The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

June 16, 2012 #4,490 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Offers Spa Safety Tip

Your mother might have warned you about fungal infections and other horror stories from the pedicure chair. But for those who still enjoy indulging in a foot-pampering experience, US News & World Report offers tips today for decreasing your risk of infection at the spa. Recommendations include avoiding razors (yes!) and skipping the popular fish pedicure. Instead, consider seeing a podiatrist.

Dr. Hillary Brenner

The American Podiatric Medical Association suggests scheduling your spa pedicure early in the morning, since “salon foot baths are typically cleanest earlier in the day.” Hillary Brenner, DPM, a podiatric surgeon, advises patronizing nail salons that use disposable plastic bins inside the foot bath to lower your risk of infection.

Source: Emily Hite, Scope [6/14/12]

MN Podiatrist is Medical Director of New Wound Healing Center

The Center for Wound Healing opened today at Hennepin County Medical Center. An advanced care center for the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds of the lower extremities, the Center for Wound Healing provides the highest quality clinical services for patients who have chronic, non-healing wounds caused by diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions. 

(L-R) Robert Quickel, MD; Mark Odland, MD; Carey Adickes; Adam R. Johnson, DPM; Dacia Davis; Buntha Strong; Nicholas Balagurchik; Steve Sterner, MD

The Center offers a comprehensive treatment program that employs the most advanced surgical and medical treatments available, including access to the new Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, located adjacent to the Center for Wound Healing. “We are focused on caring for those tenacious wounds that can really disrupt the lives of patients,” explains Dr. Adam R. Johnson, Medical Director for the clinic.

MI Podiatrist on 3-Day Bike Ride to Raise Funds for Diabetes Research

A West Bloomfield, MI man, Dr. Scott Grodman, a podiatrist who turns 50 this week, plans to ride a bicycle home from Chicago today to raise funds for diabetes research. 

Dr. Scott Grodman.

Grodman and wife Karyn began began raising money for diabetes research in February 1994 shortly after discovering that their 15-month-old son, Jared, had diabetes. Then, when their youngest son Adam was born and diagnosed with diabetes in July 1995, it only strengthened their resolve. Since its inception in 1999, The Grodman Cure Foundation has raised more than $700,000 for diabetes research at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Source: Timothy Rath, West Bloomfield Patch [6/14/12]

STAR Total Ankle Implant Approved by OWCC

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. a leading, privately-held orthopedics company focused on arthroplasty, joint-related trauma technologies and treatments for the small bones and joints, reported that the Oklahoma Dept. of Labor's Workers' Compensation Court Insurance Dept. (OWCC) is recommending SBi's STAR total ankle replacement implant when meeting certain patient guidelines. 

Dr. Raymond Smith

Raymond L. Smith, DPM, a surgeon at Central Oklahoma Foot and Ankle Center in Edmond, has been offering the STAR ankle to appropriately selected patients since 2010. Dr. Smith said: "The STAR ankle's benefits include the ability to preserve more bone tissue and joint function than procedures such as fusing the joint. It is also the only total ankle replacement in the U.S. that does not require the use of cement to implant the device. The more natural the joint, the better able we are to restore full mobility."

Source: News Blaze [6/14/12

Lawmakers Rip Waste in Anti-fraud Programs

Senators criticized the “mind-boggling” waste in Medicaid anti-fraud programs that cost $80 million more than they recovered, as the Obama administration identified five steps to address the problem.

At a Thursday hearing, members of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Federal Financial Management Subcommittee criticized the recently revealed finding of the Government Accountability Office that from June 2007 through February 2012 the CMS paid fraud contractors at least $102 million, but they found less than $20 million.

Source: Rich Daly, Modern Healthcare [6/14/12]

Query: Chronic Calcaneal Apophysitis

My patient is a 12 year old boy with severe pain to his right heel. He cannot bear any weight on it. There is no history of trauma. X-rays are consistent for apophysitis. An MRI was consistent for apophysitis and not suggestive for fracture or osteonecrosis. There was a small amount of fluid noted to the retrocalcaneal bursa consistent with bursitis. Because the child was not able to bear any weight, I dispensed crutches.

Chronic Calcaneal Apophysitis

The father took the patient to a pediatric orthopedist who placed the child in a BK cast for a couple of weeks. The child came back to me still with severe pain, and now with less dorsiflexory motion at the ankle on the affected side. His pain has been present for 3 months now. Is there some other differential diagnosis or treatment option I should consider?
 
