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PMNews
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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 15,821 Podiatrists Daily
May 17, 2014 #5,061  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2014- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
LAST DAY TO VOTE
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| APMA STATE COMPONENT NEWS | |
FPMA Welcomes New Executive Director
David B. Higgins, CAE was selected as the new Executive Director of the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) in January, 2014, replacing Michael Schwartz, who served as the FPMA Executive Director for the past 18 years.
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David B. Higgins, CAE |
Mr. Higgins is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and has over 16 years’ experience in management, marketing, communications, and customer service in both the corporate sector and non-profits/associations. He is highly experienced in operational and team management, with an emphasis on organizational communications.
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| HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
Two MI Podiatrists Join Garden City Hospital Staff
Garden City Hospital’s medical staff is growing with the addition of two new physicians. Joining the staff are: Dr. Lawrence S. Singer is board certified in podiatric surgery. For more than 28 years, he has been treating patients of all ages and focusing on the medical and surgical treatment of foot disorders. Dr. Singer believes prevention is the key when dealing with diseases such as diabetes or circulatory problems.
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Drs. Jeffrey Singer and Jeffrey Cramblett |
Dr. Jeffrey G. Cramblett is board certified in podiatric surgery and is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the Michigan Podiatric Medical Association, and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Source: Birmingham Eccentric [5/15/14]
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| PODIATRISTS AND FOOTWEAR | |
NY Podiatrist Discusses Best Summer Shoes for Bunions and Hammertoes
Do you have bunions or corns on your feet? Podiatrist Dr. Suzanne Levine, author of My Feet are Killing Me, suggests the best pair of shoes for three women, who each suffer from a different foot condition.
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Dr. Suzanne Levine |
"For bunions, women should be wearing shoes with thick straps. These hide the bunion. Shoes should also have adequate cushioning under the ball of the foot," says Levine. For hammertoes, Levine recommends a shoe with an expansive toe box.
Source: Boston.com via The Doctors [5/14/14]
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| PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW | |
VA Podiatrist to Plead Guilty in Voyeurism Case
A former Richmond foot doctor intends to plead guilty to a charge of voyeurism, court documents show in a notice filed Wednesday. Brian J. Altman, 37 was arrested in December 2012 on a warrant charging him with voyeurism (a Class D felony), after authorities said they located evidence that Altman placed a video camera on a supply shelf in the employee restroom at his former Chester Boulevard office. Altman remains in the Wayne County Jail without bond and faces a sentence ranging from six months to three years in prison.
Source: Palladium [5/15/14]
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| HEALTHCARE NEWS | |
Health Insurance Giants to Make Payment Data Accessible to Public
A new initiative by three of the country's largest health plans has the potential to transform the accessibility of claims payment data, according to healthcare finance experts. UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Humana announced a partnership on Wednesday with the Health Care Cost Institute to create a payment database that will be available to the public for free.
Experts say cost transparency is being spurred by a number of developments in the healthcare sector. The trend towards high-deductible plans is giving consumers a greater incentive to understand how much healthcare costs and to utilize it more efficiently. In addition, the launch of the exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has brought unprecedented attention to the difficulties faced by individuals in shopping for insurance coverage.
Source: Paul Demko, Modern Healthcare [5/14/14]
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ACE USA and RPS Healthcare Expand Podiatrist Professional Liability Coverage
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid guidelines and rules resulted in a record number of investigations and enforcement actions in 2011. ACE Medical Risk, a division of ACE USA, has responded through an endorsement that increases limits on Medicare/Medicaid legal expense reimbursements, raising coverage limits from $30,000 to $50,000 per action, with an annual aggregate of $50,000. This product is underwritten by companies within the ACE Group, an A.M. Best “A+” rated carrier, and is offered to podiatrists exclusively by RPS Healthcare, National Program Administrator of the Podiatry PLUS programs and one of the largest wholesalers and the largest Managing General Agent in the country. For more information Call 800-397-9697 ext 2646.
