The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

June 23, 2010 #3,891 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We Need a National Standard of Care for Diabetes: UT Podiatrist

Good nutrition and exercise not only give the body the building blocks it needs to heal itself, they can also help to prevent diabetes, the most common cause of non-healing ulcers of the foot and leg. "Anyone with diabetes who has a wound should seek care," said Dr. Carl Van Gils, certified wound specialist and staff podiatrist at the Foot and Ankle Institute. "When diabetic ulcers progress to the point that a below-the-knee amputation is required, patients face a 43 percent mortality rate over three to five years. That's a higher mortality rate than those with breast or prostate cancer."

Dr. Carl Van Gils

Van Gils said diabetics undergo more than 85,000 amputations per year in the U.S. "With the current epidemic of diabetes, it is becoming clear that we need to have a national standard of care," he said. In the meantime, Van Gils urges those who have or at risk for diabetes to take good care of themselves, and to seek care at the first sign of an ulcer.

Source: Kristy Ann Pike, The Spectrum [6/21/10]

Olive Oil Can Ease Inflammation of Ingrown Toenails: KS Podiatrist

Bible scholars have been studying the foods of the Bible for centuries, but only recently have modern nutritionists realized that what was good for the people thousands of years ago is just as good – and probably better – for everyone today. In recent years, medical scientists have identified dozens of foods that may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses – foods that ancient people took for granted.

Dr. Phyllis Ragely

Olive oil, for example, can help ease inflammation caused by an ingrown toenail.  “Rub olive oil on the side of the toenail,” instructs Dr. Phyllis Ragley, a podiatrist in Lawrence, Kansas, and past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. “It keeps the skin soft, so there is less pressure and discomfort. Also, the skin can more easily accommodate the nail.”

Source: Henrylito D. Tacio,  MB.com [6/21/10]

Insurance Company Sues Pfizer, Alleging Improper Use and Kickbacks 

A Texas health insurance company is suing Pfizer Inc., saying that the drug maker deceptively marketed three of its top-selling drugs, illegally encouraging doctors to prescribe them for non-approved uses and paying kickbacks to doctors.

Health Care Service Corp., which runs Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas and covers 12.4 million people in four states, filed the lawsuit against Pfizer on June 4. Pfizer has settled other similar lawsuits and agreed in September to pay $2.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties over its promotion of Bextra, Lyrica, Geodon, and other drugs. Pfizer spokesman Chris Loder said the company denies all the allegations.

Source: Doc Cafe via AP [6/21/10]

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters.

Bret Ribotsky: If you could modify the curriculum of the podiatry schools, what would you change?

Dr. Kirk Geter

Kirk Geter: I would  integrate our schools with other medical schools, so that there would be more of a multi-disciplinary approach. I think ultimately this would draw more students into our profession. A lot of medical students do not know about podiatry school. They do not know what our curriculum is. They do not know what we do. They do not know that we mirror allopathic medical students, and that we are ahead of them in some of the information we get. I think that is the big, big thing that needs to happen. Some of the podiatric colleges are already heading towards that model, but I think that all of them need to follow that model.

Dr. Lawrence Oloff

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday Night at 9 PM (EST). This week's show features  Dr. Lawrence Oloff, Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine.   You can register for this event by clicking here

10 Ways to Improve

Strengthen your relationships with all kinds of people—from patients to employees and everyone in between— by following this age-old advice:

• 1. Respect others’ time and feelings.
• 2. Be dependable and trustworthy.
• 3. Consider others’ needs.
• 4. Listen with an open mind.
• 5. Show flexibility and make an effort to remove obstacles.
• 6. Demonstrate compassion for extraordinary circumstances.
• 7. Communicate expectations, boundaries, and needs.
• 8. Act professionally and positively.
• 9. Convey that you care about the relationship beyond the current encounter.
• 10. Admit mistakes and take responsibility for errors.

