The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

April 11, 2012 #4,433 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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WesternU Foot & Ankle Center Observes National Foot Health Awareness Month

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, and the Foot & Ankle Center team at Western University of Health Sciences has reminded everyone to take care of their feet and schedule a checkup with a podiatric physician. 

Dr. Jonathan Labovitz

“Everybody is more active with outside events, and they’re more prone to injury,” said Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS, College of Podiatric Medicine associate professor and chair of the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Biomechanics. “Pain is not normal. It’s a sign of something wrong and should be assessed."

NJ Podiatrist Has House Calls-Only Practice

Dr. Jay W. Slepner has a special niche: he treats people who are housebound or prefer not to go out for their foot care. “All I do now is house calls,” said Slepner, 69, of Margate. 

Dr. Jay W. Slepner

Slepner started practicing in 1975 in Philadelphia, and came to this area about eight years ago. Most of his patients are on Medicare. Slepner said he typically gets calls from diabetics and from patients who need care for their nails. “There are people who can’t come out, and they can take advantage of my services,” he said.

Source: Kevin Post, Press of Atlantic City [4/7/12]

HHS Proposes Delaying ICD-10 Deadline to Oct. 1, 2014

A proposed rule from HHS pushes back by one year the compliance deadline for conversion to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision of diagnostic and procedural codes to Oct. 1, 2014. The rollback of the ICD-10 deadline was telegraphed by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in February.

Also announced Monday, nearly 16 years after passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HHS has issued a proposed rule pursuant to a HIPAA mandate that all health insurance plans be numerically tagged with a unique health plan identifier.

Source: Joseph Conn, Modern Healthcare [4/9/12]

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Query: Excisional Biospy

I need to do an excisional biopsy on a 2 cm. by 0.5 cm. deep lesion on the plantar aspect in the center of the patient's heel. It is not pedunculated and bleeds easily. It may be malignant. It does pulsate. 

According to the patient, this lesion appeared after stepping on something several months ago. My plan is to remove and biopsy the abnormal tissue and cauterize the base. If bleeding continues, I would use gel foam. If malignant, I would refer the patient to an oncological surgeon. Any suggestions if bleeding persists after cautery and gel foam? 

Joe Borden, DPM, Reseda, CA

Query: Service Dog

Are there any rules, regulations, or certificates that qualify a dog to be a "service dog". I have a patient who told my nurse that the dog she "found" is now her service dog. Can people do that? Also, who is liable if the "service dog" bites or does something to another patient while in the waiting room? Plus, who is responsible to clean up if these animals have an accident?

James Lucarelli, DPM, New Bedford, MA

Source For Dehydrated Alcohol

We have been trying to get dehydrated alcohol for sclerosing injections for neuroma, and have not been able to find it. Does anyone have a source for it?
 
Jessica R. Brent, DPM, Mansfield, OH

Query: Getting Exempt or Penalized from eRx

This week I sent an eRx for a patient. I am pretty sure that this patient needed the medication, but I am not so sure that I would have given it to him if there was no eRx incentive. That is enough for me. I have to get out of that program. Can someone tell me what steps I have to take to remove myself from this program without incurring a penalty? Is it possible?

Name Withheld by Moderator

Response: There is no opt out that I am aware of, short of opting out of the entire Medicare program. There are exemptions, however. You need 10 eRxs by June. That is approximately 1.5 prescriptions a month. If you do not write that many, then there is an exemption that you can file for.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

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RE: Metatarsus Adductus in 14 Month Old (Edmond F. Mertzenich, DPM)
From: Mort Wittenberg, DPM, Michael Forman, DPM

See if the Brachman splint is still available. I treated several cases like this with good results.

Mort Wittenberg, DPM, Evans, GA, mwittenberg3@comcast.net
 
I have seen metatarsus adductus improve spontaneously during the first year. This is very rare. The question should be: Is it worth waiting to see if he child might improve? I don't think so. The problem here is that the child is ambulating, which makes treatment more difficult. Tom Sgarlato taught that there was a condition called forefoot adductus, which occurs at the midtarsal joint and is more reducible than metatarsus adductus which occurs either in the metatarsal shaft of the tarso-metataral joint.

