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PM News |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 20,000 Subscribers Daily
May 25, 2021 #6,957 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management https://podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2021- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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PM NEWS QUICK POLL |
What percentage of your patient encounters are related to improper footwear?
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AT THE COLLEGES |
CSPM Graduate Prepares for Harvard Medical School Residency
Monique G. Rodriguez, DPM became a doctor of podiatric medicine on Saturday and after completing her residency, plans to return to the Rio Grande Valley to start her practice as a podiatrist and podiatric surgeon to give back to her community. She will graduate from the California School of Podiatric Medicine (CSPM) at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland and attend the Harvard Medical School’s podiatric surgery residency program at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA, becoming the first Latina and only the fourth woman to be in the program.
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Dr. Monique Rodriguez |
“There’s a new school of podiatry opening up at University of Texas Rio Grande School of Medicine (UTRGV), and I hope down the line to be able to teach at the school and have the students rotate through my office and OR to teach the next generation. It’s super exciting,” she said.
Source: Gary Long, The Brownsville Herald [5/22/21]
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PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY |
IA Podiatrist Returns to Open Her Own Practice
Podiatrist Erin Nelson, DPM is happy to be working in Ames again after she recently opened her own practice, Foot and Ankle Specialists of Ames. Nelson worked at McFarland Clinic for eight years and left to work at Des Moines University (DMU) for four years, where she was an assistant professor and the clinical chair of the DMU Foot and Ankle Clinic.
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Dr. Erin Nelson |
“I really wanted to be back in Ames — I missed that a lot,” Dr. Nelson said. “I just love the community. I've lived in Ames now for the last 12 years or so, and I missed practicing where I live.”
Source: Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune [5/21/21]
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INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS |
UK Podiatrist Recommends Bi-annual Podiatric Foot Check-ups
When it comes to your feet, "There’s an element of ‘out of sight, out of mind’," says Emma Price, podiatrist and co-founder of PodiPedia.co.uk. "If you don’t have any foot pain, you don’t necessarily think of your feet. It’s not until you get some nice weather and put sandals or flip-flops on, and then go: ‘Oh, what’s that?!'" For Price, feet can "absolutely" affect your confidence. "Personally, it makes me feel great knowing that I’ve got good looking feet," she says.
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Emma Price |
Price suggests many are reluctant to visit a podiatrist, saying: "People are embarrassed by their feet, but if you had a dodgy looking tooth or your tooth was going a bit brown or yellow, you’d get yourself straight to the dentist. You wouldn’t paint your tooth and carry on – that’s obviously a bit of a silly example, but it’s true – that’s effectively what you’re doing." She recommends annual or biannual check-ups with a podiatrist, like you do with a dentist. "I’m very much about prevention being better than a cure," Price adds, emphasizing that podiatrists can spot early signs of serious medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Source: rte.ie [5/17/21]
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PODIATRISTS AND FOOTWEAR |
LuLu Fit-Flops Superior to Flip-Flops: MD Podiatrist
Lulu Fit-Flops have podiatrists and hundreds of Nordstrom shoppers singing their praises. It also has an easy slip-on design and a thick, triangular strap made with a terry-cloth fabric inner that’s soft against your skin and wicks moisture (no rubber strap-induced blisters here). It also holds the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, a title given to “products found to promote good foot health.”
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Dr. Priya Parthasarathy |
"The Fit-Flops are definitely a better option compared to your flat, bendable summer flip-flops," Priya Parthasarathy, DPM tells People, calling out their elevated wedge, the shock-absorbing footbed, and the wide thong strap, which offers additional arch support, as a few reasons why they're superior. "Fit-Flops also pack all of this technology into a lightweight sandal, which is impressive," she adds.
Source: Eva Thomas, People [5/22/21]
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PODIATRIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN THE NEWS |
VA Podiatrist Makes “Shark Tank”-Like Presentation at GWU Health Summit
Ben Pearl, DPM presented his hallux limitus/turf toe splint in a “Shark Tank” format to students at the recent George Washington University (GWU) Health Summit. Dr. Pearl, who has been working closely with the premed student group, developed the segment to ignite interest in creating medically related devices and/or apps to be used in the medical world. The splint is on pace to sell several thousand units by the end of the year. The sharks’ role was to provide critique and suggestions.
