The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,900 Podiatrists Daily

May 10, 2008 #3,242 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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SC Podiatrist Provides For Summer Foot Health

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Our feet take a lot of abuse. We use them constantly to take us wherever we need to go. In return for such faithful service, don't they deserve a little tender loving care? Dr. Joseph J. Menn of Coastal Podiatry in Myrtle Beach gave some tips on foot care at a recent seminar at HealthFinders.

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Dr. Joseph Menn

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When people change from closed shoes to sandals and other open footgear, don't forget that feet can sunburn quickly, he said. "Use sunscreen on parts that have been covered all winter long so you don't burn right away. Skin cancer is very prevalent in the South, and it is important that you put sunscreen on your feet because they are pointing straight up into the sun. It is especially important to do this until you get a little color going, otherwise they will burn to a crisp."

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Menn also mentioned the harmful effects of exposure to saltwater and chlorine. "Being in the water causes the skin to dry out, so using moisturizer on your skin, especially the feet, will keep them from drying and cracking. Chemicals around the pool deck will dry feet out tremendously. Put some moisturizer on your feet and be nice to them after being on them all day."

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Source: Greta Burroughs, Sun News [5/7/08]

OCPM Student Receives Michael L. Stone Award

OCPM 4th year student Shirley Catoire has been awarded the Michael L. Stone Award through the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. The award is given in honor of Michael L. Stone, DPM who passed away suddenly in 2004. The Michael L. Stone Award is given to a graduating senior from each podiatric medical school who demonstrates outstanding professional conduct.

Student Dr. Shirley Catoire

Shirley was nominated to receive the award by the surgery faculty at OCPM. The award was presented to Shirley at the 2008 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Conference in Long Beach, CA. As part of the award, Shirley received a $2,000 scholarship and a plaque.
Source: OCPM

Shaky Economy Prompts a Slow Migration to Low-Cost Health Insurance Coverage

Carriers that offer health coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) say enrollees are beginning to migrate to low-premium options as a result of the economic slump. By far the largest player in the federal insurance program is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Federal Employee Program (FEP). The plan says it added 55,000 contracts (110,000 lives) for the 2008 plan year — an enrollment increase of about 2.3%. The bulk of this year's enrollment growth was in FEP's Basic Option, a low-premium plan that does not offer out-of-network benefits. The more costly Standard Option is a PPO that includes out-of-network benefits. Enrollment in that plan grew by 13,261 contracts (less than 1%). Employees with single coverage, for example, will pay $1,017 in 2008 for the Basic Option — about $600 less a year than they will pay for the Standard Option.

"In looking at the market and economy, I think this could be a harbinger of a trend," says Deb Shepard, FEP executive director for business development and benefits administration. "People are starting to be a lot more cost sensitive. The biggest trend that all carriers are likely to see going forward is price sensitivity. So we need to be very careful about cost increases and sustaining affordability." Shepard adds that efforts by the federal government to attract a younger work force are "only going to exacerbate the issue" because young, healthy people often don't see much value in costly health benefits.

Source: Steve Davis, Health Plan Week [5/9/08]

Query: Traumeel for Capsulitis/Plantar Plate Injuries

Is the homeopathic injectable Traumeel appropriate for intra-articular injections for 2nd MPJ capsulitis/plantar plate injuries? I recently received samples and would be interested in its use for this indication since steroids are not indicated for this condition.

Neil Levin, DPM, Sycamore, IL

Query: Total Contact Casting with Wound Care

I utilize total contact casting in the wound center where I work with good results. Can I bill for application of total contact cast along with one of the "advanced" wound treatments, such as application of Dermagraft? Specifically, application of Dermagraft has a 90-day global. AFTER application of the Dermagraft, can I continue the weekly total contact casts, and still be reimbursed?

R. Alex Dellinger, DPM, Little Rock, AR

Response: I would think that a cast applied at the same time as another procedure will be considered incidental to the principle procedure. This is similiar to the application of a casts when doing bunion surgery or fracture repair. For subsequent casts, those would be payable per medical necessity with a "-58" (staged) modifier.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

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RE: HEDIS Audits (Robert Wunderlich, DPM)
From: Neal Frankel, DPM

There is really nothing specific with podiatry that is measured by the HEDIS scale/guidelines. One of the guidelines has to do with eye exams for diabetics. (Why they never required a foot exam for diabetics, I will never know.) The only thing I can think of is if these patients may be diabetics, and they may be looking to see if an eye exam was performed. However, there is a good possibility that they think these records are not just podiatric records, but are shared with the other specialties of the clinic.

