July 08, 2006 #2, 625 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Sun Burn of Feet a Common Blunder: DC Podiatrist

Most of us are guilty of some form of sun worship. When the weather is bright, we lounge at the beach, run out for a round of golf or putter in the garden. Such simple acts of leisure can lead to more serious consequences than sunburn. Daily exposure to ultraviolet rays can add up to premature aging, wrinkles and skin cancer.

A higher SPF number isn't necessarily giving you more protection from the sun; instead, it's protecting you for a longer period of time. And even if you understand SPF, you may not be applying your sunblock correctly. Dr. Arnold Ravick, a podiatrist in Washington, D.C., and spokesman for the American Podiatric Medical Association, says during the summer, he treats several patients for sunburns on their feet, a common blunder.

"I've had people not be able to wear shoes for a week," Ravick says.

Source: Susan Yara, Forbes [7/7/06]

IN Podiatrist Recalls Glory Days of South Bend Rock ‘n’ Roll Venture

It’s just a Carpet Expo now, but 37 years ago, on weekend nights, this barn-like building on Edison Road was crawling with longhaired teens droning "Hey, man.” It was the Edison Light, and it was a place to hang out and hear pop and rock 'n' roll. Bands played there every Friday and Saturday night, beginning in late 1968.

Dr. Frank C. Toepp

"We started from scratch, because we wanted it to be the best," says Dr. Frank C. Toepp, a South Bend podiatrist who served as president of the management corporation which financed, built and operated Edison Light. Toepp and his wife, Rosemary, were raising five children at the time, and two of them were young teens.

Toepp, who is now 78, says he and the other investors were very disappointed when they had to close it down. Toepp, who still works part time as a foot doctor, says the investors all got along well and were deeply committed to the community.

Source: Judy Bradford, South Bend Tribune [7/5/06]

Canadian Podiatrist Appointed to Miss Universe Canada Position

Hartley Miltchin, DPM has been appointed the official podiatrist of Miss Universe Canada. He will provide services for the current Miss Universe and the current Miss Universe Canada.

Miltchin will be present at the Miss Universe Pageant taking place in Los Angeles, CA on July 23rd at the Shrine auditorium, and is an invited guest to Donald Trump's after party.

Pressure Mounts on Hospitals to Reduce Risks of Stark-Law Violations

Pressure is mounting on hospitals to review their physician deals for potential Stark law violations and to consider what steps to take when violations are uncovered. Hospitals face the twin challenges of cleaning up common contractual violations and avoiding the danger inherent in not returning money stemming from illegal financial relationships, experts say.

Officials from the HHS Office of Inspector General again have been encouraging providers to use the OIG Self-Disclosure Protocol to bring Stark violations to the government's attention. Examples of problems that organizations may discover if they review for Stark compliance:
(1) Expired contracts.
(2) Financial relationships where no contract ever existed.
(3) The parties modify the financial terms without putting the modifications in writing.
(4) The terms were modified during the first year of the financial arrangement (some Stark exceptions require the terms to be in place for one year).
(5) The agreement incorrectly describes the service (e.g., a lease agreement describes a space of 1,000 square feet but it is really 1,200 square feet, or a medical director agreement calls for a physician to work 100 hours a year, but the physician works only 80 hours in a year.)
(6) The hospital gives a gift or benefit to a doctor that exceeds Stark's $322 de minimis exception. The exception allows hospitals to give small gifts totaling no more than $322 a year to referral sources without triggering a financial relationship for Stark purposes.

Source: Report On Medicare Compliance, [7/3/06]

Make more money while increasing staff, patient, and physician satisfaction by attending a power packed one-day practice management meeting being held by the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Medicine http://www.aappm.org on Saturday, July 22, 2006 (optional and complimentary comprehensive coding and billing session Sunday morning) at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. What makes this THE ultimate meeting of the year? A wide array of practical topics presented by podiatric experts, inexpensive room rate for premier Marriott Hotel, low-cost registration, peer exchange and roundtable discussions, workshop specifically to address maximizing billing and coding, no weekday away from the office, and special reduced rates for residents and new practitioners. See program brouchure at www.aappm.org

For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf

RE: The Rising Cost of Healthcare
From: Howard R. Fox, DPM, Paul Kesselman, DPM

I would like to take issue with the piece on the rising costs of healthcare. This, and may other articles we see almost daily in the media are not really talking about healthcare, as much as they are talking about healthcare insurance, the cost of which continues to rise, unabated and unchallenged in America. This forum is the last group of readers who need to be told how healthcare insurance premiums are rising, and how healthcare insurance reimbursements remain unchanged over decades and then decrease. And to make matters worse, healthcare insurance has become increasingly bureaucratic and inefficient, despite the introduction of electronic claims submission, saving healthcare insurance companies millions.

