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The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 15,751 Podiatrists Daily
July 07, 2014 #5,104  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2014- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
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Results of last week's poll |
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| HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
OH Podiatrist Lauds New Hospitalist Program
"Upper Valley Medical Center (UVMC) is more committed than ever before to enhancing the quality of the patient experience and assuring the most positive outcomes possible. Major initiatives have been launched to improve communication with patients and between caregivers,” said Becky Rice, President and CEO of UVMC. Among those significant advancements was the establishment of a formalized hospitalist program in 2012 in partnership with Premier Health.
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Dr. Dan Bailey |
“The new hospitalist program was developed with quality and patient safety as the primary goal,” said Dan Bailey, DPM, chief medical officer for UVMC. “This approach includes important quality benchmarks for clinical outcomes to measure effectiveness of care, and it supports UVMC/Premier’s core values of excellence, compassion, integrity, and respect,” he said.
Source: Melody Vallieu, Weekly Herald Record [7/4/14]
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| INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS | |
Aussie Podiatrist Wins Triathlon on Her Honeymoon
Think "honeymoon in Fiji" and you might have visions of cocktails by the resort pool, romantic candlelit dinners, a gentle snorkel on a coral reef, maybe a day relaxing on a yacht as it cruises among tropical islands. Not for Ipswich triathlon captain Rebecca Ungermann, formerly Rebecca Nunn. The Ipswich triathlete's honeymoon with new husband Danny was her last using her maiden name.
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Rebecca Ungermann (nee Nunn) |
While in Fiji she won the Fiji International Sprint Women's Triathlon and was second overall with men included. Ungermann was able to mix some more conventional holiday activities in with her sport. The triathlon was halfway through their two-week honeymoon. Yet on the day they arrived, a week before the race, Ungermann won an ice-cream eating contest. "It was different to what we have here (in Australia) because they were on open roads," the 26-year-old podiatrist said.
Source: Jay Buchan, The Queensland Times [7/3/14]
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| SUNSHINE ACT UPDATE | |
Proposed Rule Would End Sunshine Act's CME Exclusion
The CMS intends to eliminate the exclusion for continuing medical education in the Open Payments program, more commonly known as the Sunshine Act, which requires drug and device companies to disclose payments to physicians. The reversal was included in the proposed Physician Fee Schedule for 2015, which also would make changes that would benefit primary-care medicine at the expense of payments to specialties.
The regulations also include a variety of changes to the Shared Savings Program for accountable care organizations, the Physician Quality Reporting System, and the incentive program for electronic health records. And it would expand the array of telehealth services that qualify for Medicare reimbursement.
Source: Joe Carlson, Modern Healthcare [7/3/14]
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| QUERIES NON-CLINICAL | |
Query: Actual Use of an AED in a Podiatry Office
Of the 15 percent of podiatrists who report that they have automated external defibrillators in their offices, have any of you actually used them to save a patient's life?
Bob Levoy, Great Neck, NY
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) - PART 1A | |
From: G Dock Dockery, DPM, Bryan C. Markinson, DPM
Based upon the history and clinical presentation, this is most likely a case of cutaneous larva migrans. Topical thiabendazole is considered the treatment of choice for early, localized lesions. Oral treatment is given when the cutaneous larva migrans is widespread or topical treatment has failed. Itching is considerably reduced within 24-48 hours of starting anthelmintic treatment and within one week, most lesions/tracts resolve.
This is cutaneous larva migrans. It is caused by a worm that has penetrated the skin, and is endemic to the Caribbean. The treatment is oral thiabendazole, freezing the head with silver nitrate (if you can determine where the head is), and sometimes surgical removal. I have never had a failure with oral thiabendazole. The dosage is calculated by body weight. The diagnosis is certain.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) - PART 1B | |
From: Carlos Montes, Jr. DPM, MS, Michael N. Fine, DPM
This lesion appears characteristic of cutaneous larva migrans. I've had good response to simple freezing of the end of the lesion tract where the parasite is situated.