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Dr. Ben Pearl and his hallux limitus/turf toe splint |
Pearl reached out to Doug Richie, DPM (inventor of the Richie Brace) and Richard Stess, DPM (inventor of the STS Casting sock) to play the role of “sharks”. The segment followed the keynote address by Dr. Richard Carmona, former surgeon general. Richie offered that the information on the website should include more simple language on what hallux limitus is. Drs. Stess and Richie commented that more education has to happen one-on-one with medical personnel.
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RELEVANT RESEARCH |
Descriptive Study of Ulcers Treated in a Diabetic Foot Unit
Diabetic foot (DF) is one of the most prevalent complications in diabetic patients and an important cause of morbidity, mortality, and health costs. Multidisciplinary diabetic foot units (DFU) aim to improve the management of DF and reduce its complications. The objective of this report is to describe the type of patient received by location, severity of their pathology, and the main results of treatment.
Results: 288 patients were included, 239 of whom had a total of 404 ulcers. Of them, 58.4% were digital ulcers, 20.5% metatarsal, 5.4% midfoot, and 15.6% heel ulcers. Regarding Texas Classification, 18.2% of the lesions were group A, 9.7% group B, 52.2% group C, and 20% group D. At follow-up, the healing rate was 77.2% and re-ulceration occurred in 35.1% instances. The minor amputation rate was 36.1%, major amputation 6.3%, and mortality 5.9%.
Conclusion: Our experience in our DFU suggests that this multidisciplinary team can improve the results of DF ulcer management, reduce major amputation rates, and increase survival of our patients.
Source: Sandra Vicente, et al.,Vascular Disease Management, Vol 18, Issue 5 [May 2021]
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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY |
What Practices Must do to Assure Payment for Telehealth in 2021 - Part 2
The flourishing of telehealth in 2020 was driven not just by necessity, but also by a significant loosening of governmental regulations and reimbursement requirements by payors. To ensure that you will continue to be paid for your telehealth services, here are three best practices you should be aware of:
2. Closely monitor bulletins and announcements regarding telehealth from any insurance payors your practice accepts.
Payor policies are changing rapidly and unexpectedly. Do not assume that any policies that applied in 2020 will continue. Make monitoring of payor policies at least a monthly discipline.
When you verify that a particular patient’s insurance accepts telehealth, determine if the coverage specifies the use of the payor’s approved telehealth vendor only. In that case, appointments conducted on the practice’s telehealth platform may not be covered. In some cases, state telehealth regulations might specify that the telehealth appointment must be allowed to be conducted with the patient’s regular provider, which could supersede the payor’s requirements. However, even if your state has such a requirement, be extra careful in 2021. There may be a gap between the implementation of state requirements and the provider contracts and policies that would postpone application of the state requirements until 2022.
Source: Terri Joy and Aimee Heckman, Phyisicans Practice [5/17/21]
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CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: Appropriate Hospice Care
I biopsied a suspicious lesion from the lower leg of a hospice patient. Pathology reported a squamous cell carcinoma. Is it appropriate from a Medicare billing perspective to excise this lesion on a hospice patient using the -GW modifier if the patient’s original hospice qualifying condition is unrelated to the carcinoma?
Troy Harris, DPM, Jacksonville, FL
Response: When a person goes into hospice, they are no longer treated for the underlying condition that created the need for hospice care. They are maintained peacefully. However, if an unrelated situation should arise such as a “suspicious lesion” that needed to be biopsied, shouldn’t this lesion be biopsied and the physician that performed the procedure be reimbursed? Of course. That is what led to the creation of the -GW modifier which is defined as the following: HOSPICE SERVICES – Use this Medicare modifier when you need to indicate that the provided services are not related to the hospice patient’s terminal condition.
Michael G. Warshaw, DPM, CPC, Lady Lake, FL
For information on Codingline subscriptions, click here
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RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) |
RE: The Passing of Kirk D. Brock, DPM
Long-time Bloomington resident and doctor, Kirk D. Brock, 57, passed away from cancer Saturday, May 15, 2021. He was at home in Weatherford, TX, surrounded by family and friends.
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Dr. Kirk Brock |
Dr. Brock graduated from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, North Chicago, in 1991 with a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. He worked with Midstate Podiatry Associates, Bloomington, for 26 years and relocated to Weatherford, TX in 2017.
