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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 22,159 Subscribers Daily
June 25, 2022 #7,285  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management https://podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2022- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
Last Chance to Vote
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
NY Podiatrist Provides Safety Tips for Nail Salon Visits
In order to do their job of supporting your entire body, your feet need a little TLC—otherwise you could face issues like painful strains and sprains or gnarly infections. Especially now that warmer weather is here, it’s a good time to give this often-ignored body part the attention it deserves, Bryan Markinson, DPM, chief of podiatric medicine and surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, tells SELF.
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Dr. Bryan Markinson |
Pedicures? Love them. Foot infections? Not so much. At a minimum, you want to make sure that any tools used during a pedicure, such as metal nail files, clippers, and cuticle trimmers, are sterilized after every use. “You should ask to see the instruments taken out of a sterile bag,” Dr. Markinson says. It’s important to remember that harmful pathogens can also live in the drains of salon foot basins, meaning it’s best not to put your feet directly into the tub before a foot soak, Dr. Markinson says. “There should be a liner in the tub which is changed after every client,” he says. “The only water that touches the client should be the water that comes out of the faucet.”
Source: Melissa Matthews, SELF [6/23/22]
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| HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
NY Podiatrist Joins Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Staff
Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center has added podiatrist Jason Forni, DPM to its medical staff. Dr. Forni earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. His military career led him to Fort Gordon, GA, for his residency and his chief residency at Fort Bragg, NC.
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Dr. Jason Forni |
He was Chief of Podiatry at Fort Stewart, GA from 2011-2016 and was an adjunct professor at the Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, TX from 2015-2016. Dr. Forni is the Chief of Podiatry at Fort Drum, NY. Dr. Forni is also on the medical staff at Carthage Area Hospital's Podiatry Clinic.
Source: North Country Now [6/23/22]
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY | |
WI Podiatrist Returns to Her Roots
SSM Health podiatrist Molly Meier, DPM always knew she wanted to practice medicine in Wisconsin, but never knew she would have the opportunity to do so very close to home. That’s exactly what happened, however. Meier grew up in Brandon and graduated from Laconia High School. She spent her podiatric medical residency in Chicago, before returning to Wisconsin.
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Dr. Molly Meier |
She practiced podiatric medicine about an hour away from Brandon, until she recently joined SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Region to practice podiatric medicine at Ripon Community Hospital. Dr. Meier gave a presentation to the Ripon Senior Activity Center earlier this month, providing tips on caring for aging feet.
Source: Joe Schulz, Commonwealth Ripon Press [6/22/22]
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| PODIATRIC PRODUCTS IN THE NEWS | |
NY Podiatrist Retained as Consultant to SUTUREGARD Medical
Paul Kesselman, DPM has been retained as a consultant by SUTUREGARD Medical, Inc. to assist with an application to CMS for an HCPCS II code to be applied to a HEMIGARD product. HEMIGARD is a load-transferring skin anchor used in lower extremity wound closure that has been shown to reduce the risk of wound dehiscence.
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Dr. Paul Kesselman |
Dr Kesselman is a noted expert on durable medical equipment (DME) and an expert for Codingline.com and many third-party payers. His expertise and guidance will help strengthen the case for CMS approval of HEMIGARD.
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| IN THE COURTS | |
Supreme Court Rebuffs UnitedHealth Group Challenge on Medicare Overpayments
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s challenge to a government rule requiring private insurers that administer federally funded Medicare plans to return potentially billions of dollars in overpayments they receive based on incorrect diagnoses. Turning away the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based insurer's appeal, the justices left in place a lower court's decision reviving the rule after a federal judge had previously struck it down.
The 2014 rule applies to so-called Medicare Advantage insurance plans, which are funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) but administered by private insurers like UnitedHealth. HHS pays Medicare Advantage plans a base amount per beneficiary, adjusted according to diagnostic codes reflecting each beneficiary's individual risk factors. Under the rule, if a Medicare Advantage insurer learns that it received a payment based on an unsupported diagnosis, it must return that payment within 60 days. According to a 2016 federal audit, the government paid out about $16.2 billion that year based on unsupported diagnoses, nearly 10% of the total paid to Medicare Advantage insurers.
Source: MDLinx via Reuters Health Medical News via Dr. Phil Obiedzinski [6/22/22]
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1 | |
RE: A Contract with the Devil
From: Name Withheld
In Florida, many of the main insurance companies have contracted with PNS. PNS also has other specialty networks available to the insurance companies. Why podiatrists still clammer to be included in these types of networks is beyond understanding. I have seen dermatologists leave, but never podiatrists. We have the honor of receiving less than 25% of Medicare allowable. Since their inception, they only allow up to a CPT 99203 and 99213. They never pay for an E&M -25 code under any circumstance with a procedure after the initial visit. We agree to this and many other restrictions contractually, so they do not have to follow Medicare's reimbursement guidelines.
