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July 19, 2006 #2,634 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com E-mail us by hitting the reply key. COPYRIGHT 2006- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.
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PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn 15 CPME-Approved CME credits Online for only $129 http://www.podiatrym.com/cme.cfm Choose any or all of over 20 CME articles posted You Can Now Take Tests and Print Your CME Certificates Online
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PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS |
MBT Shoes are Well-Made and Comfortable, But Won’t Tone: Pagliano
FOR $235 (and up!) you can buy a funny-looking pair of shoes to make you stand up straight, work your "core," elevate and shape your buttocks and, perhaps ladies, burn some extra calories to eliminate those dimpled saddlebags. Introduced in the U.S. three years ago, the Masai Barefoot Technology, or MBT, as the shoes are known, sport a thick, convex sole, a soft, squishy heel and — under the arch — a hard center.
Physicians, perhaps not surprisingly, are skeptical of the shoes' toning properties. "It does exercise some of the tiny muscles in the feet," said Dr. John Pagliano, a Long Beach-based podiatrist who specializes in sports medicine. "But you don't really need them much. They really are just stabilizing muscles."
Pagliano says he had never heard of the shoes until his college-age daughter bought a pair and they showed up on his credit card bill. He was so furious about the price he had to check them out. The podiatrist, who is also a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, said the shoes are well-made, but dismisses most of the studies on MBTs as so small they "are really not significant." But the shoes are comfortable, he conceded. "I hate to tell you this," he said. "But I think I might buy a pair."
Source: Hilary E. MacGregor, Los Angeles Times [7/17/06]
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FOOTWAY CUSTOM MOLDED PLASTAZOTE(R) DIABETIC INSERTS
3 PAIRS FOR $60.00---UNBEATABLE PRICE!!
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AT THE COLLEGES |
Patton Appointed as Director of MPH Program at Barry
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Richard T. Patton, MA, MPH |
Richard T. Patton, MA, MPH, CHES, has been appointed to serve as the new director of the Barry University Professional Master of Public Health Program and director of the Institute for Community Health and Minority Medicine by Dr. Chet Evans, vice president for medical affairs. Patton's duties will include teaching courses in the MPH program, overseeing all administrative responsibilities for both the MPH program and the Institute, leading the planning, development, and implementation of the Institute's research for expanding Barry University's efforts to train minority health professionals and reduce the barriers to care for minority and medically underserved individuals.
Patton holds an MPH from the University of North Carolina and an MA in nutrition from the University of Florida. His research interests are in the standards of practice for diabetics and in behavior change strategies for obesity. "Students enrolled in the professional MPH program at Barry University will be looking at health from a different perspective, working diligently on public health issues, and having fun because public health is amazing as well as amusing," according to Patton.
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COMPARE SAFESTEP TO ALL OTHER SHOE PROGRAMS AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
Why SafeStep? SafeStep offers the most shoe styles, the lowest prices and provides the easiest, most profitable way to participate in the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program. Shoes from $39, custom inserts from $69/3 prs. Earn as much as $200 for at-risk diabetic patients you fit with shoes and inserts. SafeStep features Aetrex Ariya, Aetrex Athletic, Apex Ambulator Biomechanical, Apex Ambulator Conform, OrthoFeet, Brooks, Pedors, New Balance, Hush Puppies, Soft Spots, Acor and Santuit. Need a DME Supplier Number? SafeStep sends you the forms you need -already filled out! - FREE electronic Medicare billing FREE billing of Richie and Arizona AFO's - FREE annual patient reminder letters for new shoes - Easy, no-cost returns. GET 5 FREE SAMPLE SHOES WHEN YOU REGISTER. For More Information and to Register for FREE. www.SafeStep.net 866-712-STEP
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MEDICARE NEWS |
Medicare Angst Over Proposed Reductions for Complex Procedures
Some hospitals, physicians and, patient advocacy groups raise concerns over a proposal by CMS to revise Medicare reimbursements to hospitals that would reduce payments by 20% to 30% for many complex procedures and new technologies.
CMS in April announced the proposal, which includes the closure of loopholes used by specialty hospitals and a plan to replace the current charge-based reimbursement system with a cost-based system. According to a coalition of advocacy groups that includes the Parkinson's Action Network and the Society for Women's Health Research, the proposal "could have a devastating impact on payment for critical treatments for seriously ill patients." HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt maintains that the proposal would make the reimbursement system more accurate.
