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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 17,313 Subscribers Daily
July 13, 2016 #5,706  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2016- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL |
Quick Poll
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How will the changing healthcare environment affect your retirement plans? |
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 1 | |
Proper Diagnosis of Heel Pain Often Requires a Foot Specialist: NY Podiatrist
If you’re experiencing heel pain, you can try any of a number of over-the-counter remedies. But often it’s a visit to your podiatrist that will provide the best answer to your questions and the real cure for your condition.
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Dr. Jennifer Sweet |
"Although plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, if symptoms persist despite attempts at self-treatment, you should seek a specialist," said Jennifer Sweet, DPM, of UHS. "Improper shoes are often the culprit, but faulty foot structure can also play a role. A podiatrist can ensure a proper diagnosis and suggest other treatment approaches."
Source: Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin [7/11/16]
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS - PART 2 | |
AL Podiatrist Warns of Lawnmower Accidents
Avoid turning your lawn into a "toe-away" zone and use extra caution when operating a power lawnmower, warn surgeons of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). "We still see too many foot injuries from power lawnmowers," says foot and ankle surgeon and ACFAS Fellow Member James Thomas, DPM, FACFAS. "The blades whirl at 3,000 revolutions per minute and produce three times the kinetic energy of a .357 handgun. We see patients who have been hurt while operating a mower barefoot! Foot injuries range from dirty, infection-prone lacerations to severed tendons to amputated toes."
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Dr. James Thomas |
If a mower accident occurs - even just a minor injury - Dr. Thomas says immediate treatment is necessary to flush the wound thoroughly and apply antibiotics to prevent infection. Superficial wounds can be treated on an outpatient basis, but more serious injuries usually require surgical intervention to repair tendon and toe damage. If you have suffered any sort of foot or ankle lawnmower injury, seek emergency care immediately and follow-up with a foot and ankle surgeon.
Source: CBS-8 [7/11/16]
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| STATE PODIATRY NEWS | |
NC Podiatrist Appointed to NC Board of Podiatry Examiners
North Carolina Governor Patrick McCrory has appointed T. Eric Siceloff, DPM, of Novant Health Triad Foot & Ankle Associates, Winston-Salem, NC to a three-year term on the Board of Podiatry Examiners of North Carolina. Dr. Siceloff will serve as the Board’s Vice President.
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Dr. T. Eric Siceloff |
Continuing on the Board will be William J. O’Neill, DPM, of InStride Carolina Foot Care Associates of Statesville and Clemmons, NC, as its President; Christine R. Wright of Cornerstone Health Care, PA, of High Point, NC, as its Secretary-Treasurer; and Tanzy B. Wallace of Shelby, NC, as the Board’s Public Member.
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| PODIATRIC ECONOMICS | |
Podiatrists Among the Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in CT
Career website Zippia has compiled a list of the top 100 highest paid jobs across the state, compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The list was determined by observing the BLS’s data set for all 640 job classifications in the state to identify the highest paid positions. The list also provides the entry level salary of the position, as well as the number of people in the state who hold it.
Podiatrists ranked in 16th position with a starting salary of $45,300 and an average salary of $152,960, placing them ahead of lawyers with a starting salary of $78,120 and an average salary of $147,100. The survey was based on 100 podiatric salaries reported.
Source: RJ Scofield, Norwalk Patch [7/10/16]
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| SUCCESS TIPS FROM THE MASTERS | |
Bret Ribotsky: Doctors today seem to need to practice compliance more than they are practicing medicine. Is there something that can be done to change this?
Kevin West: I gave a presentation in January to 300+ healthcare attorneys on the total number of ways that doctors could face audits. At the end of the hour talk, I was up to 22 different audits or investigations that physicians could face.
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Kevin West, Esq. |
Bret Ribotsky: So doctors need to keep compliant with 22 different programs, all while reimbursement for services continues to go down.
Kevin West: I hear that a lot, but when you talk with the government people, they report that the attrition rate from Medicare physicians is less than 1%.
Meet the Masters airs live every Tuesday night. This week's guest is to be announced. You can register for future events by clicking here..
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| HEALTHCARE AND POLITICS | |
Pharma $ Went Overwhelmingly to Lawmakers Against Medicare Part B Overhaul
After the Obama administration unveiled a proposal to overhaul Medicare Part B four months ago, a large number of lawmakers quickly and very vocally opposed the effort. Now, a new analysis finds that drug makers, who are worried the plan will cut into their revenue, have given them considerably more financial support than lawmakers who have not raised objections.
Specifically, 310 lawmakers who either signed two letters opposing the overhaul or were critical of it received a total of more than $7.2 million from pharmaceutical and health products companies for their 2016 campaigns, according to the analysis by Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy group, which released its analysis on Monday. And the amount given to each representative averaged more than $23,300.
Source: Ed Silverman, Stat [7/11/16]
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| PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY | |
MACRA, MIPS, and APMs — Are You Ready? - Part 1
With the passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), CMS has proposed a Quality Measure Development Plan that will combine all of the existing quality reporting programs into one new system. To report quality measures, providers will participate in either the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and/or Alternative Payment Models (APMs).
