The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,900 Podiatrists Daily

June 14, 2008 #3,272 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Athlete’s Foot Especially Prevalent During Summer: TX Podiatrist

Tinea pedis, commonly referred to as athlete’s foot, is the scaly and itchy fungus that occurs between the toes and on the soles of the foot and can make for major discomfort. According to Dr. Brian Carpenter, Director of Podiatric Medical Education at John Peter Smith Hospital, approximately 75 percent of people will develop athlete’s foot at some point in their lives.

Dr. Brian Carpenter

"Fungi love a dark, damp and moist environment and what better place for this to occur than inside your shoes," he warned. Athlete’s foot is especially prevalent during the summer months when many people go barefoot, wear flip flops or wear tennis shoes for prolonged periods. And walking barefoot exposes feet to the fungi left by other carriers.

To help avoid the condition, Carpenter suggests wearing breathable shoes and cotton socks and using medicated powders. Washing socks in bleach and rubbing shoes in a water-bleach solution will rid them of fungus.

Source: Dorothy Blackman, Star-Telegram [6/13/08]

NYCPM President Honored By Parker Jewish Institute

Hon. Louis L. Levine, President & CEO of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, was honored recently by Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, an independent, 527-bed, not-for-profit institution located in New Hyde Park, NY.

Louis L. Levine, President & CEO, NYCPM; Stephan Kamholz, MD, North Shore University Hospital; Henry T. PatSchwaeber, Chairman of the Board & Michael N. Rosenblut, President and CEO, Parker Jewish Institute; Jeffrey P. Rosenfeld, Ph.D., Hofstra University.

President Levine was honored by Parker Jewish Institute’s Associate Board of Trustees not only for his leadership and vision during his ongoing, seventeen-year tenure as President & CEO of NYCPM, but also for his long career in public service, which has included serving under three governors of New York State as Commissioner of Labor Affairs and as Industrial Commissioner of the State of New York. He also served as Corporate Vice-President for Governmental and Public Affairs at Empire Blue Cross-Blue Shield, and as Chairman of the Executive Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Group Health, Inc.

Senate Blocks Medicare Reform Bill

The Senate voted 54-39 to block consideration of Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ Medicare reform bill, which primarily uses cuts to Medicare Advantage plans to fund higher payments to physicians. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) changed his vote at the last minute to oppose the bill, “but he had to, for procedural reasons, to reserve the right to bring it back up again in the future,” said an aide to Reid. “We’ll try to bring it up again as soon as we can,” he said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the finance committee’s ranking member, said he hoped the failed bill would lead to more effective negotiations. Grassley has an alternative bill that would also halt the payment cut to physicians but contains different funding sources.
Baucus attempted to defend his legislation during floor debate, claiming it would not take money away from teaching hospitals, make drastic cuts to Medicare Advantage, or eliminate private fee-for service Medicare Advantage plans.

Source: Jennifer Lubell, Modern Healthcare [6/12/08]

Triage Your Priorities

You’re swamped—and someone just asked you to take on one more project. Triage your priorities with this three-step approach:

1. If you can commit to doing the task with 100% certainty of meeting the commitment, say “Yes.”

2. If you can’t commit with 100% certainty, say “No.”

3. If you are undecided, ask for more information. For example, ask “How much time will it require?” or “What duties does the task encompass?”

Source: Adapted from “Never Enough Time?” by Marian York

Query: Flexible Foot Model

Does anyone know where I can find a foot and ankle model that is movable and is held together with elastic cord instead of wire?

Samuel Cox, DPM, Goodyear, AZ

Query: Tenosynovectomy Coding

How would I code a tenosynovectomy of the posterior tibial tendon?

There was no rupture, just some adhesions and inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon synovial sheath.

Francois Harton, DPM, Holland, MI

Response: I would recommend considering the CPT 27680 (tenolysis, flexor or extensor tendon, leg and or ankle, each tendon). I feel it is consistant with the anatomic structure operated on, and the work performed.

Howard Zlotoff DPM, Camp Hill, PA

Codingline subscription information can be found by clicking here

RE: Appointment Reminder Software (Bill FitzPatrick, DPM)
From: Larry Kosova DPM

Hands down eppointments.com is the best. They are already working with Medisoft and I have used their products for about 4-5 years. There are many cool features like automatic patients reminders, online appointment with automatic patient confirmation, patient filling medical history online and it has an interface that is so much better than what Medisoft has. My patients rave about how cool it is and the ease of use. Your patients make their own secure password and everything goes to their webserver.

Larry Kosova DPM, Chicago, IL, lkosova@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND

Busy Wantagh, NY office. Motivated, preferably board certified, hard working, experienced in all phases of Podiatry. F/T, P/T hours available. excellent salary, call 516 242 7540 or Fax Resume 516 826 9036 or email jobke@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTNERSHIP NY/PA

Group practice located on NY-PA border with excellent growth in the area’s industrial, retail, and college campuses. Surgical privileges in medical centers in NY and PA. This position will involve rotating through multiple office locations, and wound care centers. Local insurance reimbursement involves mostly private pay PPO models. We are looking for an ABPS Board Qualified podiatrist to join our team. Candidates would need to obtain licenses in NY and PA, and become ABPS certified to maintain hospital privileges. Base salary starting at 85,000.00 with bonus plan incentive, vacation, and health/mp insurances. Forward CV to prefprovider@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – NEW JERSEY

Well-established practice in Teaneck, NJ (10 minutes from GW Bridge). Excellent location (in Medical building) heavy traffic, great visibility and large parking lot. Fully equipped, full-time office with established patients. Grossing over 220K with tremendous growth potential. Office is currently open and busy ready to takeover with seamless transition. For additional information please e-mail doctors@gramercyparkpodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in the Chicago land and Northwest Indiana area. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to d-kitchens@footexperts.com

IMMEDIATE OPENING - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Associate leading to partner in well-established practice. Seeking personable, skillful, and attentive podiatrist. No nursing homes, evenings or weekends. Competitive compensation package including health insurance, malpractice, short term disability, 401(k), generous vacation, paid holidays, and excellent salary plus bonus! E-mail cover letter and CV to jbremer@associatedpodiatrists.com or fax to (612) 866-5875 attn: Jennifer Bremer

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

SEEKING RESIDENT FOR PSR-24 POSITION: BALTIMORE, MD

Mercy Medical Center Position for a highly motivated individual who desires a surgical residency or an individual wishing additional surgical training in a 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

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