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PMNews
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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 16,986 Subscribers Daily
June 27, 2015 #5,404  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2015- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
FINAL CHANCE TO VOTE
Quick Poll
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Do you think you have adequate disability insurance? |
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| PODIATRISTS AND ASCs | |
CT Podiatrist Worried About Planned ‘Provider Tax’ Surgery Center
Operators of surgery centers across Connecticut were working Wednesday to persuade state lawmakers to scrap a new tax in the Democratic budget, which they claim will prompt some facilities to close. The Connecticut Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers says about 15 of the group’s 61 member centers will be forced to close if the 6 percent “provider tax” included in the two-year, $40.3 billion budget becomes law. Many centers operate on thin margins, said association President Ken Rosenquest.
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Dr. Martin Pressman |
Dr. Martin Pressman, a podiatrist at the Connecticut Foot Surgery Center in Milford, said the planned tax would be applied before any expenses are taken out. “Its net impact on our bottom line could be 25 to 30 percent,” he wrote in an email. “This threatens our ability to stay in business and would likely force patients into more expensive hospital surgery settings.”
Source: CBS (NY)/Associated Press [6/24/15]
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| PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE | |
IL Podiatrist Stresses Importance of Strengthening Feet and Ankles
Illinois sports podiatrist, Dr. Bob Weil, stresses the importance of strengthening the feet and ankles for athletes in all sports. "Podiatrists should take the lead in both promoting the role of the foot in sports and how foot and ankle conditioning are key. Strengthening your feet and ankles are one of the best ways to improve all aspects of sports performance and reduce injuries, including sprained ankles, which are the most common of injuries. The body's foundation and base of support are the feet, but often foot and ankle training is neglected unless it's rehabbing an injury. It makes much more sense to strengthen and train these areas routinely and proactively,” says Weil.
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Dr. Robert Weil |
"Rubber band and proprioceptive balance exercise is a great way to do this," says Weil who recently discussed this on his weekly radio show and on his Facebook page,. “I've never seen an athlete with over-developed ankles-- WORK EM!”
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| PODIATRISTS AND FOOTWEAR | |
Mix Up Summer Shoes to Keep Feet Healthy: OH Podiatrist
Which is the best type of summer shoe? Foot doctors say it's better for your feet to mix up your shoes, and not wear one type all the time. Flip-flops and ballet flats are nice for short periods of time. But because they don't have much support, wearing them too much can lead to knee, hip, and back pain. Podiatrist Dr. Joy Rowland of the Cleveland Clinic explains how: "The arch tends to fall, which causes the legs to rotate inward. Once that knee starts to go, then your hips start to go, so it actually takes your posture and changes your posture."
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Dr. Joy Rowland |
High heels can cause tightness in the back of your leg and Achilles tendon, so Dr. Rowland recommends wearing them sparingly, and mixing your heel heights. If you switch from heels to flats and get foot cramping, Dr. Rowland says stretching can help over time. "Sometimes we even recommend that they take their toes and draw out the letters of the alphabet before they get out of bed," she says. "That will help not only the Achilles tendon, but also all of the intrinsic muscles of the foot," she adds.
Source: WPVI [6/24/15]
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| IN THE COURTS | |
Supreme Court Upholds ACA Subsidies in All States
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) avoided a potential death blow today when the Supreme Court ruled (6-3) that citizens in 34 states that did not establish their own insurance marketplaces, or exchanges, are eligible for premium subsidies under the 2010 law. The decision offers relief to 6.4 million Americans in those 34 states who have purchased private coverage with the help of subsidies.
For the second time now, the ACA has survived Supreme Court scrutiny. In 2012, the high court upheld the law's individual mandate to purchase coverage, but made Medicaid expansion optional for states. The challenge to the subsidies centered on a section of the law saying that this assistance was intended for individuals buying a health plan through an exchange "established by the state." Only 16 states opted for their own exchange. The remaining 34 states — mostly Republican — defaulted to a federally established exchange that uses the enrollment website called healthcare.gov.