Source:  Adapted from “How to Provide Exceptional Customer Satisfaction at Work and Home,” Nancy Stampahar, Silver Lining Solutions via Communication Briefings

Query: In-House vs. Outside Billing

I want to know the general feelings about billing companies such as Athena and others vs. billing in-house. Which is more profitable from a collection standpoint and an overhead standpoint? I have had major issues with follow-up from billing companies and have also found it hard to find the right staff to bill in-house.

 Marc Baer, DPM, Haverford, PA

Query: ESWT Question

Is there a CPT code for extra-corporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) performed without anesthesia that exists anywhere? I have only come across a code that uses anesthesia along with the treatment, but not one that does not.

Michael Guerra, DPM, South Burlington, VT

Response: The only CPT code for ESWT is CPT 28890: "Extracorporeal shock wave, high energy, performed by a physician, requiring anesthesia other than local, including ultrasound guidance, involving the plantar fascia."

The code requires "anesthesia other than local," but it doesn't mean that the patient needs to be under general anesthesia. Regional anesthesia, e.g., an ankle or heel block, qualifies the code.

Mark Schilansky, DPM, Catskill, NY

Codingline subscription information can be found at:
http://www.codingline.com/subscribe.htm

RE: Video and the Internet
From: Chad Schwarz

Videos have become a very powerful tool in creating a strong presence for you and your practice on the Internet. Once a video is created, you then have the ability to place it many places online, and beyond that, it can be uploaded to a "video syndication site" which then blasts the video out to be used on many, many sites across the Internet.  Google and other search engines have become the primary source of gathering information for many.  When you create and distribute your videos across the Internet, it becomes another way for people to find you and your practice information.
 
Our practice works with Web Power Video (webpowervideo.com) which creates the video(s) with you and then has a service to get them out across the Internet and optimize them so they are easily found. I strongly recommend taking the step of adding video(s) to your marketing strategy as it is becoming more and more popular as time passes.

Chad Schwarz, Howell, NJ, chadlschwarz@yahoo.com

RE: Vote for Podiatric-Run Charities
From: Al Musella, DPM

Chase bank is running a contest on Facebook, where you can vote for your favorite charities, and the top 200 win a big prize.  There are a few podiatry charities listed.  Vote for them all (You can vote for up to 20 charities). click this link:

While there, please vote for my brain tumor charity also (search for it) - the Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc.

Al Musella, DPM, Hewlett, NY, musella@aol.com

RE: Problems With Eclipsys (Jeff Bean, DPM, Elliot Udell, DPM)
From: Zac Childress

As a Medinotes dealer for many years, I can understand Dr. Udell's position. I have been through the 5 stages of grief as we have had to switch gears and learn a new set of products. I wish we did not have to do this, but I also understand that things change, often beyond our control.

Those of you with a history of using Medinotes will recount that...

Editor’s Note: Mr. Childress’s extended-length letter can be read here.

RE: Dragon Questions (Mark K. Johnson, DPM)
From: Simon Young, DPM

The problem with Dragon Naturally Speaking V10.0 medical or upgrade DN v 10.1 medical is in editing. There is a huge glitch with Microsoft word "floating cursor" which DNS apparently is not addressing. Tech support techs are nice, but can't solve this problem. Dr. Kosova has been a great resource in elucidating this problem. He is genuinely trying to help people.

Simon Young, DPM, NY, NY simonyoung@juno.com

RE: Senate Passes Six-Month SGR Fix
From: Richard A. Simmons, DPM

Because of the inaction of Congress: "the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is instructing its carriers to lift the hold on processing claims for services provided on or after June 1, and to begin processing them under the law’s negative update requirement." In other words, claims will begin to be paid today at the 21 percent lower rate on a first-in/first-out flow basis.

I am not sure how many of you realize the financial impact this will have on your practice when it comes to the posting of your claims. First, the claims will be paid at the reduced rate. If you use an automatic posting system, chances are the 21 percent will either be written off by your software program, or billed to the secondary insurance. The secondary insurance company will also pay at a reduced rate. If/when this fix passes and CMS retools to process the claims, you will need a system to add back the 21 percent of Medicare's allowable and the 21 percent of the secondary's allowable.

