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July 11, 2012 #4,511 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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GA Podiatrist, Wife, Youngest Daughter Killed in Plane Crash

A Columbus podiatrist killed Sunday in a plane crash along with his wife and the youngest of their three daughters is remembered as a mentor and humanitarian known for mission trips to other countries. Dr. James Bartley Jr., his wife, Terry Bartley, and their daughter Caroline Bartley died Sunday afternoon when the Piper PA-32 they were in crashed about 35 miles northeast of Tupelo, MS, in the northeast corner of the state.

Dr. James Bartley, Jr. with daughter Caroline

"They were good people -- strong, religious, humanitarians," said Dr. Alap Shah, another podiatrist who worked with Bartley. "I learned from him every day." The cause of the crash is unknown. Federal authorities are investigating.

Source: Alan Riquelmy, Ledger-Enquirer [7/9/12]

OCPM is Now the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) has officially become the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, effective July 1. The college was established in 1916 and is one of the largest and most respected podiatric medical education institutions in the country, and the only accredited podiatry school in Ohio. A ribbon-tying event and celebration of the successful partnership will take place at the college on Aug. 8th.

Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine

The friendly acquisition was designed to provide the best education and training for podiatric students, giving them expanded academic options, including in such areas as public health, biomedical sciences, medical ethics, and sports medicine. The merger with Kent State also offers strategic research and teaching collaborations. “This partnership with Kent State is truly a positive opportunity for the college and our students,” said Dr. Thomas V. Melillo, chief executive officer of the College of Podiatric Medicine at Kent State. “This is truly a win-win situation for both organizations. The college will now be part of a larger academic entity that can provide more resources for our students, and Kent State will have its only graduate medical college, which only increases its professional status.”

Runners Should be Examined Before Trying Barefoot: NZ Podiatrist

Trainer James Kuegler advises his clients to start with a 1km run in bare feet first, no matter how fit they are. "The muscles are stretching out and doing more work with every step. You're essentially using muscle that hasn't been used before." Bruce Baxter, president of Podiatry New Zealand, agrees people need to be careful. "It's not just a question of taking your shoes off, but whether your running is actually any better without shoes," says Baxter.

Bruce Baxter

In many cases, it is possible to improve posture and technique without removing your shoes entirely. And people with foot problems should be wary of ditching all support. "The most sensible thing to do is to be examined first," says Baxter.

Source: Susan Edmonds, New Zealand Herald

PA Podiatrist Now Acknowledges King of Ga People

A Philadelphia doctor and prominent Ghanaian expatriate once doubted a former Palmer Township man's claim of being King of the Ga people.

(L-R) John Quartey, king of Ga People with Dr. Samuel Quartey

Now Dr. Samuel Quartey, a podiatrist in Philadelphia, says he was wrong and John Quartey, who graduated from Easton Area High School in 1998, is indeed a king.

Source: JD Malone, The Morning Call [7/8/12]

Number of Medicare ACOs More Than Doubles

Medicare's accountable-care experiment, which seeks to revamp how hospitals and doctors get paid, more than doubled in size, with 89 newly named participants. The CMS added the latest accountable care organizations to 27 ACOs in its shared-savings program, which offers medical groups, hospitals, and federally-qualified health centers financial incentives for quality improvement and cost control. An additional 38 organizations operate under other Medicare accountable care contracts.

“The Medicare ACO program opened for business in January, and already, more than 2.4 million beneficiaries are receiving care from providers participating in these important initiatives,” acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said in a statement.

Source: Melanie Evans and Jessica Zigmond, Modern Healthcare [7/9/12]

Query: Recovery Time for Bunionectomy for Karate Artist

A potential patient called to make an initial appointment but wanted to ask a question before coming. She is a past Israel champion in tae kwan do, and she breaks wooden boards with her feet (forefoot!). Although she is now in her 50s, this activity is very important to her. She wanted to know, If she comes to me for bunion surgery, how long must she wait before she can go back to breaking wooden boards with her feet? 

Richard Jaffe, DPM, Jerusalem, Israel

Query: CPT 11043 or CPT 28003?

Which code, CPT 11043 (debridement, muscle and/or fascia [includes epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, if performed]; first 20 sq cm or less) or  CPT 28003 (incision and drainage below fascia, with or without tendon sheath involvement, foot; multiple areas), would be more/most appropriate for the excision of tissue left foot, including muscle, tendon, fascia, fat, and necrotic tissue? The advantages and disadvantages of each of the coding options would be appreciated.

Kathy Campbell, CPC, Office of Walter Warren, DPM, Seymour, IN

Response: Always select the CPT code that best describes what you did. They are two totally different procedures for two totally different conditions. If you were incising tissue for a deep drainage (below the fascia), then I recommend CPT 28003. If you are debriding an ulcer/wound, then I recommend CPT 11043.

Your description matches CPT 11043.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

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RE: Primary Care Providers
From: W. David Herbert DPM, JD

About the time I was first licensed as a podiatrist (1976), I remember that an attempt was made to expand the practice act in California. The emphasis was on trying to include ankle surgery in the practice act. There was a statement included that podiatrists could also provide primary care. It seems to me that the big fight was over ankle surgery, and the primary care clause almost survived because the orthopods really were not concerned about podiatrists treating the sniffles. I offer this for historical perspective.

W. David Herbert DPM, JD, Billings, MT, herbert.dpm.rn@gmail.com

RE: Number of Medicare ACOs More Than Doubles
From: Lloyd S. Smith, DPM

CMS announced today that 89 additional ACOs would be formed in addition to the Pioneer ACOs previously revealed. APMA is looking for members who are part of these ACOs to update the APMA ACO task force on their involvement with these ACOs. If you are an APMA member and part of any of these ACOs, have been denied access, are being treated in a discriminatory fashion, or have anything else to reveal, please let us know. 

The ACO movement could be changing the entire landscape of contracting, reimbursement, and practice behavior. APMA is totally committed to supporting APMA members involved in issues related to ACOs. If you prefer to communicate directly with me, please do so.
 
Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, Newton, MA, lloydpod@yahoo.com

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