Source: Robert Lowes, Medscape News [6/25/15]
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| PODIATRIC PRODUCTS IN THE NEWS | |
DJO Global Signs Agreement to Acquire Certain Assets from Zimmer and Biomet
DJO Global, Inc., a leading global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health, and pain management, announced today that its subsidiary Encore Medical, L.P., dba DJO Surgical, has entered into an agreement with Zimmer Holdings, Inc. to purchase the Biomet Cobalt ™ Bone Cement, Optivac® Cement Mixing Accessories, and Discovery® Elbow System for the U.S. marketplace.
"These product acquisitions are a part of a broader strategy to invest in our fast-growing implant business," said Mike Mogul, CEO of DJO Global. "We believe our surgical division is poised to continue its position as the fastest growing orthopedic implant company. I have always admired Cobalt Bone Cement's color features which offer better visualization and much simpler packaging and the Discovery Elbow is extremely well-regarded."
Source: Business Wire [6/24/15]
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| PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF OF THE DAY | |
10 Reasons to Outsource Medical Billing - Part 2
4. Turn a fixed expense into a variable one.
Staff and office space are fixed expenses. They cannot go below a certain level no matter how low the volume of billing is. When they go up, they go up in stair steps. If the practice is paying a percentage of collections for the billing service, there is a perfect correlation between collections and cost.
Another benefit is that the interests of the practice and the billing service are aligned. If the billing service increases collections and their rate is anything less than 100 percent of collections, the practice is ahead.
5. Know what is going on in the marketplace.
Access a broader perspective of what's going on in the healthcare marketplace. This is one of the most valuable intangibles. An in-house biller cannot know what other practices in the same specialty are doing and what their outcomes are.
Source: Carol Stryker, Physicians Practice [6/24/15]
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| CODINGLINE CORNER | |
Query: HCPCS Code for Wheaton Brace
What would be the correct HCPCS "L" code for an OTC Wheaton brace for metatarsus adductus to be used on an infant?
Chris Orlando, DPM, Hartsdale, NY
Response: I believe this is the answer to your HCPCS code brace question:
HCPCS L1930 - ankle foot orthosis, plastic or other material, prefabricated, includes fitting and adjustment.
Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL
Codingline subscription information can be found here
APMA Members: Click here for your free Codingline Silver subscription.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) | |
RE: New Grassroots Petition for Getting HELLPP Act Co-sponsors
From: Seth A. Rubenstein, DPM
With today's Supreme Court ruling, access to care is even more important. In an effort to bolster our grassroots engagement for building more congressional co-sponsors for our signature HELLPP Act (HR 1221/S 626), we have devised this grassroots petition which we ask that you print out, display in your front office and urge your patients to sign.
The rationale for this grassroots petition is simple: the more constituents/voters we can get to weigh in with our elected officials that they must co-sponsor this important legislation, the more lawmakers will find it increasingly difficult to ignore our collective voices. So please take a minute today to print out this grassroots petition, display it somewhere in your front office, and ask your patients to sign it.
We will send out periodic reminders to ensure DPM members are taking this basic grassroots step to engage constituents. And later this summer, we will be communicating our process for delivering these petitions to your elected officials. But for the time being, we need you to be aggressively gathering signatures on this petition. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this important grassroots endeavor.
Seth A. Rubenstein, DPM, Chair, APMA Legislative Committee
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) | |
From: John D Lanthier, DPM
I am sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Bill Todd. He was the residency Director of Kern Hospital during my time as a resident there and the Academic Dean at the Ohio College. He was a man who demanded respect by his knowledge and his demeanor. He was an eclectic, dignified, private man who had significant life and podiatric experience, of which he rarely would speak. Whenever in his presence, you had to be ready and to have the appropriate information and background to answer his questions.
Bill was the type of person you didn't want to let down. He made you better by knowing him. He was honest and forthright. He taught me how to be a good practitioner in many ways by example, and I learned how great this profession was by the people whom he helped with his ability to treat. He will be greatly missed, but his influence over so many of the people whom he touched through a full life, will allow his spirit to live on. And that is truly the measure of a great man.