Source: American Health Line [7/17/06]
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MEETINGS / COURSES
PM PODIATRY HALL OF FAME LUNCHEON
August 8, 2006 – Las Vegas
Honoring WARREN JOSEPH, DPM
Limited On-Site Sales - Buy Your Tickets Now!
PM News subscribers are invited to see Dr. Joseph inducted in the Podiatry Management Hall of Fame, including a video roast by Harry Goldsmith, DPM, and others.
All ticket proceeds go to the APMA Educational Foundation Student Endowment Fund Reserve your tickets now by sending $45 per ticket to: APMA Educational Foundation, 9312 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
This event is co-sponsored by Dermik Laboratories, Inc, Doak Dermatologics, Merck & Co., and Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.
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For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf
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CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: Medicare Post Op Cast Application Denial
I continue to be denied by Medicare for CPT 29405 done in the office in the post-op period. The Medicare phone reps tell me that ALL cast applications are included in the global payment for the surgery. I was told, however, by our Medicare training specialist that follow-up (after the initial) cast applications should be paid separate from the surgery. Which is correct? What should I do?
Deena Rolicheck
Response: Cast material and subsequent (after the initial) application of casts are not part of the global surgery package.
I would recommend you add a "-58" (staged procedure) modifier to the cast application code when one is applied during the post op period. You should receive payment using that modifier.
Denise Paige, CPC, Long Beach, CA
Codingline subscription information can be found at http://www.codingline.com/subscribe.htm
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HEALTHCARE ATTORNEY
Joseph J. LaBarbera, Esq., law practice dedicated to healthcare law, offers 27 years experience representing healthcare practitioners and represents podiatrists in all areas of practice including: group practice, employment, buy sell, merger, Medicare opt-out, dissolution, and office lease/acquisition agreements; before the NYS Educ. Dept., 3rd party payors (private/government), malpractice carriers, in license, fraud and staff privileges actions and audits; and in compliance, e.g., E&M coding, antikickback/restricted referral laws and HIPAA. e-mail to jlb@NYhealthlawyers.com or contact the firm by phone at 212-697-3430. For more information, visit our website http://www.NYhealthlawyers.com
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RESPONSES / COMMENTS |
RE: Patients Who Steal Supplies (Joel Lang, DPM) From: Jon Purdy, DPM, Art Hatfield, DPM I take a different approach to this scenario and have unfortunately had to do so in the past. There is a term for the case where supplies are missing after a patient or patient's guardian was in a room, this is called "theft." If you and another office person witnessed the disappearance of your items only after a particular patient was in the room, that would be evidence enough for me to confront the patient. In my case, our staff noticed some of our supplies in a bag the patient brought into the room. The patient was there with her son. The son left the room when the patient was getting x-rays. When this was brought to my attention, I waited in the room for the return of the patient. I asked her directly how my supplies ended up in her bag. Of course she blamed it all on her son who was no longer there. I took my supplies back, and informed her of my policy on theft. She was informed that she would no longer be able to be accompanied by anyone, her treatment room door would be left open, except during treatment, and if I ever caught her or anyone with her stealing from me again, I would call the police and have them arrested. She left with a cast on her leg and I never saw her again. I don't care about the cost of the item being stolen. Theft is theft and I will always confront the thief. Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA, podiatrist@mindspring.com
Within the past two months I caught a patient stealing gauze rolls. I was walking down the hall and heard the metal lid of the glass container closing. When I walked in the room the patient was walking away from the treatment cabinet. I asked him what he had done. He denied anything. When I asked him what the bulge was in his pocket he removed the gauze rolls and apologized. It angered me that a patient would steal from me. It also irritated me that I had to re-sterile the whole contained as he likely removed the gauze by Reaching in with his contaminated hand.
As I have stated several times in this form, some patients are not worth the trouble. Since he is a non-compliant patient I was hoping he would be to embarrassed to return. I was wrong he still comes to me, but thankfully his wounds are mostly healed. I disagree with Dr. Lang. Why would anyone want a patient who has so little respect for you that they would steal from you?
Art Hatfield, DPM, Long Beach, CA, AFOOTJOB@juno.com
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ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND
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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR SALE- PENNSYLVANIA
4 Micromac 300 "Podo spray" Nail Buzzers-- ($1500- retail) $100 each. 1 X-ray processor- Good condition- $500 each. 3 X-ray View boxes-Fair condition- $50 each. As Is. Shipping will be added. Questions or Interest, Email: barb@martinfootandankle.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 centexfootdoc1@aol.com
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
WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75
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Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most- effective way of reaching over 8,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com
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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
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