHRs) market is primed to grow at a rate of 13.5% during the next four years, and will top $4.8 billion by 2015, according to a new study by Kalorama Information. The report, "U.S. Market for EMR Technologies," predicts the 13.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to remain stable until 2009. At that point, the study projects an additional two percentage points growth annually until 2012, where it will remain steady at 19.5% CAGR until 2015, according to Kalorama Information.
So what's causing the increase in growth? The study reports that the creation of national standards for EHRs, and recent increases in funding for the development of regional health information organizations have and will give a huge boost to the health IT market.
Source: Today in E-Health [2/13/07]
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MEETINGS / COURSES
The 2007 Annual Cherry Blossom Dermatology Seminar will be held in Washington DC at Washington Hospital Center on the weekend of April 28 and 29th. The meeting is sponsored by the American Society of Podiatric Dermatology.
Highlights will include lectures by Richard Scher, MD past president of the American Academy of Dermatology, Elizabeth Dugan, MD head dermatopathologist of WHC Melanoma Center. We are also very excited that we have the top podiatrists to discuss everything dermatology. They include Dock Dockery DPM, Harvey Lemont, DPM, Warren Joseph, DPM, Mark Kosinski, DPM, and John Steinberg, DPM, Wayne Caputo, DPM and more! We also have lectures by Todd Perkins, MD, Yolanda Holmes, MD, Ben Lockshin, MD and dermatology coding by David Freedman, DPM .
For further information and registration contact Dr. Joel Morse at foxhallfoot@aol.com or call 202-966-4811. The ASPD website will be up shortly.
For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf
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QUERIES |
Query: Flatbed Scanner for X-Rays
I am switching over to a digital x-ray system, however I want to digitize the old x-rays on my current patients as they return to the office. Is anyone aware of a flatbed scanner that has a transparency adapter and accommodate a 10 x 12 x-ray. I found an Epson model, but it was close to $3,000 with the transparency adapter.
Ken Meisler, DPM, New York, NY
Editor’s comment: One idea is to use a digital camera to do this. This is more time-consuming that having an a commercial-grade scanner with an automatic feeder.
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Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections in the Era of MRSA
An On-Demand Webcast
Available 24-7 for Your Convenience
Presented by:
Warren S. Joseph, DPM, FIDSA
and
David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD
To participate visit www.virtualrounds.com
This promotional Webcast is sponsored by Pfizer Inc and will not provide continuing education credits.
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CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: CPT 64550 & TENS
I recently read that CPT 64550 (application of surface [transcutaneous] neurostimulator) is the CPT code for a TENS unit application. This is an untimed code, and is not within the 97 series codes where other "physical therapy modalities" are listed.
This is confusing, because I would have thought that TENS would be considered a physical therapy modality, identical to electric stimulation. If it is within the local carrier determination (LCD) for "Physical Medicine," under which code is it listed?
Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY
Response: Initial application of a TENS unit, CPT 64550, is not a physical therapy service. The TENS is placed on the patient's skin by the physician, and the patient takes the unit home for self-use. It is to "reduce" pain, not stimulate muscle.
If you are performing therapeutic electric stimulation (not with a TENS unit), then you bill CPT 97032...which is a physical medicine/therapy modality treatment subject to Medicare local carrier determinations (LCDs) or non-Medicare payer guidelines.
Harry Goldsmith, DPM, Cerritos, CA
Codingline subscription information can be found at http://www.codingline.com/subscribe.htm
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PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn 15 CPME-Approved CME credits Online for only $139(Less than $14 per credit) http://www.podiatrym.com/cme.cfm Choose any or ALL of over 20 CME articles posted You Can Now Take Tests and Print Your CME Certificates Online
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RESPONSES / COMMENTS |
RE: Power Naps (Bob Levoy) From: David E. Gurvis, DPM, Paul Busman DPM
I started that back in 1968 when I started undergrad school and hate missing mine to this day. It was called being slothful and lazy back then, but I never cared. To this day, the staff leaves the office for lunch, locks up, and I take over the procedure room table for my nap. Wake up, and it’s a whole new day.
The staff is on their own, but they often do the same. And since my wife may be reading this, NO, they don’t get to share my procedure room table. They have to find their own spot.