When you combine these policies with their own low fee schedule and many procedure codes that are not allowed, I believe that we are working for less that 25% of Medicare. The insurance companies love this! Companies like this grow because we are afraid to leave their network and plenty of new practitioners clammer to be included, not realizing in the long run that we all have signed a contact with the devil that will limit and end our ability to thrive.
Name Withheld
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 2 | |
From: Janet McCormick, MS
Fighting inflation may be a reason to consider adding cash services in podiatry practices, as they have in dermatology and other specialties for years. In podiatry, nail technicians can bring cash into practices every day. Nail technicians trained specifically to perform routine foot care and safe pedicures in podiatry offices can relieve podiatrists of appointment space-hogging RFC services. This will also attract new patients to a practice while bringing cash, a low commodity in podiatry practices, in the door.
Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other specialties have changed their attitudes towards cash services. When are podiatrists going to do so?
Janet McCormick, MS, Frost Proof, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PM EDITORIALS) - PART 1A | |
From: Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Allen Jacobs, DPM
Please double-check and tell us if you know of any college of podiatric medicine offers all the same courses as are offered in medical schools. I know of none. At issue in Illinois, Rosland Franklin University - Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine refuses to give podiatry students Peds, Psych, or Ob/Gyn, which are being taught at their medical school. Considering the plummeting enrollment numbers, and the colleges' apparent lack of interest in keeping up, it appears a number of podiatry colleges are going to close.
Robert Scott Steinberg, DPM, Schaumburg, IL
Dr. Brower is living in fantasyland when he suggests that the DPM degree is now recognized as equal to an MD/DO degree. There is a difference between being accepted as a recipient of referrals for care of the foot and ankle and the actual legal definition of the DPM degree. There is reality and there are unicorns. Do you believe that you are paid equally for your services as an orthopedic surgeon? Can you give up podiatry and practice primary care? Do you require the signature of an MD to prescribe diabetic shoes? Do you have the ability to independently admit to a hospital and medically manage a patient? Do you believe AOFAS believes you are their equal? Do you honestly believe that your education is equivalent to that of an MD minus OB/GYN and psychiatry?
I suggest that you are more than incorrect. I further suggest that you go back and read Dr. Markinson’s thoughts on this subject published in PM News. There are many trusted with referrals from MDs, to wit: physical therapists, audiologists, dietitians, occupational therapists, dentists, optometrists, as examples. However, although trusted for your competency in doing what you do best and better than any other healthcare provider, foot and ankle care, you are not an equal to an MD. Never were, and never will be.
Allen Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PM EDITORIALS) - PART 1B | |
From: Judd Davis, DPM
Dr. Brower, you must live in a very podiatry friendly town which surprises me. As I recall, Arizona recently had a law that DPMs couldn't even amputate a toe; maybe that has changed? Bottom line is there is still plenty of discrimination against the DPM going on out there. I am doubtful that most foot and ankle orthopods stand "shoulder to shoulder" with DPMs during their schooling/residencies and so have no clue as to our training or capabilities. Nor do most of them care as we are direct competition for them. In my town, there are younger generation orthopods who actively joust and badmouth podiatrists when their patients end up there for second opinions.
I am currently on call at a hospital system that does not pay podiatrists for taking that call. If a podiatrist wants privileges there, they are forced to take call pro bono. Be assured, the orthopedists are paid for that service. For prospective students out there, I would say if you want the respect and pay grade of an orthopedist, then you should go that route. I'm sure things are better now for DPMs than 40 years ago, but let's not sugarcoat it; all is not equal.
Judd Davis, DPM, Colorado Springs, CO
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PM EDITORIALS) - PART 1C | |
From: Jon Purdy, DPM, Jeffrey Klirsfeld, DPM
Dr. Markinson commented that podiatric residencies would suffer if we were to reach the MD/DO designation. All arguments aside as to why I believe a dual degree is imperative to this profession, I disagree. I certainly don’t have a crystal ball, but I believe the pool of graduates would add to DPM residencies. In my experience as a resident at a trauma 1 hospital, I found many graduating MD/DOs were clamoring for a “surgical residency.” Many wanted orthopedics, but due to stiff competition, begrudgingly took general surgical residencies. This was their admission, not my assumption. Since we are a limited surgical specialty, I think the three or four year residency resulting in surgical skills would be attractive.
Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA
I have been reading many of the posts "who wants to be a podiatrist?" Some have discussed routine foot care and all the training that we did. I completely understand that. Has anyone picked up PAD, atrial fib, many skin pathologies (thanks Dr. Markinson), etc. etc. while doing RFC? RFC is one of the many procedures that we do. It’s not the most glamorous but we can pick up many issues that are in need of treatment. RFC can be the gateway to other procedures like bunion and hammertoe surgery, etc.
Jeffrey Klirsfeld, DPM, Levittown, NY
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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Aladdin's shoe? |
Source: Bar Siloni via Virtual Shoe Museum
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MEETINGS AND WEBINARS
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NEED CME CREDITS FAST?
PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn up to 50 Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) Online
Earn 15 CECH only $279 (less than $19 per CECH)
podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
All required credits can be taken online for AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, DE, HI, IN, KS, LA, MA, ME, MI, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WV, and WI
Partial required credits can be taken online for AZ, FL, GA, ID, KY, IL, ID, IA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY, NC, OK, PA, PR, TN, TX, WA, and DC
Choose any or ALL from 25+ CECH Category-1 articles posted
* NY podiatrists whose licenses expire from 3/2/20-8/31/22 may take all credits online
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - 2 MIDMARK 417 PODIATRY CHAIRS
MIdmark 417 podiatry chairs (1 Blue, 1 Maroon). Upholstery and powered functions in very good to excellent condition. $3,500 each or best offer. Photos on request. Located in Central Texas dianemphalen@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
Established practice started 65 years ago with a high number of doctor referrals. 2-doctor gross revenue $905,000 looking to cut back and retire in 2-3 years or sooner. Enough treatment rooms for 3 docs. Very reasonable cost of living in Augusta and area. Trails, watersports and yes, golf. Respond to kkronowski1@comcast.net
PRACTICE FOR SALE - PACIFIC NORTHWEST
When I was a student, a mentor once told me, "You can make a living anywhere, live where you want to live". Take 4 minutes that may change your life. https://Vimeo.com/715640001
PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
19-year-old non-surgical practice for sale. $1,000,000 gross, based on 2.5 days / week. 60% cash clients. Great growth opportunity. Turnkey proposition. Owner will help with transition. Barry Smith, Lloyds Capital, Inc. (213) 379-2397 Barry@lloydscapital.org
PRACTICE FOR SALE - TARZANA CALIFORNIA
Across from hospital. Ground floor. Free parking. I have been here since 1983. Time to retire. Serious inquiries only. Text 818 451-8441.
FOR SALE - COMPLETELY EQUIPPED PODIATRIC PRACTICE - PHILADELPHIA SUBURB
This solo podiatry practice is located in a Philadelphia suburb near the Pennsylvania turnpike. Very long established. Over 35 years (historical reference: 3 previous podiatrists in the same practice) excellent referral base and volume. Additional amenities: computerized records, orthotic lab, digital x-ray, surgical suite, free parking, and more. Podiatric associate with surgical experience wanted and/or available for dale. A reasonable offer will be accepted. For more information and virtual tour, email hershpodiatry@gmail.com
FREE PART TIME PRACTICE – CONNECTICUT
Perfect CT Shoreline satellite location. SIMPLY looking for qualified DPM to take over reasonable monthly rent. VERY BUSY 30 year old fully equipped, digital x-rays, 3 Midmark chairs, orthotic lab. Call Dr. G at 203-243-2545.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 22,000 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 22,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – VA, MD, CT, DE, PA, OH, MO, NJ, NY, 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. Resume to sara@sightrite.com (sign-on bonus for VA)
IMMEDIATE ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHWEST, FL
Stat position for busy, modern practice. ABFAS BC/BQ, EMR, Digital x-rays, U.S., DME, Base salary + bonus, PTO, 401K, fees, health ins. DrLam@NaplesPodiatrist.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – ATLANTA, GA
Multi-location podiatry group seeking Board Qualified/Certified podiatric surgeon for a location just south of Atlanta, GA. This is an outstanding opportunity with an onsite surgery center. We offer an excellent compensation and benefit package. Please send inquiries with photo and CV to 1sourcemm@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK CITY
Great opportunity for a new associate to join a rapidly growing team. Will have hospital privileges at a prestigious, world renowned institution in NYC. Looking for a self-motivated, positive individual willing to work hard.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - FOOTHILLS OF NC
Seeking PSR-36 trained DPM for associate position with busy practice in foothills of NC. Should be well trained in forefoot rearfoot, and wound care. Competitive salary, benefits and bonuses. Buy-in available. Three-doctor practice with one retiring. Located near major metropolitan city, Send resume to jmauney@foothillspodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - EASTERN SHORE of MARYLAND
Multiple office practice located on the Eastern Shore of MD near beaches. Seeking motivated, energetic individual to join our existing physicians. We are an expanding practice with focus on all aspects of Podiatric care. Offices equipped with ultrasound, digital imaging, 3-D scanners, onsite Ambulatory Surgery Center and many other state of the art amenities. Excellent salary and benefits package. DPMemploy@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ARKANSAS