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| CODINGLINE CORNER | |
Query: Prescheduling Patients for Painful Nail/Callus Treatment
Is there a "rule" with Medicare that precludes rescheduling an appointment in 62 days for those patients who are provided treatment for nails or calluses with the secondary diagnosis of pain as we do for those with qualifying systemic conditions (i.e., diabetes)? I remember there being discussion about this in conferences, and the argument was that if a person comes in complaining of painful nails and treatment is rendered to relieve the pain, then how can one justify prescheduling that patient for 62 days for painful nails?
We have always made it a practice to make these patients a "prn return" telling them to call when they need treatment again. I have been asked by upper management to provide documentation showing that this is a guideline that Medicare has. Can anyone help with this, or did I just dream up this rationale?
Tonia Silva, Office Manager, Office of Alanna Wargula, DPM, Lakeport, CA
Response: Medicare allows reimbursement of "at risk" qualified routine foot care - i.e., palliative foot care - every 61 days (60 day edit cycle). "At risk" qualified routine foot care is NOT symptom-dependent. If the patient qualifies systemically and/or through class findings, trimming or debridement of nails, and trimming or debridement of calluses/corns are covered.
Medicare also allows reimbursement for debridement of mycotic nails when there is evidence (clinical observation will do) of onychomycosis and either pain associated with the nail(s) or limitation in ambulation as a direct result of the nail(s) or a secondary infection (bacterial) as a direct result of the nail(s). Primarily, it is onychomycosis, thick nail(s), and pain of nail(s) that qualifies coverage. "At risk" conditions/qualifiers need not apply.
There is no restriction to your prescheduling patients to return for "at risk" qualified routine foot care 61 days from the last appointment for routine foot care. You CANNOT, however, preschedule someone either in anticipation of or to avoid future pain. Patients need to schedule an appointment when they report pain associated with mycotic nails [needing debridement]. You are correct in having the patients re-appoint "PRN". The information above is located in National Coverage Determination, some MACs' LCDs, and CMS MLN Matters articles on routine foot care.
Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA
Codingline subscription information can be found here
APMA Members: Click here for your free Codingline Silver subscription
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) | |
From: Robert S. Schwartz, CPed
Check the non-surgical shoes she is wearing to determine if they are too flexible, too narrow, too short, and increasing the force on her fifth toe. An effective modification is to put a rocker sole on her shoes to reduce motion during propulsion. A lateral wedge or flare can also be added to relieve shear and motion. Rigid sole sandals may provide the most relief.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) | |
RE: Hawaii's Scope of Practice
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM
I recently read on the APMA website that Hawaii had increased its scope of practice. The following blurb was stated on APMA's website: (edited version below)
The podiatric scope of practice in Hawaii now includes surgical treatment of the muscles and tendons of the leg that govern functions of the foot, and amputations up to and including the ankle. The podiatrist must:
1) complete at least a two-year residency; or
2) have completed at least a one-year residency if they graduated from podiatric medical school before January 1, 2004, actively practiced in another state for 10 years, and hold a current license to practice in another state.
I am happy that scopes of practice are being increased. I am curious how individual states can arbitrarily make up the rules for the increase in scope. How does anyone suppose Hawaii came up with the arbitrary year of 2004? Does anyone know if Hawaii mandated the type of podiatric residency? Did it have to be a PSR? Could it have been a POR? A RPR?
If someone who did not perform a residency (as even in today's times, this is definitely a possibility) but was fortunate enough to train alongside someone trained in ankle procedures (perhaps in an externship), would this completely disqualify them from this scope? Shouldn't there be a mechanism in place for one to prove competency?
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (IN THE COURTS) | |
From: Joseph Borreggine, DPM
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Supplier Standard #7 Signs |
This is good way way to follow the supplier standard #7 under DME guidelines. This prevents you from having issues if you ever have a surprise visit from a DME investigator. Also, update your hours of operation on PECOS as well to reflect any hours of operation change and include your lunch break.
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 1
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Don Peacock, DPM
I agree with Craig Payne and his take on the lawsuit. His statements are completely accurate. However, the initial story included comments by podiatrist Simon Speight who stated, "They are consistent with harm-causing features of footwear," he said. "Running shoes, by their very nature of design, are there to prevent injuries from happening and to improve performance. All of our theories, for the most part, restrict movement in the foot; that's what tends to help."