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY

Query: Automatic Whirlpool Filler

Several years ago, Whitehall industry manufactured an automatic whirlpool filler, which they do not produce anymore. Does anyone know of a source for rebuilt units?

Jack Ressler DPM, Lauderhill/Delray Beach, FL

Query: Billing for a New Associate

I have a new associate who is just finishing his residency and does not, as yet, have his Medicare number or contracts with payer plans associated with the practice. What is the best way to bill for his services until he receives participation approval?

1. Do not send in the claims until the numbers or signed contracts are received? 2. List him as a locum tenens and bill as such? 3. Call the contracted insurance companies and request their approval while waiting for his acceptances? 4. Anything else?

Barry A. Wertheimer, DPM, Torrance, CA

Response: Until the doctor is credentialed with the various payers, they cannot bill for treating those patients. For many of the commercial payers, credentialing involves submitting a simple form or, in some cases, they will just add the associate on with just the basic information. Some may use a clearinghouse of sorts to process the application.

Medicare would need a formal application. Once accepted, you can back-bill for one month. Once you add another doctor, you may have to change your designation from solo practitioner to a "group" designation. Having gone through this myself recently, I advise getting all the appropriate information from your associate and start sending out letters to payers ASAP. Don't forget to mention the information to your malpractice carrier. They will need to be informed that you have a new associate. Make sure that your associate has the same malpractice carrier as you have or things can get messy if a claim arises.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

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RE: Bilateral Pain Sub 2nd Mets (Harry Cotler, DPM)
From: Gino Scartozzi, DPM

The patient revealing these soft tissue lesions in the same anatomic location indicates a highly probability of a pathobiomechanical etiology. A biopsy of the lesion would be indicated in light of the non-contributing diagnoses cited in the MRI report. Further discussion with the radiologist regarding plantar plate integrity and anatomic parameters of the lesions is recommended. Radiographs of the feet would be helpful to determine if there are excessively long second metatarsals which would have contributed to the formation of these soft tissue lesions. The most probable diagnosis would be plantar fibromatosis with probable second metatarsal-phalangeal plate tears.

The patient's pain may be the result of such metatarsals being excessive in length. Excessive metatarsal length could create a predisposition for Freiberg's infraction, metatarsalgia, plantar plate tears and distal displacement of the fat pad with fibrosis due to pathomechanical stresses beneath the metatarsal head. These issues also should be considered as the primary/secondary causes of the patient's sciatica from an antalgic gait. Addressing the osseous component of the lesions' cause may need to be considered, along with surgical excision of the lesion after biopsy. Post-operative follow-up with orthoses is recommended.
 
Gino Scartozzi, DPM, New Hyde Park, NY, Gsdpm@aol.com

RE: Restrictive Covenant (John Morris, DPM)
From: Ron Raducanu, DPM

Let me throw another scenario at you. A new associate comes in and sees ALL the post-op patients (who don't pay) and most, if not all, the nail care patients (who pay far less than those with office visit appointments), giving his boss the freedom to open up his schedule to ALL the new patients.

The boss is making sure that the Medicare patients who qualify for shoes see him for the once a year that Medicare pays for an office visit, and makes sure to get the credit (and money) for the shoes that are dispensed to this patient through Medicare and a supplemental. The associate is now taking ALL the calls and ALL the in-house work, giving his boss a ton of time off.

The boss buys a new car since he is making more money seeing...

Editor's note: Dr. Raducanu's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: "Unified" Post-Graduate Training (Charles M Lombardi, DPM)
From: Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM

The three-year residency “requirement” for podiatrists is a direct result of the political position we are in with allopathic medicine. Whenever MD competitors (primarily orthopedists) attack podiatry, it is always in the same guise - our training. The lengthy residency (and ABPS certification) some of us have taken is a reaction to that criticism, and the other, that our training is “sporadic” and unreliable.

In fact, most podiatry schools have taken on a centralized philosophy of didactic training in basic sciences. Clinical training has been harder to pin down, and there are still variations in that target between schools. But there are also wide gradations among our own non-surgical competitors’ training, specifically nurses and physician assistants. Whenever we have political infighting, I think it helps...