David E. Gurvis, DPM, Avon, IN, deg1@comcast.net
Personally, I find them counter-productive. When I fall asleep and then wake up my body seems to think that it's "tomorrow" and I feel quite disoriented. I'm far better off using that 20 minutes off to go take a walk.
Paul Busman DPM, Troy, NY, BREWERPAUL@aol.com
RE: APMA State Leader as an Expert Witness (Bryan Markinson, DPM) From: Multiple Respondents
I personally believe it is a conflict of interest and agree with the editor’s response to Bryan Markinson DPM. There are plenty capable podiatrists who are not elected members of the association who can perform this function in a more than adequate fashion.
Bob Rampino, DPM, President Elect, NYSPMA, rdrdpm@yahoo.com
While I agree in principle with Dr. Markinson's comments, with specific respect to this case, there appears to be a clear conflict of interest. The defendant and plaintiff's expert witness obviously know one another and share some history together. From that standpoint, he/she should not be allowed to testify unless the defendant has no objection, for the courts are not privy to any pre-existing animosity or personal conflicts that may exist between those two individuals. The fact that one is prepared to testify against another involving a case, that at least from the defendant's standpoint appears to harbor minimal merit, wreaks of personal conflict, which should never be allowed to enter in a court of law.
As for so-called "expert witnesses" in general, as part of a much needed malpractice tort reform, a screening process should be instituted involving a pre-appointed panel of 5 "judges...say 3 of specialists commensurate with the specialty involved in the case and 2 attorneys (1 plaintiff and 1 defense) to determine whether a given "expert witness" meets the qualifications long before a case goes to trial. In addition, an expert witness' testimony should be closely scrutinized by the same panel who approved his/her appointment empowered to levy punitive measures against any witness who falsifies or grossly embellishes his/her testimony. I find it simply amazing what people will say to earn a buck, and in some cases, with no legal recourse for the defendant. The system, as it currently is constituted, has significant flaws and needs reform if we are all to enjoy rates commensurate with our specialties and risk factors. That's not even mentioning the fact that we are the only civilized country who hasn't adopted a "loser pay" system of court fee compensation.
Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, YAZY630@AOL.COM
What makes one an expert witness, hmmmm....? One thing we all should agree on is that solely holding a position in our Society does not make you an "expert" in podiatric medicine or surgery. We should also all agree that our "elected" leaders be held to the highest ethical standards. Is it ethical to "advertise" your position in our Association, while serving as an expert witness? Would this not imply, or at least mislead the jury, that this qualifies the podiatrist as an expert? Yes, it's true that ALL experts state their credentials in an effort to show their qualifications. The difference is that, in our Association, there are many guidelines that restrict what members can and cannot "advertise."
What do we do when an "elected" leader's testimony is ethically questionable? My humble opinion is to let these testimonies be reviewed, and have these leaders become "unelected" and removed from our association. Let our "dues-paying" members know about these testimonies, and give them an opportunity to rethink their previous vote. Ethics committees do not work when it is a leader being reviewed. Dr. Markinson acknowledges that there is "green slime" in the system, but does not offer any solutions. I challenge Dr. Markinson to write a resolution that would prevent or at least deter unethical testimony by Association leaders. It is time to stop acknowledging the "slime" and find ways to clean it up before it ends up at your door.
From: Nicholas D'Angelo, DPM, Brooklyn, NY, Skitoast@aol.com
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CLASSIFIED ADS |
ASSOCIATE WANTED - NORTH CAROLINA , CHARLOTTE AREA
Incredible opportunity to join a busy, well-established group practice. Looking for a self-motivated, hard-working individual seeking to become a partner. Hospital and surgery center privileges. Salary plus percentage, 401k and real estate opportunities. Send CV to universityoffice@ bellsouth.net
ASSOCIATE WANTED - BOCA RATON-DELRAY BEACH AREA
Full time for growing practice-surgical training a plus-hard working a real plus-opportunity of a lifetime-partnership after 1yr. Need Florida license. Fax resume to 561-865-2225
SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA-PM&S 36 ASSOCIATE WANTED
Large, busy podiatry group looking for associate interested in future partnership. Practice facilities and technologies include: Surgical Center, Physical Therapy Department, six appointment locations, EMR, MRI and Digital X-ray. Full compensation and benefit package offered. Mail CV to Martin Foot and Ankle, 1203 S. Queen St. York, PA 17403 or email business administrator, johnreitzel@comcast.net.
POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA
Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION -MINNESOTA – PRIME MINNEAPOLIS SUBURB
Busy, well-established, full-scope podiatry practice, seeking highly motivated podiatrist for a full-time position with potential partnership opportunity. Looking for PSR 24+ individual. Excellent opportunity for long-term growth with unlimited income potential. E-mail CV to employment@associatedpodiatrists.com or fax to (612) 866-5875 Attn. Jennifer.
ASSOCIATE POSITION- KANSAS CITY, MO
Excellent opportunity for a hard working, ethical podiatrist to join a vibrant, successful and growing podiatric medical and surgical practice. Dedicated, supportive staff with strong marketing and medical knowledge. Must be board eligible/certified. PSR/24. Partnership opportunity. Competitive salary, bonus structure, benefits. Wonderful place to raise a family. Fax CV to 816-455-8901
ASSOCIATE POSITION – WASHINGTON, DC
Associateship leading to full purchase or immediate sale. 25 Year old practice located in a hosp. w/ full surg privileges. Large number of diabetic patients and referrals. Fully equipped with x-ray, topical hyperbaric oxy units, 4 tx rooms and more. $400K on only 3 days a week. Will finance with generous terms and stay to introduce. Owner leaving area. Contact R. Benjamin, DPM jhallux@yahoo.com or 202-841-5545
SEEKING RESIDENT FOR PSR-24 POSITION: BALTIMORE, MD
Mercy Medical Center -Position for a highly motivated individual with completed non-surgical residency or one desiring additional surgical training in well-established Podiatric Residency Program. Busy metropolitan hospital with high surgical numbers and inpatient care. Resident is integral member of multidisciplinary team. Begins mid June 2007. Includes competitive salary/benefits. Send inquiries to rsher18@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NY & CONNECTICUT
Opportunity to be a part of a prestigious and well-established large Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation practice, with locations in Stamford, CT and West Harrison, NY. Looking for a Podiatrist to join an already busy practice with opportunity to build. We have state-of-the-art offices with MRI, digital x-ray, paperless charts, physical and occupational therapy. Applicants should be Board Certified or Board Eligible. Competitive salary and benefits. For further information on the practice, log onto WWW.NYCONNORTHO.COM Interested candidates should forward their C.V. to: Cliff Katz, Executive Director ckatz@nyconnortho.com
PART-TIME ASSOCIATE POSITION - BRONX, NY
Part-time associate position with real potential for full time. Two days a week (one day-in office; one day-house calls). Associate will have an opportunity to work with a very ethical and hard-working podiatrist. Competitive salary + incentive compensation. Please email CV to scottdeis@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION- MINEOLA, NY Excellent opportunity in fast-paced well-established podiatry practice for full time associate, all phases of podiatry including surgery, biomechanics, orthotics and routine foot care. Begins July 2007. Includes competitive salary and benefits. Please send CV and letter of interest to: cfcsteve@optonline.net
PRACTICE FOR SALE -NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Great opportunity to own a well-established turn-key podiatry practice located in modern medical office building in East Bay; Electronic billing, good payor base, no HMO contracts; biomechanics, general podiatry with great potential for surgery. Please send CV and letter of interest to: norcalpod@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE WANTED FOR SOUTH MIAMI AREA
Large group, busy, multi-office, partner potential. Motivated applicants only. Mail resumes and letters of intent to 999 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead , FL 33030. July start time OK, sooner preferable. E-mail lianadpm2@aol.com
WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for only $75
PM Classified Ads Reach over 9,000 DPM's and Students
Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 9,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com
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Disclaimers |
Acceptance and publication by this newsletter of an advertisement, news story, or letter does not imply endorsement or approval by Barry Block or Kane Communications of the company, product, content or ideas expressed in this newsletter. Podiatric Medical News does not represent the views, and is a separate entity from Podiatry Management Magazine and Podiatry Management Online. Any information pertaining to legal matters should not be considered to be legal advice, which can only be obtained via individual consultation with an attorney. Information about Medicare billing should be confirmed with your State CAC.
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR
ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS
PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.
If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an
employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
electronic copies and destroy all printed copies.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
| Guidelines |
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- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
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