Dr. Speight's comments are not completely inaccurate, however, they are...
Editor's note: Dr. Peacock's extended-length letter can be read here.
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 2
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| CLASSIFIED ADS |
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY - INDIANA/HAITI
Introducing a first of its kind Podiatric Continuing Educational Opportunity! International Mission Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Continuing Educational Opportunity will be split between Haiti and Indiana. Two opportunities are being offered. Includes salary, free housing in Haiti and Indiana, malpractice insurance and Indiana license, APMA and IPMA membership dues. Contact: Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM (padeheer@sbcglobal.net) 317-557-6710
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA
Multi office location looking to add a well-trained podiatrist. Must be comfortable with foot and ankle trauma, diabetic wound and reconstruction. We have high volume offices and are looking for someone who can work independently and possess a great bed side manor. We offer a competitive salary and other benefits. Send CV to beachpodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO/CENTRAL ILLINOIS
Full & Part-time IMMEDIATE opportunity to provide care to residents in long-term care throughout Illinois. FT position includes health, disability, 401, auto/travel expenses. Full-time candidate must be willing to travel specified times during the month, or be located in central or downstate IL. Part-time opportunity offers very flexible scheduling. We have a 30 year history of providing exceptional care with appropriate reimbursement. Join our great team. Email queries/resumes to gh@podiatryplus.net
ASSOCIATE POSITION - BROOKLYN, NY
Podiatrist needed for busy Brooklyn practice. Must be at least Board Qualified. Surgical background, hard working, motivated and personable. Travel to multiple offices in Brooklyn required. Part-time to start, with the potential for full time and partnership. Please email CV to drbreth@progressivepodiatryny.com or fax to 718-840-0653.
HOME FOOT CARE, INC. - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Looking for reliable, honest, and motivated podiatrists to join our group to assist with house calls to patient’s home residences, and some group facilities. Candidate must be willing to drive throughout the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area. Part/Full time, flexible hours, independence, great compensation! If interested, please email resume to: homefootcare@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - HOUSTON
Established "modern" practice looking for BC/BE podiatrist to take advantage of a unique opportunity. Located in a highly desirable area with good surgical volume, access to DME, lasers and expanding referral base with full time marketer. Not currently doing hospital work, minimal rearfoot surgery, no nursing homes or routine care. Prefer at least 2 years experience although qualified recent grads welcome. Salary plus bonus available, partnership after 1 year if criteria met. Send resume/CV to faajobs@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - PHILADELPHIA
Great full time opportunity for a surgically trained podiatrist in a 2-office full spectrum practice. Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. You are highly motivated, board qualified and have great communication skills. Opportunity for a buy in / partnership in 2 years. Send cover letter and CV to info@qualityfootcare.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Immediate associate position available. Applicant should be personal, self-motivated and independent. Will provide diabetic treatments, biomechanical exams, minor office procedures, major surgical corrections, in-home care. Great surgical growth potential. Competitive compensation package. Send letter of intent and CV to admin@blaskodpm.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE FOR GROUP PODIATRY PRACTICE - MARYLAND
Perfect opportunity for highly motivated podiatric surgeon with excellent clinical skills. Individual must be proficient with inpatient management as well as outpatient wound clinic. Competitive compensation package which includes base salary and bonus structure. Please email letter of interest and CV to podiatryassociate2995@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - WESTERN PA
Seeking associate with partnership availability. Must be highly motivated and have good patient skills and personality. Established practice with all aspects of podiatric surgery, wound care and medicine. Completive salary with paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401K, bonus structure and partnership. Send CV/resume to fawcpa@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE WANTED - SW FLORIDA
R U a superstar for immediate start. Southwest FL group looking or BC or BQ podiatric physician for dynamic and growing practice. Great starting salary, benefits and surgery volume. FL license a must. Send CV and why you are a superstar. mny1029@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - HUDSON VALLEY REGION, NY
Hudson Valley Foot Associates has a great opportunity available! We’re a high-volume, diversified, multi-office group practice utilizing state-of-the-art modalities. Great growth for a personable and motivated DPM. Please visit www.hvfa.com and forward cover letter with CV to info@hvfa.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - FINGER LAKES, NY