I’m not sure where all the money goes, but we all know where it’s not going. Yet, the public gets the same mantra drummed into their heads about the rising costs of healthcare. Healthcare is more reasonable and competitive than ever. Healthcare insurance costs are spiraling out of control, with no governmental oversight or incentive to increase efficiency of claims management.

Healthcare insurance companies reap record profits while articles like this give the unknowing public the impression we doctors are to blame for the rising premiums. The Millman Medical Index reported a 9.6% increase in healthcare costs for a family of four from last year. So doctor, have you decided how you will spend your extra 9.6% income this year?

Howard R. Fox, DPM, Staten Island, NY foxhr@yahoo.com

I sat down this evening to read the paper and take my mind off the stresses of the day. I found myself reading an article about heavy duty equipment operators in NYC striking over a refusal to take an offer for a 10% pay hike over their current $82.00 an hour salary. This of course fails to mention that the benefits package also includes free medical, dental, life, health and disability insurance.

While I harbor no ill will for these hard working men and women, who often work in deplorable and somewhat dangerous conditions, I found myself thinking, once again that our society has truly got it wrong. Doctors are paid wages far below $82.00 an hour, often with significantly higher liabilities than most other skilled workers, and only after enduring far more schooling than the prospective $90.00 an hour heavy duty equipment operator. No one of course provides free medical, dental, life, health and disability insurance for self employed physicians.

I then walked outside, to try and forget about this mess, and find another way to distress. This only led me to see my neighbor, a steel worker who works 30 hours a week and makes about the same amount of money as the aforementioned heavy duty equipment operator. Of course his skills and work buddies helped him with the additions and other luxuries he made on his house at a fraction of the cost than us “unskilled” physicians could ever imagine.

The question I ask is: Were my parents wrong to suggest that I should study hard so I wouldn’t have to work like a construction worker? Maybe they should have given me a hammer and saw and said: “Join a union so you won’t have to work as hard as a doctor.”

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – SONOCUR ESWT

I have a Siemens Sonocur shockwave FDA-approved machine for sale $70,000. Call 416-545-1166 or email: dracula65@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – TEXAS

Full time associate position for a PSR-24 podiatrist to join established dynamic medical and surgical practice in Central Texas. Looking for a personable, motivated, ethical, hardworking individual to join our board certified group. Please send resumes or CV to Centrexfootdoc1@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- LAUREL, MARYLAND (SUBURBS WASHINGTON DC)

Great opportunity for a hard working, ethical podiatrist to join a vibrant, successful podiatric medical and surgical practice. ASC on site . Practice has dedicated, supportive staff with marketing knowledge. Board eligible/certified referred . Surgical residency. Competitive salary with bonus. Fax CV to 240 465 0332

PRACTICE FOR SALE--BUFFALO, NY

Part time practice with full time possibilities. Mix of conservative, biomechanics and diabetic foot care. Good surgical potential. Gross 180K. Willing to stay through transition. Call 716-836-8123.

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

House Call practice for sale which includes approx. 400 patients and continued referrals. erfect for solo practitioner. Extremely easy and profitable practice to run. Yearly gross of over $200K. Current DPM is retiring. Financials will also be provided. Please contact
ccipinc@ccipinc.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION- KANSAS CITY, MO

Excellent opportunity for a hard working, ethical podiatrist to join a vibrant, successful and growing podiatric medical and surgical practice. Dedicated, supportive staff with strong marketing and medical knowledge. Must be board eligible/certified. PSR/24. Partnership opportunity. Competitive salary, bonus structure, benefits. Wonderful place to raise a family. Fax CV to 816-455-8901

ASSOCIATE POSITION- NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON

32 year old established podiatry practice for sale immediately. 2 treatment rooms, 1 surgical suite, x-ray room, sterilization equipment, and private office area. Located at busy intersection, only 2 blocks from major hospital. $50,000 or Best Offer. Please call 509-525-2863 or email darcycharlesDPM@charter.net , if you are interested.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - ESWT - BEST OFFER CONSIDERED NOW!!!!

If you are using or thinking of using ESWT, I have a new machine that has only been used twice. There is no Orbasone in the country priced like this one. Will provide training and installation. Take a look at http://www.orbasone.com Call 1-856-229-2939.

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