Editor's note: Dr. Rosenblatt's extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: "Unified" Post-Graduate Training
From: Tip Sullivan, DPM

The different opinions on board certification, residency programs, should-a, would-a, could-a ideas have been interesting reading. Many of them, I agree with to some extent, and some I disagree with— but all of them are interesting and worthy of consideration and debate by our representatives to the powers who make changes.

I am no podiatric politician, and that is what this feels like to me—politics. I personally chose 3 years of post-grad training way back in the 1980s because I got lucky and landed a 2-year residency and was blessed by getting offered a fellowship by someone who had a vision to improve our education (Larry Oloff, DPM). There was no political influence in it—It was real simple –IMPROVE OUR EDUCATION SO THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB.

In 1986, the residency program (CCPM) was easily comparable to...

Editor's note: Dr. Sullivan's extended-length letter can be read here.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Retiring from practice. Equipment For sale. Mini x-ray. One year old Ultrasound with MS arterial/venous X-ray plates. Great condition Ritter chairs. Drills, surgical tools. So much. Just ask, I probably have it: Footcare@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: EPAT

(Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment) for sale. D-Actor 200. This machine is still new. Purchased in late 2011.( new machines>30K). It is the conservative alternative to surgery. Treats Plantar Fasciitis, Heel spurs, Achilles Tendonitis, Joint pain. Great Buy. $17,995 or best offer. Please call 713-541-3199 for more information. or email contactus@houstonfootankle.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

PRACTICE FOR SALE - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Established 40+ year old well-rounded practice of both surgical and non-surgical care with special emphasis on sports medicine. Medicare and BS/private insurance base, no Medical assistance. Needs to transition to a confident well trained individual. Purchase can include building. Contact:  podiatrypracticesale@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Busy, two office practice with a good mix of patients is seeking a very personable, highly motivated full-time associate with good clinical/surgical skills to fill an immediate position. Competitive salary with early partnership opportunity for the right individual. Please email CV to afsdocs@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Divine foot care center will be glad to have you as part of our podiatry care team for house calls and for our walk-in patients as well. If you are enterprising, have people skills, clinical/surgical skills, and good behavior, come on board. Texas podiatry license is required. salary and other benefits very attractive. forward your CV to divinefootcarecenter@yahoo.com. Contact Joe Duru at ph= 972-790-2800: fax= 972-790-2803: cell = 469-766-4658.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Podiatry office in Central NJ- Looking for a three year surgically trained associate who has entrepreneurial spirit for a very busy office. You will see new patients and have the potential to become board certified in two years. Partnership guaranteed within three years for the right person. Must be very outgoing and personable. Great opportunity for a person who is confident and a go getter." Please fax your CV to: 732-968-8821.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Full-time/Part-time, motivated, outgoing associate wanted for immediate job opening. Multi-office, multi-doctor practice based in Orange County, is looking for hard-working individual to treat wide range of patients. PSR 24 training a must and Spanish speaking a definite advantage. Email your CV to: ocpodiatryoffice@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – PHOENIX, WEST VALLEY SUBURBS
 
A well-established, solo-physician practice seeking a Full Time Associate Podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained physician with sound surgical skills and applicant must have completed a 24-36 month residency, & be board eligible/certified. Practice offers a state of the art practice setting, with a good general mix of all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. Competitive salary and benefits. Partnership opportunities available. Fax resume: 623-935-5783 or email to: AzPodiatrist@gmail.com
 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC BORO

Podiatrist needed for NYC practice. Must be on Health First, Health Plus, GHI, Affinity, or, most of these plans. All phases of podiatry. Excellent opportunity. E-mail resume to include current employment.rrranch7@yahoo.com 
PRACTICE FOR SALE- LONG ISLAND part-time. Inquiries rranch7@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MASSACHUSSETTS

Looking for an extremely hard working podiatry associate for part-time work, opportunity for full time. Busy and expanding podiatry practice in the Merrimack Valley. Will work in both office and nursing home setting. In office, we have laser technology, electronic medical records, diagnostic ultrasound, x-rays, etc. Please email us at resumesent11@comcast.net if you have interest in this position. If we find the right person, this opportunity could lead to partnership. Looking forward to hearing from you.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - ST AUGUSTINE, FL

A well-established, solo-physician in St Augustine, FL; is seeking a full-time associate. Applicant should be well-trained with sound surgical skills, applicant must be board eligible/certified. Practice offers a state-of-the-art practice setting, with a good general mix of all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. Competitive salary. E-mail resume to drfootwound@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