Established busy practice seeking full-time associate. All facets of podiatry including office, hospital and surgery center privileges. Very competitive and generous salary/benefit package. Live, work and play in scenic Fingers Lakes region of NY. One of the top public school systems. Please e-mail CV and 2 letters of recommendation to docmerk@mac.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Excellent, long-term opportunity for ethical and motivated individual. Established practice featuring all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery located in a nice, affordable city. Competitive salary with benefits and bonus structure. EMR, PadNet and diagnostic ultrasound. Position available immediately or will work with your schedule. E-mail CV to: Dr.fine@finefootcarecenter.com.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE - BUFFALO AND CONNECTICUT
Looking for podiatrists to see residents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in Buffalo and Connecticut. Immediate openings available. Great opportunity for supplemental or full time income. Email inquiries to phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH JERSEY - IMMEDIATE OPENING
Exceptional opportunity for a full time, surgically trained podiatrist to join our busy, well rounded, two office practice, covering all aspects of podiatry. Do you enjoy surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic care, biomechanics, children, elderly and all ages in between, WE SEE IT ALL! We are also a hospital-based practice that is affiliated with a residency program. You are highly motivated, personable, have great communication skills and are looking for an opportunity for a future buy-in/partnership. If this describes you, please send cover letter and CV to superstarstaff1@gmail.com In the subject line of email, please write, "I am your next great associate.”
ASSOCIATE POSITION – LOS ANGELES, CA
Part time/Full time associate position opening in July/August this year in Los Angeles area. Will be working with seniors in an HMO clinic setting as independent contractor. Multiple locations. No nursing homes or calls. No billing necessary. Positive attitude and friendly demeanor a must. Send CV toeric.chen@caremore.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTH OF BOSTON
Looking for podiatry associate hard working with a busy schedule. 4 office locations with all the amenities. EMR, nerve treatments for neuropathy, vascular testing the works. Big focus on sports medicine, wound care and surgery. Lots more but would like to discuss with the right candidate. Mitchellwachtel@ yahoo.com
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – NY
Two Midmark 417 Power Programmable Podiatry Exam Chairs light blue with patient screen, mauve with surgical tray. Completely functional, very good condition. Matching cabinets available, one mobile. Hydrotherapy mobile 45 gallon extremity whirlpool tub excellent condition available for immediate pick-up. For pictures or more information contact info@newyorkfai.com
UNMATCHED GRADUATE WANTED – ST. LOUIS
Seeking an unmatched graduate for employment in podiatry practice in suburban St. Louis. The recent grad would be given the opportunity to experience and learn all the roles and challenges associated with a modern podiatry practice. Salary: 25K. Interested candidate should respond via email to: CJA137@gmail.com.
PRACTICE FOR SALE – CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
Perfect opportunity to purchase a practice in an ideal location. Office is located in a busy town center shopping and dining complex. Modern and fully equipped office in a building with other medical professionals. Easily accessible to major roadways and highways with visible signage at busy intersection. Excellent potential for increased revenue in a great town to own a practice. Owner financing may be available to qualified buyer. Serious inquiries only to healthnet708@gmail.com.
PRACTICE FOR SALE/ASSOCIATE POSITION- NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Excellent low cost opportunity to work part or full-time. Growth potential for increased cash revenue & services. For Sale or Associate opportunity for buyout. 22 year established practice. Two full days per week grossing 150+K. Low overhead. Minimal CNC/Medicare. Must sell, 50K obo, financing available. Reply lowcost990@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - LOS ANGELES CA
Located in Boyle Heights. It has been grossing 200k-250K last 5 years part time. 3 fully equipped podiatry rooms, PadNet, Fluoroscopy, ND YAG Laser, Autoclave, Tons of podiatry instruments, and EMR. Also will include 4 small Nursing homes in Santa Monica area. Current doctor does not do any Marketing and only relies on referrals from PCPs and Vascular MDs in the area. Must sell quickly.Priced at 85K. Please email only footdoc525@yahoo.com
PM News Classified Ads Reach over 15,500 DPMs and Students
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 15,500 DPMs. for details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451
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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.
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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
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