Most cases of internal tibial torsion and internal femoral torsion respond in time. The question is how to treat a metatarsus adductus at this age. Casting is definitely...

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

RE: Bunionectomy Complication (Alan Berman, DPM)
From: Juliet Burk, DPM

I have successfully used EPAT treatments to break up post-operative adhesions and improve post-op ROM. It doesn't take many treatments - sometimes as few as two. You can contact the company to find a provider using the machine in your area. It's a great conservative option.

Juliet Burk, DPM, Muskogee, OK, julietburk@gmail.com

RE: S/P Fracture Left Ankle (Philip Graham, DPM)
From: Ron Werter, DPM
 
Of course she would have pain with weight-bearing after less than 2 weeks. Dr. Graham didn't mention her body size and conditioning. If she can be compliant with using crutches for non-weight-bearing for the next 3-4 weeks, even with the 4 nicotines per day, it should do well without surgery. It all depends on how well you trust her, which is also the case if you do surgery. Also, have her stop smoking. A bone stimulator also helps, if you can get one for her.
 
Ron Werter, DPM, NY, NY, Hawkeyedpm@aol.com

RE: More Awards For Podiatric Research
From: Peter Vannucchi, DPM

Podiatry Management is to be commended for its recognition of America's most influential podiatrists. Their hard work and devotion have illuminated our profession and serve as an inspiration for all of us.

Awards have a purpose. They are the “carrots” to encourage activity of some sort that the donor feels is important. Sometimes, they can be just “congratulations” for a job well done. So why aren't there more awards available to podiatric foot and ankle surgeons for a job well done?

Let's say a monetary grant ($2,000) for a topic or clinical research that...

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

Codingline & PM News
In conjunction with AAPPM Present
The Greenbrier Coding & Practice Management Workshop - August 20-22
(Following the 2012 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC)  

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

Speakers: Harry Goldsmith, John Guiliana, Barry Block, Michael Brody, Paul Kesselman, Jonathan Moore, Rem Jackson, Chad Schwarz, and other nationally-known authorities. 

PROGRAM NOW POSTED

Click Here for information or to Register

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTH NEW JERSEY

Great practice for sale, lease it, work in practice, rent-free first year, associateship possible. Must have NJ licensure have own TIN participation for Horizon, Cigna, Aetna, etc. Retiring. Anyone is welcome to make offer or come up with other ideas. Contact footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - AUSTIN TEXAS

Great opportunity for new practitioner or an additional office. 18 year practice with large patient base. Current physician transitioning to part time then retiring to pursue another business opportunity. Start turn-key without need for a bank loan. Great area to live and work. Susieintx@aol.com (512) 565-6634

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ATLANTA, GEORGIA AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES

Village Podiatry Centers, LLC: Immediate openings for board eligible or certified, 3-4 year trained surgical physicians. Equity based model, Excellent salary and benefits to start depending on qualifications. (Average physician salary is 2-3 times industry median salary).Full benefits included. Access to practice owned surgery centers, pathology lab, imaging center(s), and other in house ancillaries. Very selective process: must be flexible, well trained, and must participate in our "Physician Training Program." You live off income and retire off wealth! Serious inquiries only! E-mail: David N. Helfman, DPM, FACFAS at dhelfman@vpcenters.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS, PART TIME - CA & TX

California- San Diego, San Jose, Los Angeles; Texas- Houston, Dallas. The duties include: Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis using Pinpointe Laser in our facilities. Office hours are 9am-9pm 7 days a week; schedule for shifts is very flexible. Email CV to ofer@lasernailtherapy.com
 
