The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

March 31, 2012 #4,424 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Jason Bottoms, DPM

Dr. Jason Bottoms loved Superman. He reveled in the character's uncomplicated certainty and quiet confidence, not to mention his ability to set fires with his eyes and push earthbound meteors off course. One key difference between Superman and Dr. Bottoms: the superhero was born that way. The podiatrist was a lifelong overachiever. Diagnosed with diabetes as a child, he channeled a quirky optimism to his benefit in football and schoolwork.

Dr. Jason Bottoms

The podiatrist had served as president of the Hillsborough component of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association. He was also engaged to be married — until an unexpected medical event cut a bright future short. Dr. Bottoms died of unknown causes March 23 at Morton Plant Hospital. He was 33. "He was just a brilliant surgeon, a bright young doctor on the verge of a partnership track with us," said Dr. Wes Sykes of the Ankle and Foot Center of Tampa Bay.

Source: Andrew Meacham, Tampa Bay Times [3/30/12]

Cold is More Effective Than Heat in Reducing Swelling: NY Podiatrist

If you're among the 40 percent of women who wear heels daily, you can attest to the aches and pains that come from making that sky-high fashion statement--namely, cramped toes (which can lead to a bunion or hammertoe) and throbbing in the balls of your feet. 

Dr. Lori Weisenfeld

For fast relief, skip the warm bath and reach for something cold, says New York City-based sports podiatrist Lori S. Weisenfeld, DPM, "Your feet are most likely inflamed, and ice is more effective than heat for taking down swelling." So grab a bag of frozen peas or a chilled can of soda and hold it where it hurts for 10 to 20 minutes.

Source: CBS Interactive Life & Health Library [March 2012]

OCPM to Become Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

At the recent Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) Board of Trustees meeting, the OCPM board unanimously agreed to sign off on the acquisition deal from Kent State University. Starting this summer, OCPM will officially be known as the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM). The official OCPM board vote comes about a week after the Kent State Board of Trustees elected to acquire the podiatric college in Independence, Ohio. 

New Collaboration Logo

“This is a major milestone in the history of OCPM,” stated Dr. Thomas V. Melillo, president of OCPM. “This partnership with Kent State is truly a positive opportunity for the college and our students. The ability to offer graduate level, dual degree programs such as master’s of business administration or public health, Ph.D. programs, and other future programs such as sports medicine, will only enhance our students' educational experience.”

Many Foot Woes of Runners Are Addressed With Correct Shoes: IA Podiatrist

Foot problems are common challenges affecting Siouxland runners and joggers. After all, the feet are what hit the ground first. "Running injuries are caused by trauma, training errors, or biomechanical faults in the runner's physical structure," explained Sioux City podiatrist Dr. Paul Coffin, who treats running-associated injuries, helps runners prevent future problems, and returns them to full activity in as short a time as possible. 

Dr. Paul Coffin (Photo: Tim Hynds)

Coffin pointed out that many foot woes are easily addressed with the correct shoe. "Runners, when they feel pain or discomfort in their feet, will sometimes alter their running style to alleviate the pain," he noted. "They tend to overlook the main culprit, which could be their running shoes."

Source: Joanne Fox, Sioux City Journal [3/29/12]

FL Podiatrist Achieves Personal Best in Triathalon 

Dr. Megan Lawton wants to complete 10 Ironman events. The 35-year-old Naples podiatrist completed her fourth Ironman after placing third among the women who finished the full Ironman during the weekend’s HITS Triathlon Series in Ocala. She had a personal best of 13 hours 19 minutes in the event, a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. “It was really great,” said Lawton, who finished 13th overall. 

Dr. Meg Lawton

Lawton said she has been competing in triathlons since she was 21, and four years ago started doing longer events. She does marathons here and there. Lawton said she averages two hours of training a day, though her work schedule makes it difficult to train with others. She plans to complete an Ironman every two months and is training for the Ironman Texas in May.

Source: Barbara Boxleitner, Naples News [3/29/12]

Third Person Nabbed for Posing as a Podiatrist to Obtain Prescription Drugs

Another person has been taken into custody in La Porte IN for allegedly posing as a doctor to obtain prescription drugs. Natasha Akins was arraigned Wednesday in La Porte Circuit Court on Class D felony offenses. She could face anywhere from a six-month to three-year sentence. According to court documents, police were contacted March 22 by a pharmacist at CVS where an individual claiming to be a local podiatrist was calling in a prescription for hydrocodone.

The name of the podiatrist, Dr. Stephanie M. Droege was the same used by two other women, Carrie Furto and Meredith Wolanyk, who were arrested over the past several weeks, also for calling in fraudulent prescriptions for hydrocodone, said police. According to court documents, police, during the course of the investigation, learned that Dr. Droege has not practiced in La Porte for more than two years, and now resides in California. She was contacted and told investigators she has nothing to do with the prescriptions obtained by the defendants, police said.