John D Lanthier, DPM, Sudbury, Canada
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM
I too applaud the CPME maintenance of the surgical case requirement as there has to be some number of repetitions of a skill to ensure the best chance of gaining an appropriate level of knowledge, skill, attitude, and of course, experience. With that said, there also needs to be some flexibility in the sub-categories as they are ill-conceived (i.e. not evidenced-based). Anyone can view the orthopedic case numbers at the ACGME website to realize that the numbers in some of our subcategories are unreasonable.
If an orthopedic surgeon can be considered well-trained after assisting on 30 hip fractures or 10 ACL reconstructions, requiring 80 hammertoes just seems excessive. Keep in mind that orthopedic residency programs are 5 years in duration. What I have suggested in the past is that we allow for some flexibility within each sub-category so that the 300 case requirement is maintained but allow for a 20% swing within the sub-categories. It is hard to justify that a resident who does 64 hammertoes (vs. 80) is not “trained” but an orthopedist who does 15 spinal decompressions, is.
Jeffrey M. Robbins, DPM, Cleveland, OH
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Celebrity Shoe of the Day
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Autographed Paris Hilton shoes |
Here's a pair of Paris Hilton's autographed shoes.
Source: Dr. Hartley Miltchin, Toronto, Canada
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MEETING NOTICES
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NEED CME CREDITS FAST?
PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn up to 50 CPME-Approved CME Contact Hours Online
Earn 15 Contact Hours only $195
(Only $13 per credit) http://www.podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
All required credits can be taken online for AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MI, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, WV, WI, & WY
Partial required credits can be taken online for AZ, CT, FL, GA, ID, KY, IL, IA, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY, NC, OK, PA, PR, TN, TX, VT, WA, and DC
Choose any or ALL from 30+ CME Category-1 articles posted
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - PART 2 - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
PODIATRISTS NEEDED TO SUPPORT LOCAL LIONS CLUBS DIABETES FOOT SCREENING PROGRAM
What to do when you retire from practice, but not from podiatry? The Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Alliance connects retired and practicing podiatrists with their local affiliate of Lions Clubs International to provide the, "Lions Hunt for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Free Foot Screening Program." Under a podiatrist-member's direction, Lions are trained to perform the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament foot screening test on their families, friends, and at area health fairs and wellness events. Check out the LEAP Alliance website: www.leapalliance.org and email me at lrubin@leapalliance.org for more information. The LEAP Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
ASSOCIATE PART TIME POSITION - PHOENIX ARIZONA
Seeking part time associate in group practice. Board Qualified/Certified. Motivated, ethical, hard working. Established 30 + year old practice with diverse patient demographics. Large referral Base. Letter/CV to: phxbaba@gmail.com
POSITION AVAILABLE - FULL-TIME NEW JERSEY
Do you have 8 arms and 12 legs, Can you handle a challenge? Must be surgically trained but conservatively minded. Wonderful environment and great support team. Great pay with potential for expansion Bergen County, New Jersey. Please email CV to: njfootankle@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO
Full-time position in Chicago; start date - end of July. Office and housecalls ; salary base and incentive for office work plus 50% of collection for housecalls . $140-150K net; mileage allowance and malpractice are paid; additional benefits can be considered. Partnership track is available . If interested, contactchipod12@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – KENTUCKY
Immediate opening for well-trained motivated DPM in beautiful Danville, Kentucky. Established Office in new building in great location. Danville is one of the fastest growing communities in KY. Hospital privileges and wide range of services offered. College town, 35 miles outside of Lexington. Excellent comp with incredible bonus opportunity/full benefits. Partnership opportunity 2 years with Kentucky’s largest most respected group. Email CV and letter of interest : jonkim12000@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK CITY
Very busy practice seeking a full-time or part-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate. Locations in NYC. Please email your C.V. to podiatry053@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – IRVING, TEXAS
Full-time positions in a private practice for podiatrists available, clinic located in Irving TX area. High demands for house calls for diabetic and general foot care. See between 10-15 patients a day. Open Monday through Friday. Can go for either percentages or straight pay. divinefootcarecenter@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – EL PASO, TX
Busy practice seeking a full-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate to help with second office. Competitive salary offered. Please email CV to: buffdlr1@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHEAST OHIO
Expanding group practice seeking full-time and part-time podiatric physicians with Ohio license. Duties include wound care, house calls, and nursing home coverage. Competitive salary and benefits. Email cover letter and CV to mike@ankleandfootcare.com .
