The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

May 03, 2007 #2,927 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Feet Deserve More Respect: FL Podiatrist

Dr. Robert Tinsley believes feet deserve some respect. The Viera, FL podiatrist, who is witness to the abuse people tend to give their feet, is campaigning for those two essential extremities. "It's been my experience that people don't pay much attention to their feet until something is wrong with them," Tinsley said.

Dr. Robert Tinsley

We may floss our teeth and check our eyesight regularly, but feet usually don't get much preventive maintenance, beyond a perfunctory wash between the toes. Not that cleanliness isn't next to godliness in the foot department. "Washing between the toes every day can prevent chronic infections," Tinsley said.

Source: Maria Sonnenberg, Florida Today, [5/1/07]

IL Podiatrists Combine Foot Screenings With Advocacy Effort

Dr. Joseph Borreggine of Charleston participated in the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association’s Lobbying Day on April 18th , in Springfield. Podiatrists from more than 20 cities in Illinois combined their advocacy efforts with foot care screenings in an effort to demonstrate their value to legislators and staff.

“Podiatrists are known for giving back to the community, whether it's charitable care or participating in community health fairs,” said IPMA president John Wray, DPM, Downers Grove, IL. “So our foot care screenings are a natural outgrowth of that.”

Dr. John Wray

While podiatrists provided screenings for legislators and their staff, for bunions, early signs of diabetes, hammer toes and ingrown toe nails, they also discussed a range of legislative issues of concern to podiatrists.

IPMA is supporting HB 460 and HB 126, which will improve the wording and extend the Podiatric Medical Practice Act for ten years, until January 1, 2018.

Source: Journal Gazette Times Courier [5/1/07]

Profiling System to Track Doc Efficiency Suggested

The CMS should develop a system that identifies individual physicians with inefficient practice patterns and use the information to improve the efficiency of the Medicare program, according to a Government Accountability Office report. Such a profiling system may include financial or other incentives for physicians to improve the efficiency of the care they provide.

The CMS already has a comprehensive repository of Medicare claims data to compute reliable efficiency measures for most Medicare physicians, the report stated. Implementing other strategies to encourage efficiency would likely require legislation. However, the CMS “may not currently have the flexibility that other purchasers have to link physician profiling results to a range of incentives encouraging efficiency,” the GAO concluded. The agency agreed with most of the recommendations.

Source: Jennifer Lubel, Modern Healthcare [5/1/07]

Query: Preserving Uric Acid Aspirant For Lab Analysis

What means are being used to submit joint aspirant for suspected gout? Our lab suggests submitting in 100% (absolute) alcohol, but I'm unable to locate this product.

Gary Hoberman, DPM, Chicago, IL

Query: Printing Progress Notes From a PDA

I am in the market for a new PDA and I would like to stay with any one of several types of Treos. I am open to either the Palm software or the Windows Pocket PC. Does anyone know of an easy way to take progress notes with the PDA using templates or other programs and print them directly to a printer? What combination of program, PDA and printer do you use to accomplish this?

Michael Zapf, DPM, Los Angeles, CA

RE: Podiatrists and Correct Spellings
From: Mike Boxer, DPM

It is driving me crazy every time I see pruritus misspelled. The correct spelling of the word is PRURITUS. Pruritis is not correct. It is never correct and it should never be spelled that way. If you use your spell checker it will come up misspelled.

And while I'm on the subject, the other incorrect term that our profession has adopted is SHOE GEAR. The correct terms are footwear, shoes, or foot gear. The word gear means equipment so that when used with the word shoe as in "shoe gear" it refers to or means shoelaces, aglets, eyelets, buckles, etc. but not footwear. Please, let's get that incorrect term out of the podiatric vocabulary and let's start spelling pruritus correctly.

Mike Boxer, DPM, Woodmere, NY,mcbdpm@aol.com

RE: Cash Only Practices (Earl Cherniak, DPM)
From: Dennis Hershey, DPM

I completely disagree with his suggestion that we go to a cash only practice suggested in Dr. Earl L. Cherniak's article on "Adapting to a Challenging Healthcare Environment" (April ‘07 PM) . I am a typical podiatrist practicing out of the same location in Brooklyn, NY for 29 years. I have a varied general practice working solo. In the Podiatry Management's surveys I always come out in the middle of the chart. In short, I am Mr. Average and I feel I can speak for the majority of podiatrists and if they took Dr. Cherniak's advice they would end up in bankruptcy court.