Source: Stan Maddux, The Herald-Argus (LaPorte, IN) [3/29/12]

Query: Responsibility to Repay Medicare

I recently received a few calls on my cell phone from a company called CBE claiming that I owe $600 plus interest to Medicare. I was in private practice until two years ago, when I joined a multispecialty group. They failed to explain the debt. If I closed my practice, can I still owe Medicare money if there is no money from that business remaining? Has anyone received a similar call from this company? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Name Withheld

Editor's comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Any demand for repayment should be sent to you in writing, not via telephone. Assuming that the debt is legitimate, the fact that you are no longer practicing as the previous entity would not shield you from any financial obligations to repay debts. 

Query: Starting an ASC

I have been approached by a couple of surgeons to partner with them to start a small ambulatory surgery center. I have no knowledge of how to start one up. I am told that the surgeons' incentive to use an ASC would be that they would be paid a facility fee. The ASC would charge an hourly fee for use of the ASC. I would like to hear about any of your experiences. Is there a resource for a business model? Any guidance is appreciated.

Name Withheld

Query: Complex I&D with Tissue Removal

How would I best code a complex incision and drainage of abscess with packing of the right hallux? At the same site (proximally), devitalized tissue (less than 20 sq cm) was removed down to the flexor hallux longus tendon. Soft tissue was sent for aerobic and anaerobic cultures and sensitivities.

Damian Dieter, DPM, South Bend, IN

Response: While this may seem like a "complex" incision and drainage of abscess, but there is not enough description to justify anything more than CPT 10060 (I&D of abscess, simple). What makes it "complex"? I would be interested in the opinion of others.

Howard Zlotoff, DPM, Camp Hill, PA

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RE: Vibram Hit With Five-Finger Class Action
From: Kevin A. Kirby, DPM

It was just announced that a group of five law firms have filed a class action suit against Vibram USA, Inc. and Vibram FiveFingers, LLC in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts. This class action lawsuit alleges that the company made deceptive health benefit statements about their shoes and about barefoot running.
 
The lawsuit asserts that: 1) health benefits claims Vibram FiveFingers has used to promote the shoes are deceptive; 2) FiveFingers may increase injury risk as compared to running in conventional running shoes, and even when compared to running barefoot; 3) there are no well-designed scientific studies that support FiveFingers' claims. The class action lawsuit, filed on March 21 on behalf of Florida resident Valeria Bezdek, also represents more than 200 people with claims against Vibram. The claims totals exceed $5,000,000.
 
Kevin A. Kirby, DPM, Sacramento, CA, kevinakirby@comcast.net

RE: Recommendations for EMR/EHR (Elliot Udell, DPM)
From: Marc Garfield, DPM
 
Practice Fusion (PF) touts over 100,000 users. If the program ever sunsets, there will not be 100,000 doctors suddenly unable to access records. It is not going to happen! You are at greater risk with a smaller company going bust over MU requirements, even if the server is in your office. I do not use Practice Fusion, but I have compared it to many other expensive programs, and it works as well as the others.
 
If you can’t get over the “what if?” scenarios, then look at Amazing Charts (AC), and keep the server and data in your office. Spending $20K on a program is unnecessary when these two options are available. They are free to try out and fully compliant with meaningful use. The only reason not to buy them is if you prefer an integrated billing solution, and even that argument is getting weaker.
 
The best ratings scales for EMRs (Though not podiatry-specific EMRs) is KLAS and the annual AAFP surveys. PF and AC generally top the user satisfaction surveys.
 
Marc Garfield, DPM, Williamsburg, VA, mgarfield1@cox.net

RE: America’s Tallest Man Gets New Shoes Thanks to $32K in Donations

After a desperate plea for help, America’s tallest man has cobbled together $32,000 in donations to buy a pricey pair of shoes that he hopes will change his life. Igor Vovkovinskiy is 7-foot-8 and hasn’t had a new pair of kicks in six years, he wrote on a personalized gofundme.com website that he launched March 6 to help solve his podiatric problems. 

Igor Vovkovinskiy with his new size 26 custom-made shoes.                                             (Photo Ken Klotzbach)

His feet have become “terribly” deformed, he said, because ill-fitting shoes have led him to undergo 16 surgeries over the last five years. The resulting bumps and scars require that his new shoes be made using 3-D modeling to arrive at a custom fit — and that doesn’t come cheap. Reebok estimated that new shoes crafted, based on 3-D laser scans of each foot, would cost about $15,000, and require him to make a trip to Massachusetts.

Source: Nanvy Dillon, New York Daily News [3/28/12]

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