Source: The Pantagraph [5/22/21]
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YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP |
RE: Outrageous Joke of the Day
A man went to the doctor. He said, "Doc, you gotta check my leg. Something's wrong. Just put your ear up to my thigh, you'll hear it!" The doctor cautiously placed his ear to the man's thigh only to hear "Gimme 20 bucks, I really need 20 bucks". "I've never seen or heard anything like this before, how long has this been going on?" the doctor asked. "That's nothing Doc, put your ear to my knee."
The doctor put his ear to the man's knee and heard it say, "Man, I really need 10 bucks, just lend me 10 bucks!" "Sir, I really don't know what to tell you. I've never seen anything like this." The doctor was dumbfounded. "Wait Doc, that's not it. There's more, just put your ear up to my ankle," the man urged him.
The doctor did as the man said and was blown away to hear his ankle plead, "Please, I just need 5 bucks. Lend me 5 bucks please if you can." I have no idea what to tell you," the doctor said. "There's nothing about it in my books," he said as he frantically searched all his medical reference books. "I can make a well-educated guess though. Based on life and all my previous experience, I can tell you that your leg appears to be broke in three places."
Submitted by Dr. Larry Aronberg
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MEETING NOTICES AND WEBINARS
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CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – CT, DE, PA, OH, MO, TN, FL
PediRite provides care to nursing home residents. Excellent opportunities working in our contracted facilities. Flexible scheduling, very lucrative commissions! Great match if you have open days/hours in your schedule. Work available in DE, OH, PA, MO, TN, PA, CT. Resume to sara@sightrite.com (sign on bonus for CT and DE.
FULL-TIME or PART-TIME PODIATRIST - DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA
PSR 24-36 Trained Multi-dimensional, Multi-office group treating a wide range of patients to include: forefoot, rearfoot, diabetic wound care, sports medicine and work-related injuries. Modern offices and equipment. A great opportunity for driven personable individual. Please e-mail Cover letter, CV, short introduction video Email: cnunez1940@gmail.com
SSOCIATE POSITION - ORANGE COUNTY, CA
Part-time or full-time positions available for immediate consideration. Must have completed 3-year residency and board qualification or certification. Email CV and bio to podiatryoc@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION/PRACTICE FOR SALE – NASSAU COUNTY, LONG ISLAND
Part time associate to work needed, or part time associate willing to work one day steady per week. Will sell 500k grosAs practice for 200k with sale of home/ office. North shore, Nassau county, Long Island. Contact: bombbustr7@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
Well established practice is looking to expand and have eventual partner and possible even transition to possible buyout. Compensation along with retirement, health insurance, malpractice, vacation, etc. Look for pleasant person, preferably a doctor to become Rearfoot and Ankle certified, along with skills in wound care and general foot-care. We have a large referral base and newer office, digital x-ray, lasers, EMR, etc. Please send CV to scfootdoc@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION NEEDED - TX/AR
Very busy podiatry practice with multiple locations in Texas and Arkansas with high patient volume is seeking motivated, surgically trained podiatrist. Fellowship trained, billing/coding experience preferred but not required. Guaranteed salary plus strong bonus structure. Included is 2 week vacation per year, malpractice insurance, and CMEs. Current full time associate averages approximately $210,000 per year with partnership opportunity available. If interested, please send letter of intent and CV to advancedfootandanklecare@yahoo.com
FULL TIME PODIATRIST - NEW JERSEY
We are a fast-growing podiatry practice in New Jersey with multiple locations and Doctors. We are currently looking for a full-time motivated and caring Doctor to join our busy practice. Some benefits include: competitive six-figure salary, generous, guaranteed bonus structure, health insurance (including vision & dental), paid vacation time off, paid malpractice insurance and CME time off. Great prospects for experienced Doctors as well as new Associates. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your Podiatric medical and surgical experience in an office-based practice! If interested, please submit your CV to DrSamofal@PodiatryCenterNJ.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – CHICAGO
Available immediately. Home visits/ some facilities/ some office hours. Illinois license is required. Salary plus bonus, or independent contractor agreement. Existing patients’ base. Net $250-325K. logistics are provided. Full- and part-time are available. Contact vadim.goshko@gmail.com
PODIATRIST POSITION – ORLANDO/DAYTONA FLORIDA TERRITORY
Join a podiatric team whose work positively impacts the lives of seniors every day! KG Health Partners, the largest podiatric practice in Florida, is seeking full and part-time podiatrists who will provide mobile-based foot, ankle, and lower leg care to residents living in long-term facilities in the Orlando/Daytona Florida territory. Achieve work-life balance with a Monday through Friday schedule, competitive wages, malpractice insurance, and exceptional benefits for full-time employees (health, paid time off, 401K retirement plan with company match). You must maintain active Medicare and Florida licenses. Email CV to kgadmin@kghealthpartners.com