First, do you qualify? If you have $10,000 or less in Medicare charges and 100 or fewer Medicare patients annually, then you are exempt from MIPS participation. Otherwise, you need to participate in a MIPS or APM model.
MIPS
CMS anticipates most small practices will participate in MIPS. MIPS adjustments are budget neutral, and a scaling factor will be applied based on quality and cost measures to make total upward and downward adjustments equal. If you participate in MIPS, you will need to monitor the various components that are being combined to maximize your potential incentives:
Source: Susanne Madden, Physicians Practice [7/6/16]
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| QUERIES (CLINICAL) | |
Query: Treatment for Scopulariopsis sp
I have seen this non-dermatophyte mold, Scopulariopsis sp, frequently on KOH and culture reports. While this may be a contaminant, or the cause of the fungal problem, I would like to know what antifungal medications are effective on this particular mold.
Edmond F. Mertzenich, DPM, Rockford, IL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1A | |
From: Brian Fullem, DPM
Dr. Steinberg, no need to call me out for bias. I stated that I have run in Hokas for 4 years and my opinion was being presented; by definition a personal opinion or experience is biased. I also do not believe calling 12mm drop old thinking is a negative thing. Different horses for different courses, maximalist is a new category, just like minimalist. I just recommended to a patient to switch to a 12mm heel drop instead of his current Hokas.
Dr. Steinberg, you are reading a little bit too much in what I wrote, I have no agenda and am not paid by any shoe companies.
Brian Fullem, DPM, Clearwater, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1B | |
From: George Jacobson, DPM
The original post and my post were not referring to the utilization of the shoes for runners. They're two separate discussions. I think that all respondents may agree on this and that perhaps we can help some of our patients who are working on their feet for a living. We make our recommendations to individual foot types and pathologies, and we don't want to over- generalize in our discussions.
I don't recommend individual shoes (brands). I educate my patients about what qualities to look for due to their pathology, and have samples of different types of athletic shoes in the office. I also cut some athletic shoes longitudinally in half (sagittal plane) to help with their education and understanding. Some patients say they have good athletic shoes at home and then bring in a flimsy, flexible "sneaker" (Keds). They can intuitively see the difference with my sample.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL
Editor's note: This topic is now closed.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Al Musella, DPM
I have to agree with Drs. Kass and Udell. Perhaps if our APMA leadership approached the 2 presidential candidates and explained the situation, we could get at least one of them on our side and propose a "Medicare Simplification Act". Show the candidates the documentation for these new programs and ask if they could understand it, and see how it cannot possibly improve the quality of medicine today. Whichever party proposed a Medicare simplification act would get my vote.
Get rid of all of the nonsense. Have Medicare go back to being an insurance company like in the early 1990s and not try to change how medicine is practiced. It all started with the Evaluation and Management services. Go back to one code for a brief visit and one for an office visit. It is just too complicated and fraught with the temptation to overbill by doing more bullet points, or to be too cautious and underbill. The process should be simple enough that more time should be spent with the patient than trying to figure out if you have enough bullet points to get to the next payment level.
This "quality of care" campaign has nothing to do with quality but with saving money for Medicare. Each of these changes by themselves may have made a little sense, but taken together as a whole, they have bogged down the system and made it impossible to concentrate on the patients. The bottom line is that it has made life miserable for the majority of doctors, and we do not deserve this. If they really want to improve quality, they should increase the fees to cover the cost of ancillary personal to keep up with the quality of care campaigns and not expect the doctor to worry about it. Perhaps they should add a CPT code for "Quality of care reporting" and pay $50 for it.
Al Musella, DPM, Hewlett, NY
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoes of the Day
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The "Heels" are alive with the Sound of Music! (photo: Charlotte Visser) |
These shoes have a built-in music box playing My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music.
Source: Linda van Reenen viaVirtual Shoe Museum
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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 $210
(Only $14 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 1 - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
PART-TIME PODIATRIST POSITION – CHICAGO, IL
Immediate part-time position available (2-3 days a week). Excellent opportunity to join a busy practice with an in-office Ambulatory Surgical Suite in Chicago, IL. Hospital privileges available at 2 local hospitals with resident coverage. The associate role would involve a wide range of patients including: forefoot, rearfoot, diabetic wound care, sports and work-related injuries. Excellent opportunity for a driven personable person. Please e-mail Cover letter and CV to: wkcastle@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS- HOME FOOT CARE, INC
We are looking for podiatrists to visit home patients in these areas: Los Angeles, Ventura County, Santa Barbara, Lancaster/Palmdale, San Bernardino/Riverside, and Palm Springs/Palm Desert, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Honolulu, HI. Full/part time, independence, excellent compensation, dedicated support staff, EMR. email CV to: homefootcare@hotmail.com. check us out @ www.footdocs2u.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK CITY
Highly ethical and motivated practitioner sought. Experienced, assertive, podiatric surgeon wanted. All aspects of forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle surgery. Board qualified or certified. Please send C.V. to bunioncenter135@yahoo.com or call 917 284 5096
ASSOCIATE WANTED IMMEDIATELY - NAPLES FLORIDA
Doctor retiring. Great opportunity for PSR- 24/36 BE/BC podiatrist with strong surgical skills to join multi-office practice. Hospital privileges available at 648 bed hospital system, 200 bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. Florida has a great scope of practice law and we rotate for ER call at all 4 hospitals. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated. Established practitioner or new practitioner Email CV to Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.com.