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SENIOR CARE DIVISION - ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Village Podiatry Centers, LLC: Immediate openings for physicians who are interested in caring for the elderly in nursing homes throughout Georgia.  Full time position. Excellent salary, benefits, and opportunity for growth. Must understand the coding/billing process and have excellent documentation skills. You don't have to be board certified in foot or ankle surgery for this position.  
If interested, please contact Dr. Helfman at dhelfman@vpcenters.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ILLINOIS

Established, progressive, busy Chicago practice seeking PSR 24/36 individual with good people skills to join 3 man group. Senior Associate retiring. Excellent opportunity leading to partnership for energetic, motivated, ethical professional. Submit CV to JAF@APLfeet.com

PHYSICIAN FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH DIVISION - ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Village Podiatry Centers, LLC: If you have experience in running clinical research trials and would like a full time position in managing and overseeing multiple clinical research trials for our growing group, please contact Dr. Helfman @ dhelfman@vpcenters.com. Excellent salary, benefits and equity opportunity for the right individual.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Podiatrist needed for busy state-of-the-art offices in Manhattan. Offices are located near Penn and Grand Central Station. Along with CV, please provide medical plans that you are currently participating in. Please forward your information to roni@myfcny.com

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 - TENNESSEE/NORTH GEORGIA

Multi-physician, Multi-office practice looking for motivated new associate leading to partnership. We are a busy practice with state of the art technology: EHR, Digital X-ray, Diagnostic Ultrasound, PADnet, EPAT machine. Applicant should be PMS 36/Board Qualified/Certified. Applicant should be ethical, personable, hard working and interested in providing all aspects of podiatric care to our patients. Competitive Salary and benefits. All interested candidates please send a CV with two letters of reference tomybestnewjob@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PART TIME - OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Looking for PSR 24/36, board eligible preferred. Busy podiatric practice with up to date EMR & practice management program. Practice currently offers digital x-rays, ultrasounds, vascular studies and laser treatment. Good mix of general podiatry, wound care and surgery. Must be ethical, hardworking and committed to quality patient care. NJ license needed. Competitive salary and benefits. Send cover letter and resume to: AOKNDPM@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NEW YORK

Surgical based, multi-office practice in Upstate New York looking for a highly motivated podiatrist to join our group. Base salary plus incentive. Opportunity for growth. Email resume and cover letter to: professionalfootcare@live.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SEATTLE, WA AREA

Established podiatric clinic looking for an associate to join our team, 5 offices located around the greater Seattle, WA area. Great base salary, benefits and friendly work environment. Please send resume to: seattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Looking for 3rd associate. Must be personable, well trained and highly motivated. Great locations in Southern Maryland, including an Ambulatory Surgical Center. We currently have EHR, digital radiography, dispensing center and PADNet. Looking for immediate hire! Please send CV to: myfeetfeet@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Kansas City may be the perfect move for you and your family. I am looking for an entrepreneurial minded associate who wants to grow and then own part of an already successful practice. If you are the right candidate for this associate position, you will enjoy a competitive compensation package and you will be working with a doctor who is as committed to your success as he is his own. Go to: www.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.

ASSOCIATE - ST. LOUIS, MO

Multi-location group practice seeks motivated DPM with initiative and leadership skills to contribute to our growing group practice. Foot Healers Podiatry Group enjoys a strong reputation within St. Louis and looking for the right individual to complement our team. Must have the confidence to lead you own clinic and the willingness to draw on the expertise that exists within our group. Starting salary ($100k), plus incentive comp plan, malpractice coverage, health insurance, 401k, group bonus/profit sharing. Please send CV to jmurray@foothealers.com and visit our website www.foothealers.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - MULTIPLE STATES

Podiatrist Needed in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Expanding multi-state medical practice seeking podiatrists to service long-term care community residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We offer an established patient base, scheduling, equipment allowance and cover travel expenses. Provide generous compensation, bonus opportunities, disability, health insurance benefits, malpractice coverage and flexible scheduling. Looking for a Podiatrist with excellent skills, able to provide expert and compassionate care to patients. Email CV to: careers@aggeus.org or call 773-770-0140 x300/x305.  www.aggeus.org

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 DPM's and Students

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