ASSOCIATE POSITION – SACRAMENTO, CA
Immediate opening for motivated California licensed Podiatrist. Busy, fast expanding private practice with a diverse patient base and tremendous growth opportunity. Full time associate with future partnership opportunity. Competitive salary with benefits and bonus opportunity. All aspects of Podiatry (surgery, orthopedics, diabetic foot/wound care). Must be residency trained PSR 24/36. Board eligible/certified. Competency in forefoot surgery (rearfoot surgery is optional). Email CV and letter of interest : grishatov@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – PHOENIX
Well-established Phoenix metropolitan area multi-office, multi-physician practice looking for aggressive, ethical, personable, well-trained associate, leading to partnership/buyout. High-tech environment utilizing EMR, digital x-rays, etc. Must have current Arizona license or in process; References a must. Reply to: AZfootdocsearch@gmail.com.
HOUSECALL OPPORTUNITY-CHICAGO, IL
ASSOCIATE POSITION - LONG ISLAND, NY
Looking for an experienced, board certified/qualified podiatrist for busy practice, must be personable, energetic and highly motivated. Well rounded practice incorporating all phases of podiatry including general podiatry, surgery, wound care, orthopedics. P/T, F/T position available, excellent salary. Please email CV to: jobke@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND
Business minded, motivated individual wanted for position leading to partner/buyout. Beautiful Western Maryland; less than 45 mins. from Baltimore and DC. As well as minutes from hiking, fishing, skiing, kayaking. Competitive salary/benefits. Don't miss this opportunity to become a top earner in our field. Send CV: drhenrock@yahoo.com
FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA PANHANDLE
Immediate position available for hard-working, motivated individual in a well-established practice. Equal mix of primary care and surgery. Excellent opportunity to get on all insurance panels. Board qualified/Certified with ABPS preferred. Competitive salary and benefit package. Please email CV and letter of interest to kmoore@feetareneat.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE- NORTH GEORGIA/CHATTANOOGA AREA
Busy group practice located in Chattanooga/North Georgia area seeking a growth-oriented individual with a strong work ethic to join our expanding 5 physician TEAM. Must have PMS 36. Can be out or residency or just looking for a change in practice environment. Established patient base with tremendous growth opportunity. Associate with partnership potential. Chattanooga offers a strong music and arts culture, unrivaled outdoor amenities, and a government/populace committed to sustainable development. Competitive Salary and benefits. Bilingual (Spanish) an asset. Email cover letter and CV to hr@advfootcare.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 16,500 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 16,500 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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| CLASSIFIED ADS PART 1 - PRACTICE FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE- PINPOINTE FOOT LASER
NuvoLase FDA approved laser for the treatment of onychomycosis. The laser is in excellent condition with a pulse count of Q8. Price includes the laser, new fiber optic cable, 2 laser goggles, power testing equipment, manual and shipping to your location. $10,000 mogey1@sbcglobal.net
PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY)
34 year old practice for sale, open 2 -2 1/2 days per week, general podiatry practice with biomechanics and office and hospital surgery, Microaire power equipment, EMR, x-rays physical therapy, vascular evaluation, 1 block from hospital and surgical center. Selling due to health issues. Contactdrhec@aol.com
DESIRABLE LOCATIONS TO SUBLET AND SHARE - NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
Midtown, Gramercy, Financial District and Plainview (North shore of Long Island) turn-key. Extremity MRI, Extremity CT scanner, diagnostic ultrasound, digital xray in selected offices. Fair Lawn ASC,LLC a dedicated certified ambulatory surgical center for foot and ankle surgery accepting applications for staff privileges 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 16,500 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 16,500 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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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,
distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
electronic copies and destroy all printed copies.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
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- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
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