Immediate opening for a full time/part-time PSR 24/36 podiatrist in a 30 year old, well established practice with an excellent reputation and referral base. State-of-the-art office with EMR, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound and beautiful office. Generous base salary, malpractice insurance, health insurance, benefits and bonus structure. A well rounded and energetic podiatric surgeon needed for this group of 4 board certified podiatric physicians and surgeons. Please send CV to: michiganfootandankle@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - GEORGIA  

Podiatrist needed in the State of Georgia to start ASAP. At least one year post residency experience preferred. Contact Dr. Azuka Nwaedozie at (404) 908 9042 or email me at anwaedozie@aol.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION- WASHINGTON

A well-established practice with 4 locations in and around Seattle is seeking a full time/part-time associate podiatrist. Position involves clinical, nursing homes, laser therapy. Applicant should be well trained physician and a motivated, energetic self-starter, completed minimum a 24-month residency. Please send inquiries to isbinc2006@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO

Ohio practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a Podiatric Surgeon. The offices are state of the art including Digital X-Ray, EMR, Diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet Vascular Testing, CO- 2 Lasers all aspects of DME. The base salary is $120,000 with a bonus structure and benefits also would like to have this individual buy into the practice eventually. Please send CV to Ohiopodiatrist@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS

Podiatry practice in Worcester Massachusetts is looking for an associate podiatrist. Busy 2-person practice. High surgical numbers. No nursing homes. Call to hear free recorded message for more information. Call 641.715.3800 Access Code 32299 and message 4 to learn about the practice. Visit our website www.centralmasspodiatry.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO

Ohio practice with excellent reputation and patient base seeks to hire a Podiatric Surgeon. The offices are state of the art including Digital X-Ray, EMR, Diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet Vascular Testing, CO- 2 Lasers all aspects of DME. The base salary is $120,000 with a bonus structure and benefits also would like to have this individual buy into the practice eventually. Please send CV to: Ohiopodiatrist@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION  - BRONX, NY

Full-time highly motivated, ethical, hard-working associate wanted for multiple office locations commencing 8/2012.  All phases of podiatric medicine (Surgery, Biomechanics, DME, Palliative Care). Competitive base salary, malpractice insurance, bonus structure. Please email resumes to:bronxpodiatrist1@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – NEW YORK CITY

Looking for someone with some working experience in a podiatric office. Two sessions (1/2 day) a week for July and August for Upper West Side of Manhattan. References a must. One 8 AM to 12, one 12 to 5 PM. Reply to fabienne.rottenberg@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE - NORTH CAROLINA

New associate position available that may lead to partnership. We are a very busy practice providing care in both office and hospital settings. We are fully integrated in a large tertiary teaching hospital. We are located in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. Research opportunities are available. Applicant should be ethical, personable, hard working, and committed to quality in patient care. We are offering a competitive salary with bonus opportunities and a wide range of benefits. All interested candidates should send a CV to MFAS828@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - YORK, PA

Three-office practice with hospital, surgical center & nursing home privileges. EMR since 2000. Digital x-ray, ultrasound, progressive practice. Competitive salary and benefits offered. Practice offers good mix of surgery, wound care, and general podiatry. Open to associate with potential future buy-in. Please forward your information and CV to footdocpa@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Well-established practice seeking associate with opportunity for buy-in. Must have a minimum of 2 years surgical residency, or have 10 years practice experience with rear foot surgical skills. Great opportunity for growth with in-house surgical center, 2 hospitals within walking distance & more. Puerto Rican License required. Send CV/Resume to admin1@podiatrycenterpr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER. Join a modern, well-established 42-year-old podiatric medical/surgical practice within a multi-specialty office. Located just 20 minutes from NYC. Must be responsible, compassionate, driven, and self-starter. Enjoy cross-referrals from other specialists and support of medical assistants, office managers, and medical billers with over 50 years combined experience. Utilize modern technology: state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, ESWT (machine is owned by practice), physical therapy, x-ray, circulation testing, NCV, and in-office operatory suite. Very strong and effective advertising/marketing program. No nursing homes, No HMOs, No Medicaid, No Medicare. Must be licensed for podiatry in New York. Send cover letter/CV to: linchpindpm@yahoo.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 13,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 for a 50-word ad. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

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