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – NEW JERSEY
2 P/T podiatrists needed for New Jersey nursing homes, assisted living facilities. Must have active NJ Podiatry license, NJ Medicare provider number, own malpractice policy, CDS/DEA licenses. Also needed for Long Island Podiatry practice, office, house calls, senior centers, assisted living facilities. Surgical skills a plus. Email CV jaypurvin@gmail.com before calling 516-375-9224.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - MIDWEST UNITED STATES
ONCE IN LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to join a thriving practice with instant patient volume. State of the art practice with advanced derm, limb, salvage, sports med, pediatrics and in-office-lasers. Seeking an ambitious DPM with surgical and patient management skills. Early board-certification with ability to outpace your peers economically. Buy-in anticipated after initial contract. Starting six figure salary with generous bonuses. No nursing homes. Perks include: Paid Med-Mal, Vacation, Hospital Dues, Medical Organizational Dues, Health & Disability Insurance, Phone & Car Allowances, 401k Accessible/5K Signing Bonus. DPMPROFESSIONAL2021@GMAIL.COM
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTH CAROLINA
Seeking full-time associate. Both strong clinical and surgical skills required. Training with diabetes and limb salvage a plus. Hospital and surgical center privileges. Compensation with base and bonus structure. Benefits include: medical insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, paid CME, malpractice. Position available 9/1/21. NC license not required. Please send cv to RussAllen25@gmail.com
PODIATRIC SURGEON – SOUTH CAROLINA
Physicians Footcare, SC largest provider of podiatric services, is seeking a highly skilled and personable physician to join our TEAM. If you are ready to live, work, and play comfortably; send letter of interest and CV to: scdpmjobs@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico has an exciting position open for a board qualified or board-certified foot and ankle surgeon to start in the fall of 2021. You can view our website at footanklenm.com. Spanish speaking and Fellowship is a plus but not a requirement. Billing/coding experience is preferred. Compensation is a competitive salary plus a percentage bonus structure to start. Please email CV and cover letter to sswrege@yahoo.com.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE - CONNECTICUT and RHODE ISLAND
Looking for reliable and ethical podiatrists to service Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities in CT and RI. Send inquiries and CV to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - HUDSON VALLEY, NY
Moving out of a city after the pandemic? The Hudson valley area is thriving. And with a well-established podiatry practice for almost 50 years, our reputation and practice has grown… even after Covid. With multiple up to date offices and podiatrists, our busy practice takes on wound care, diabetic limb salvage, sports medicine, routine care, and all surgical aspects of podiatry We offer a very competitive salary, health benefits, 401K, malpractice insurance, PTO, pension, and CME allowance. But more importantly we provide a great culture to work in and a wonderful place to live and raise a family for years to come. simspodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH FLORIDA
Busy practice looking to hire a full-time podiatrist to join our medical team. Diverse practice with a balance of office, wound care, hospital and elective/trauma surgical cases. Multiple office and hospital locations, Looking for a board certified/qualified applicant who is motivated and a team player. Please send CV to dhansen@lamedicalpb.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 20,000 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 20,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at davidekagan@gmail.com or call (215) 808-0770
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CLASSIFIED ADS - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CURAMEDIX ESWT SHOCKWAVE MACHINE
Barely used (less than 5 day’s usage). Model - Duolith SD1 TT. Purchased Nov 2018. All manuals, 2 heads, brochures, rolling cart/basket. Price - Asking $39,000. Local pick up/transport arranged by buyer. Contact: breirycruz@drschoene.com / 847-263-6073.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - NW NEW JERSEY
35 year old practice, all aspects of podiatry. Loyal patient following, large physician referral base. EHR, staff in place. Low overhead. Great potential for surgically oriented podiatrist. Will stay for transition if desired. 201-317-0758.
PRACTICE FOR SALE – NEW JERSEY
15 min. from Philly; 38 y/o practice; all phases of podiatry office and hosp. surgery EMR, digital x-ray, great staff. Grosses 300 K in 2 1/2 days can easily expand to full time. Optional building purchase. Retiring but will stay as long as needed for transition. contact jay195322@gmail.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 20,000 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 20,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
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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.
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR
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
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
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prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
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