For some offices, be prepared for some accounting gridlock and possibly paying overtime as your personnel attempt to figure their way out of this quagmire.

Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Rockledge, FL, rasdpm32822@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND 
 
Busy Bellmore, NY office. Motivated, board certified, hard-working, experienced in all phases of podiatry. P/T hours available. excellent salary, call 516 242-7540 or Fax Resume 516 826-9036 or email jobke@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – TEXAS

Full-time podiatrist(s) needed in Austin or San Antonio. Current Texas license required. Unique mobile podiatry practice. Better pay, fine working conditions with excellent support staff. Check out our website www.footmobile.com. Reply to footcenter1@sbcglobal.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA

Practice Grossing over $500K yearly. Good mix of surgery, orthotics, DME, diabetic care, general podiatry. Commute < 5 miles to work. Friendly Midwest lakes area with arts, good schools, affordable living, restaurants, shopping. Option to purchase building. Will consider associate to buy-in/ buy-out. Midwestpractice@gmail.com

CANADIAN PODIATRISTS COME BACK HOME!

An Edmonton, Alberta group of DPM’s requires an additional Podiatrist. Interest in biomechanics essential. Given Canadian visa restrictions, this position is open only to Canadian Citizens or permanent residents. Very attractive compensation package. Fax C.V. or letter of interest to: (780) 483-5796.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MARYLAND 
 
Fredericks premier group practice is located only 45 minutes from both DC and Baltimore. Immediate opening for a minimum PSR 36 Podiatrist for full time position. We have it all: EMR, digital x-ray, ultrasound, ASC, etc. Excellent salary with bonus structure and benefits. Please email resume to docsbnb@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION  -  PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA

Well-rounded growing practice seeks 3-year surgically trained podiatrist for an associate position. Must be hard-working, personable, and eager to work in a variety of settings. Some exposure to trauma/major reconstruction is preferred. Email CV to tburnam80@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Full-time 3-DPM group in South Bay of LA County. Minutes from best living in LA County. Practice is an excellent mix of surgery, general podiatry, diabetic care, and DME. Beautiful office with EMR, Digital X-ray and Orthoses, etc. Please e-mail cover letter, and resume to footcareone@verizon.net

PODIATRISTS NEEDED NATIONWIDE

Seeking a part-time or full-time podiatrists to provide podiatry house call and diabetic shoe fitting services to patients nationwide. We are a podiatry management company and have contracts with clients that have 1,000’s of established patients and all we need are hard-working good doctors to service them. We offer an excellent compensation package with benefits and the opportunity to build a fairly large practice very quickly. coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

EQUIPMENT WANTED – CR SCANNER

Reina 812 Manual CR Scanner in good condition. Contact: pmh@wffeet.com

TN PRACTICE FOR SALE (SOUTH OF NASHVILLE)

Active, established practice with new equipment (digital x-ray, ultrasound, computer network, etc.). Great referral network with an excellent scope of practice. Turn-key operation with seamless transition. Grossed over $350K last year. Call 931-446-5724 or e-mail mchad500@gmail.com for more information.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking associate or new residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

LIMB PRESERVATION RESEARCH AND SURGICAL FELLOWSHIP

Boston University Medical Center offers a unique fellowship position. Be part of this unique opportunity at a major internationally-known teaching medical center. During this time, he/she will become a knowledge expert who will contribute significantly to research, surgical procedures, teaching, and innovations in limb preservation and tissue repair. Requirements: Completion of a two or three year surgical residency; Annual Salary: Year 1 $61,000, Year 2 $66,000 plus excellent benefits. Submit a CV and letter of interest to: Erin Springhetti @ erin.springhetti@bmc.org and Dr Vickie Driver @ vickie.driver@bmc.org

#0000ff">PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,000 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 12,000 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. 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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