Neal Frankel, DPM, Chicago, IL, DRNRF@aol.com

RE: Selling Athletic Shoes (Chris Milkie, DPM)
From: Robert M. Gaynor, DPM, Ira Meyers, DPM

Dia-Foot offers this program with the New Balance line of shoes. We have set up multiple offices with New Balance shoes for both retail and for the diabetic shoe program. New Balance offers running shoes, cross-trainer shoes, and athletic running shoes, to name a few. New Balance's niche is that they offer up to 6 widths on some of their shoes, something their competitors do not offer.

Robert M. Gaynor, DPM, President Dia-Foot, NAILCUTTER@aol.com

I strongly recommend against selling athletic shoes in the office. I get many referrals from running shoe stores and the last thing I want to do is ruin that referral source.

Ira Meyers, DPM, Huntingdon Valley, PA, idmrun@aol.com

RE: IPS (Jeffrey Gewirtz, DPM)
From: Harold B. Glickman, DPM, Daniel R. Hellman, MD

I have had a very positive experience with IPS. They are a great bunch of people to work with. They are very attentive and provide up-to-the-minute back up. The fact that they are podiatry only and podiatry-owned, makes it that much easier to deal with them. I would recommend them 100%.

Harold B. Glickman, DPM, Past-President, APMA, hbgapma@aol.com

Editor's note: Dr. Hellman's extended-length letter appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=19450&start=1

RE: Employee Timekeeping (Mark A. Aldrich, DPM)
From: Stephen Kinard, DPM, Howard Gale, DPM

Try the "Count Me In" software. It has helped us in our office. It uses fingerprint recognition so employees cannot cheat. It is not very expensive as well. This can also grow with your company.

Stephen Kinard, DPM, Rocky Mount, NC, sgkinard@aol.com

It is much easier to figure your employees' time when it is automatic and efficient. I used Punch Clock (it may be Lion Clock now) for years. It was affordable and user-friendly. You are able to print handy reports for payroll. There was a one-time fee.

Howard Gale, DPM, Rincon, GA. howie@dr-gale.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MANHATTAN & QUEENS

Seeking new Residency graduate for growing three-office practice in Manhattan and Queens, start 07/08/08. Must be PSR-24 trained minimum. Must be ethical, well-trained, vibrant personality and ambitious. Willing to work hard and be a team player. Good base salary plus bonus incentive plan. Guaranteed partnership after one year. No long term employee. Apply only if interested in partnership and if you meet the outlined criteria. Please e-mail resume and cover letter to: hansfeet@aol.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED - KNOXVILLE, TN AREA

Busy multi-doctor, multi office practice heavily weighted in surgery. PSR-24 + experience preferred. Part-time also available. Area consistently ranked in top five areas of country to live, work or retire. Ranked third in country 2008 Boaters magazine for boating destination. First year guarantee $150,000 plus bonuses and benefits. Send cover letter an c.v. to davidphawk@adelphia.net

SEEKING RESIDENT FOR PSR-24 - BALTIMORE, MD (MERCY MC)

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 2008. Includes competitive salary/benefits. Send inquiries to rsher18@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA: PRIME LAKES AREA

Great place to live and raise a family. $400+K yearly gross with continued growth and potential. Good mix of general podiatry & surgery. Hospital privileges available. Fully computerized, electronic notes, with capability to go completely paperless. Recently remodeled office, 5 tx/procedure rooms, well-equipped in owner-occupied building (for sale or lease). 260 402-7490

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA

Well-known practice in Coral Gables,FL for over 20 years. Excellent location on Coral Way with heavy traffic, great visibility and plenty of parking. Busy, fully equipped, full-time office with established patients. Grossing over 300K with tremendous growth potential. Office is currently open and ready to take over immediately. For additional information contact QVAN@aol.com or 305-975-5516.

Beautiful location in the heart of Miracle Mile. Excellent opportunity for a starting practitioner. Most insurances accepted. Good mixture of surgical and general podiatry. Fully equipped with low overhead. Located in a professional building, with referrals from other doctors in the same building. Contact zoesar@aol.com or call 786-877-5149.

LOCUM TENUM COVERAGE - CENTRAL FLORIDA

The Orlando Foot & Ankle Clinic (OFAC) is seeking locum tenum coverage.
OFAC has offices in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Brevard
counties. A covering doctor is needed whenever one of the 13 OFAC doctors is on vacation or attending an educational seminar. If interested, please contact Greg Renton, CEO at 407-423-1234.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Check out San Antonio, Wonderful place to live. Full or part-time podiatrist with current Texas license. Better pay. Unique mobile podiatry practice and mobile wound care clinics, in addition to office locations. Check out our website Fine working conditions with excellent support staff. E-mail Response to footcenter1@sbcglobal.net or fax to 210-495-6484.

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

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, 6 appointment locations, EMR, MRI, Clinical Trials 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 johnreitzelmfa@aol.com

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