This is a hookworm infection (Ancylostomatidae), commonly seen in the Caribbean. Treatment is with albendazole, and dosing is weight dependent. Anemia can be a concern.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1 | |
From: Jon Purdy, DPM
There’s not much one can do when a patient choses to place monetary concerns over their health. In many cases, this can lead to poor outcomes and increased costs.
Whether it is a co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, or premium, maintaining one’s present and future health comes with costs. When patients state that they can’t “afford” to pay for medical treatment, is that because they are cheap, didn’t care enough to plan for their future, or because their cell phone bill was $250 this month. There is no way for one to know, and in my opinion, physicians should not be involved in a patient’s financial planning. Doing so will compromise the care you give which should be based on your best medical judgment. For the patient claiming that the care is too expensive, there are a number of avenues for a physician to help direct the patient. Medicaid, free clinics, and financial counselors are a few that come to mind.
If you are a contracted provider with an insurance company, you have entered into a legal agreement with them. Waiving fees could potentially jeopardize your contractual obligations, and you may find yourself not able to care for patients with that insurance if you are audited and removed from future participation. In this particular case, you should check your contract as see if you are obligated to take the full co-payment. For most insurances, if not all, one only needs to collect the allowable amount for services rendered if they are less than the co-payment amount. Of course, documentation of efforts to follow up on medical treatments is paramount in every case.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 2 | |
RE: Compounding Pharmacies and 'Kickbacks'
From: Richard Rettig, DPM
Express Scripts has just announced they will no longer cover 95% of compounded pharmacy prescriptions (effective Sept 15), and other insurances like United Health and some Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans are considering following suit. The article specifically refers to pain medications. So this should usurp our discussion about the legality of the kickback scams and physician ownership scams that are currently being offered to us. And it should end the parade of out-of-work sales people coming to our office marketing these products!
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 1
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CODINGLINE CORNER) | |
From: Michael G. Warshaw, DPM
I have to disagree with the response to this posting. The responder states that if 30 minutes is spent “counseling and coordinating,” etc., then you could bill for an E/M using the time guideline of counseling and coordinating (involving more than 50%) dominating the visit. CPT 99214 indicates that you spent 25 minutes with the patient and greater than 50% of that time was spent in counseling and coordinating. 99214? Seriously? Using this logic, why not spend 40 minutes with the patient and his father and greater than 50% of the time trying to convince them how important it would be to have the surgery. That would qualify billing a 99215.
The use of time to justify the billing of a higher level of an E/M service is inappropriately utilized...
Editor's note: Dr. Warshaw's extended-length letter can be read here.
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 2
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PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn 50 CPME-Approved CME Contact Hours Online
Earn 15 Contact Hours only $179
(Less than $13 per credit) http://www.podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
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Choose any or ALL (50 CME Contact Hours) from the 30+ CME Category-1 articles posted
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| CLASSIFIED ADS |
FELLOWSHIP POSITION - NY
One year CPME-Approved fellowship in WOUND CARE AND TISSUE HEALING immediate opening. Salary: $74,000, for graduates of 3 year podiatric residency. This program is at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York. Fellows will treat in-patients as well as out-patients in our Hyperbaric Wound Care Center. Please e-mail your CV and contact information to JTFOOTCARE@GMAIL.COM or call Dr Arnold Hertz at 516-698-2321
ASC STAFF PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE - NEW JERSEY
Fair Lawn ASC (ambulatory surgical center) is accepting applications for staff privileges. NJ license needed. Patient transportation available in the tri state area. Equity buy-in available. Call 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – RITTER PODIATRY CHAIR
PB Ritter chair, lift, back, tilt, and foot hydraulic. All functions working Black upholstery. $750 or best offer please call 212-724-4457 or email drrottenbergsoffice@gmail.com to view chair, click here.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Doctor retiring. Part-time practice with young patient population. Doing very little surgery in the past few years so practice is ripe for expansion. 20% Medicare. Can stay for introductions. Very reasonably priced. Willing to finance. Please email robharvey18@yahoo.com. Include phone number.