ASSOCIATE FULL TIME POSITION – PHILADELPHIA AND PHILADELPHIA SUBURBS
Large Multi-specialty practice looking for motivated full time non-surgical podiatrist. 40/hr/week. Office-based practice with multiple locations treating musculoskeletal / sports medicine patients. No palliative care. Must have Pennsylvania license or have passed PM-Lexis. Board certification or eligibility required. Excellent Salary with Full Benefits (Health, 401K, CME allowance) Partnership Opportunity. Please forward a cover letter, CV and availability to Podiatrist@job4u.com
FULL-TIME PODIATRIST - DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA
PSR 24-36 Trained Multi-dimensional, Multi-office group treating a wide range of patients to include: forefoot, rearfoot, diabetic wound care, sports medicine and work-related injuries. Modern offices and equipment. A great opportunity for driven personable individual. Please e-mail the following: Cover letter, CV, Letter of references Email: cnunez1940@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION- LONG ISLAND, NY
Multi-office podiatry practice in Central/Eastern Suffolk County seeks full/part time associate, leading to partnership. New York State license required. Must be self-motivated and energetic. Competitive compensation package. Please email CV to newpodiatrist@optimum.net.
FULL-TIME/PART-TIME PODIATRIST POSITION – ANNAPOLIS, MD
Immediate position available for full-time or part-time. GREAT opportunity to join a thriving practice with an in-office Ambulatory Surgical Center in beautiful Annapolis, Maryland. The associate role is for an independent thinker who is board qualified or certified ABFAS. Prefer licensed in Maryland but will consider licensing the right candidate. The capital city of Annapolis is located on the Chesapeake Bay and offers easy access to both Baltimore and D.C. Staff privileges available at the growing Anne Arundel Medical Center. If you are ready to hit the ground running, email cover letter and resume tomokane@podiatrygroup.us.
ASSOCIATE WANTED - NORTH NJ
Immediate opening for surgically trained associate leading to partnership/buy out. Base plus Bonus Package depend on experience. BQ/BC ABFAS. 1+ years of office experience is preferred. Must be a hard worker and willing to build practice. footandanklejob@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – CALIFORNIA
Well-established practice North San Diego coastal seeking associate with opportunity for future partnership position. Great location and medical environment. Must have California license. Board Qual/Cert by the ABFAS, and an interest in full range of podiatric services. Please email resume and cover letter to tricitypod@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK CITY
Highly ethical and motivated practitioner sought. Experienced, assertive, podiatric surgeon wanted. All aspects of forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle surgery. Board qualified or certified. Please send C.V. to bunioncenter135@yahoo.com or call 917 284 5096
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTH EAST TEXAS
Immediate opportunity for a podiatrist with at least 3 years of training to join our practice. We are looking for someone who is motivated, ethical, and personable. We currently have 3 offices, and are offering competitive salary plus benefits with the potential for partnership. Must be BC or BQ by ABFAS. Current TX/AR podiatry license preferred, but not required. Candidates should email their CV and letter of interest to: advancedfootandanklecare@yahoo.com
POSITIONS AVAILABLE - ROCHESTER, SYRACUSE, UTICA, LITTLE FALLS AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Looking for podiatrists to see residents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in Rochester, Syracuse, and their surrounding areas. Great opportunity for full-time or part-time income. Positions available immediately! inquiries to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.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@prodigy.net 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 2 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Growing practice for sale.EHR system in place for over 5 years. 300 new patients seen in the first 6 months of 2016. Great need for additional podiatry care. Practice has met Meaningful Use -- Stage I and II. Opportunity to grow surgical volume and patient base Patient referrals 60% from local physicians New hospital within a few miles of this office CONTACT: Business Broker: David Owji atinfo@DoctorsBroker.com 407-252-5276; 877-955-4447; www.doctorsbroker.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - SAN DIEGO, CA
Prime location. In practice 37 years. Retiring. Turn-key. Surgical hospital privileges available. Purchase equipment and assume patient care. Progressive, full-scope practice. Employees willing to stay. I will help with transition. This is a unique opportunity! No strings attached, and no hidden agenda…simply paying it forward as it was done for me. Inquiries: martintaubman@gmail.com To visit the practice website: www.feetsandiego.com
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
3 Midmark 417 Podiatry Chairs $3,500 each, 2 4 drawer and 1 stationary Midmark treatment cabinets $900 each, Autoclaves 1 Pelton Crane $1,200, 1 Midmark M9 $1,700, PAD Net Vascular testing device $8,000, New Med 7000 i Vascular Analyzer $1,000, Birtcher Hyfercator $500, 2 Burdick Ultrasound units $600 each Call (239) 566-8800 or email Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.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@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800)
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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.
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