Well established 30y/o highly respected two physician podiatry group. This position is available to a well-trained, personable, motivated, goal oriented, entrepreneurial minded physician. This practice offers all facets of podiatric medicine with an onsite ASC. Located in a rapidly growing, medium size city with a Division I University and a great place to raise a family. All applicable standard benefits included. Send CV to podiatrygroup@sbcglobal.net
ASSOCIATE POSITION - FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONNECTICUT
Busy, growing practice. All phases of foot and ankle care. Service oriented practice. Looking for full time or part time associate. Surgical skills a plus but not required. Great personality and teamwork required. Competitive compensation based on experience. E-mail CV to drbetschart@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ST. GEORGE, UT
Immediate Doctor of Podiatric medicine position for a well-trained, highly motivated individual. Location: St. George, Utah. Competitive salary with commission structure. Benefits include: PTO, CME allowance, health and malpractice insurance. Must be confident in working solo in your own office environment. Please email Cover Letter and CV to st.georgefootcare@gmail.com
PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME POSITION - GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA AND SURROUNDING AREA
Seeking a podiatrist to provide service to our in-office and skilled nursing home patients. Requirement: Current licensure in the state of North Carolina. Flexible schedule and competitive pay. Potential for growth goals in an expanding company. Email: niarawright@gmail.com
IMMEDIATE OPENING - FLORIDA MIDWEST COASTAL
1-FT or 2-PT needed for great 2 office/ALF care practice. New graduates are welcome. Will help train in EMR, billing/coding, and how to practice. BQ/BC preferred. Paid CME, vacation, mileage, cell phone, and competitive salary. Please send CV inquires to footandanklemc@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST - ST. GEORGE, UT
Associate podiatrist needed in our St. George Utah clinic. Will absorb around 230 patients per month with lots of room to grow. Partnership can be earned. Learn more about us at afacutah.com. We are excited to have you join our team! Send CV and cover letter to tyson@afacutah.com
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - FLORIDA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND GEORGIA
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 lower extremity care to residents living in long-term facilities throughout the states of Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. 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 State licenses. Email CV to kgadmin@kghealthpartners.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHARLESTON, WV
U.S. Foot and Ankle Specialists is looking for an upcoming or recent residency graduate or experienced practitioner to join our practice in Charleston, WV - part of the fast-growing metropolitan area of Charleston. We are a growing group of 153 providers and 98 locations. If personable, motivated, and well-trained, we would be delighted to discuss an associate position with you. We offer growth opportunities, a strong compensation package, and many other benefits. Please send a cover letter and resume to: newdpm@footandankle-usa.com. Candidates must be either licensed or in the process of becoming licensed in WV to be considered for this position.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - VERNAL, UT
I mmediate Doctor of Podiatric medicine position for a well-trained, highly motivated individual. Location: Vernal, Utah. Competitive salary with commission structure. Benefits include: PTO, CME allowance, health and malpractice insurance. Must be confident in working solo in your own office environment. Please email cover letter and CV to vernalfootcare@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE FT/PT - RHINEBECK, NY
Associate wanted for established 2- practitioner, well rounded practice. Plenty of surgery available. All phases of podiatry - surgery, orthotics, routine care, and wound care. Affiliation with wound care centers possible. Digital x-ray and new modern ultrasound. Please email with contact info - PodassociateNY@gmail.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 - UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
Four physician practice seeks PSR-36 trained DPM, well versed in rearfoot and ankle surgery and diabetic limb salvage with inpatient care. Competitive salary and benefits with bonus structure. Early partnership opportunity. Near mountains and lakes. Enjoy small city lifestyle. Please send resume with cover letter to schudson87@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – CALIFORNIA
Established 30 year-old two-office practice has an opening for a full-time associate to partnership career. Must be compassionate, friendly, and a team player. Must be open-minded and willing to learn all aspects of podiatry practice management. BQ or BC. Competitive salary, bonus structure, benefits. Send letter of intent, salary requirements, and availability to NBFA@myachingfeet.com
FELLOW POSITION - NAPLES-FORT MYERS, FLORIDA
Fellow position in Naples-Fort Myers, Florida, beginning July, 2022. Associates in Medicine and Surgery Reconstructive Surgery and Sports Medicine Fellowship. All aspects of practice management and clinical care in office and around area hospital systems in Collier and Lee Counties. Email Dr. Batelli (ebatelli@aimsfl.com) CV and further info.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 22,000 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 22,000 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.
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