PRACTICE FOR SALE – DELRAY BEACH, FL
Rare opportunity for turn-key practice in Delray Beach, Florida. EMR compliant. All office-based revenue. Full time busy practice. Owner willing to assist with transition as long as needed. Priced to sell. Serious inquires only please. Email for more information: podpractice55@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - DUNEDIN, FLORIDA, TAMPA BAY AREA
Diverse, well established medical/surgical practice with EHR Meaningful Use certified, digital x-ray,ultrasound and Class IV laser. Great patients and loyal staff. Willing to stay as long as needed. Close to the best beaches. Email reply to tampabaypractice@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE- DAYTONA BEACH, FL
Established practice in beautiful Daytona Beach Florida for sale. Doctor retiring after 40 years in this location. Practice has included all routine podiatric care, minor surgeries, wound care providing diabetic footwear. Currently a part-time practice, but definitely has full-time potential. Email inquiries to: feetinflorida@yahoo.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - QUEENS, NEW YORK
Part-time practice for sale. Podiatrist is retiring. This is excellent for a second office or a starter office. Russian speaking podiatrist is a plus. Please call 718-441-8073.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHWEST FL
Multilocation multidoctor practice in beautiful Southwest Florida. Practice has grossed over seven figures consistently and currently shows 10-15% growth in revenues with increase in new patients and patient visits. EHR is already implemented with meaningful use criteria met. Practice has been professionally evaluated by Provider Resources. Only serious inquiries to this email address. This is a great practice in Paradise and a good opportunity for the right doctor or doctors. Email to: practiceforsaleswfla@gmail.com
OFFICE FOR SALE - S.E. FLORIDA
20 year old office, South Palm Beach County. Owners looking to semi-retire. Location in very busy section of Delray - Boynton. Serious inquiries only. Asking $175,000. Email reply - Bafamt@aol.com
SPACE TO SHARE - MANHATTAN AND LI
Desirable locations on Upper East Side, Gramercy, the Financial District, and Plainview (North Shore Long Island). Extremity MRI and cat scan available in selected offices. Call 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHWEST INDIANA
Busy podiatry practice looking for highly-motivated full time associate to start immediately. Located in Northwest Indiana, about 1 hour from Chicago. Email resume to info@friendlyfootcare.com
ASSOCIATE/OWNERSHIP POSITION - CENTRAL FLORIDA
Central Florida practice between Orlando and Tampa has opening for Florida licensed practitioner. Owner retiring, will finance purchase of practice with minimal down. Excellent opportunity for someone who can oversee the management of a practice. Gross in the high six figures with expansion potential. Contact acare26@tampabay.rr.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION- LONG BEACH, CA
Seeking a highly motivated, ethical associate to join a well-established practice in Long Beach, CA. Must be comfortable in all aspects of podiatry including surgery, wound care, sports medicine and palliative care. The position is for a part-time leading to full-time based on the associate’s comfort level. Please respond to email dsal826@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION- HUDSON VALLEY REGION, NY
Hudson Valley Foot Associates has a great opportunity available! We’re a high-volume, diversified, multi-office group practice utilizing state-of-the-art modalities. Great growth for a personable and motivated DPM. Please visitwww.hvfa.com and forward cover letter with CV to info@hvfa.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NYC
Busy surgical podiatry group looking for a part time associate to start immediately. This position can lead to full time work within 6 months. Must be willing to rotate through offices in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Great opportunity for personal and professional Please contact drlevy@starrettpodiatry.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHWEST INDIANA
Busy podiatry practice looking for highly-motivated full time associate to start immediately. Located in Northwest Indiana, about 1 hour from Chicago. Email resume to info@friendlyfootcare.com
PM News Classified Ads Reach over 15,500 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 15,500 DPMs. 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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RE: (Topic)
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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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