There are simply not enough patients willing to pay fees to keep us all in practice. Unfortunately, overhead costs are brutal today and cash paying patients are few and far between. They also do not want to pay high fees for elective surgery or other high profit items. Virtually every podiatrist in practice can tell stories of how patients seem to adore them and once the patient changes their insurance to a plan that the doctor does not participate in, they become ex-patients.

The first question often asked by many new patients is "Are you in my plan?" Most of us have a hard enough time collecting co-payments and deductibles. An all cash practice would be impossible. Dr. Cherniak's advice to cut overhead by sharing office space with another podiatrist or professional is usually undesirable or not practical. His statement alluding to the large reduction of practice overhead if one stops taking, Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance is not correct. The majority of one's overhead is from fixed expenses not variable ones.

So what can the average podiatrist due to challenge the healthcare environment? One realistic way is to stop taking insurance plans that pay very poorly if they are a small part of total revenue. If no one will accept these plans, they would cease to exist or raise their payments to us.

Dennis Hershey, DPM, Brooklyn, NY, DHers32832@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION NEW YORK CITY

Excellent opportunity for foot/ankle surgeon, Manhattan and Brooklyn Associate position leading to possible partnership. Requirements: Two years enrollment in a surgical residency program Qualities of self-motivation and impeccable skills in forefoot and rear-foot surgery. Package Includes: Malpractice insurance, Health Insurance plus salary, Incentives. Terms negotiable Email CV to Manfootcare@aol.com 212-349-7676

PRACTICE FOR SALE – OHIO – SOUTHEASTERN

Reputable, thriving, well-rounded practice available with EMR. Grossing over $320K over the last 3 years. Priced to sell. Owner relocating. Email inquiries and CV to podsx@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN KENTUCKY

Southern Kentucky's largest and most respected foot and ankle group is looking for an associate to start in July 07. An amazing opportunity to grow with an established four provider practice on beautiful Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Very competitive salary/bonus with a buy in opportunity will be offered. Established satellite offices will make for immediate patient base ready to be nourished and grown by a friendly, well-trained associate. Excellent benefit package. Lexington, KK is 1.5 hours North while Nashville, Tennessee is 2.5 hours South. Please fax CV to 606-679-4626.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BOSTON, MA

20 year old, well established, modern practice with 2 locations just out of Boston, looking for associate, P/T or F/T, motivated 24/36 trained or ABPS-Certified or eligible to start immediately. Strong surgically-based practice. Looking for motivated individual, able to practice all facets of podiatry practiced. Electronic scanning for orthotics and voice activated EMR already in office. Fax CV to (617) 567-0822

ASSOCIATE POSITION-YORK, PA

Excellent opportunity for PSR/24-/36 residency trained podiatrist to join 32 year established podiatric practice. Partnership opportunity. All aspects of podiatry, surgical, biomechanical and general podiatry. State of the art practice with up-to-date facility. Call and speak to Troy Wentling office manager or fax CV to 717-854-6519 or e-mail to beechtreepod@aol.com

MICHIGAN- DETROIT NORTHWEST SUBURBS

Associate/Partner wanted for busy group practice. Opportunity for exceptional pay and benefits for hard working, well-trained person of integrity. Enjoy full scope of practice while working with progressive and team oriented colleagues. Historically patient flow has allowed for obtaining enough cases for boards in less than 2 years. PSR-24/36 or practice experience needed. Please e-mail resume to nmoz@aol.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED – NEW YORK IMMEDIATE OPENING

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

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established practice in Mt. Airy, NC that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away, leaving approximately 3,500 patients. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in a busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER RESIDENCY PGY1 AND PGY2 NEW POSITIONS

Detroit Medical Center PM&S-36 program is accepting applications for additional PGY1 and PGY2 slots. The DMC and Wayne State University Medical School sponsors 900+ residents. Highlighted rotations include: Orthopedic Trauma, Pediatric Orthopedics, and Plastic Surgery. With over 100 attendings, surgical volume is tremendous. Please call Beverly at 248.651.0162 if interested.

PODIATRIC SURGEON POSITION – DES MOINES, IA

Full-time position available in busy county hospital-based foot and ankle group. Two year residency trained, BE/BQ, minimum. Private practice experience preferred. Competitive salary and benefit package. Inquiries to: Denise Mandi, DPM, Section Chief Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, IA. dmandi@broadlawns.org

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

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA- PRACTICE FOR SALE

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

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