The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

July 26, 2008 #3,308 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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APMA Hawaii Meeting Opens in Grand Style

Over a 1,000 podiatrists have convened in this tropical paradise for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The grand opening ceremony featured a presentation of an award to Honolulu’s Mayor Mufi Hannemann for the city being named as one of the 10 best walking cities in America.

Drs. David Yee, Garret Noguchi, Ross Taubman, and Grace Pascual

Dr. Ross Taubman, President of the APMA, was presented with a ceremonial paddle by Dr. David Yee, APMA Annual Meeting Committee Member, Dr. Garret Noguchi, President of the Hawaii Podiatric Medical Association (HPMA), and Dr. Grace Pascual, HPMA’s APMAPAC Coordinator.

After a day of state-of-the-art lectures, over 1,300 attendees and their families enjoyed a festive luau.

Beware of Hype About Health Benefits of Shoes: IN Podiatrist

With a slew of products, shoe manufacturers are touting health benefits such as cured back pain, improved posture and diminished varicose veins. From sandals to athletics, shoes have gone high-tech with design features such as rounded soles and heels, extensive cushioning and contoured shapes to mimic walking barefoot. The sheer abundance of shoes and their accompanying claims makes sorting through fact and fiction no easy feat for consumers or even industry professionals.

Dr. Bruce Williams

"It's a lot of hype and often not a lot of supported substance," said Bruce Williams, president-elect of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, who equated the claims to those of energy drinks. "While there may be some truth to the claims ... most people can do a lot better with a decent pair of running shoes or getting more active."

Source: Vikki Conwell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, [07/23/08]

TX Podiatrist Gets Prison in Internet Drug Scam

A federal judge in Dallas has ordered nearly 3 1/2 years in prison for a podiatrist convicted in an Internet-related drug scheme. The U.S. attorney's office says 58-year-old Dr. Salvatore DeFrank, formerly of Plano, must report to prison Sept. 2. DeFrank was convicted of conspiring to distribute controlled substances over the Internet.

Prosecutors say DeFrank in 2003 began to authorize the distribution of controlled substances to Internet customers, acting as the prescribing physician. Investigators say DeFrank was paid per "consultation" with Internet purchasers, without meeting with, reviewing medical records, or communicating with such customers. Texas revoked DeFrank's medical license in May 2005. DeFrank's sentence of 41 months was announced late Tuesday by prosecutors.

Source: AP [7/23/08]

Regaining Lost Patients – Part 1

Regaining lost patients is a good way to improve your bottom line at low-cost. One approach to regaining lost patients is with a well-written letter.

Some Suggestions:

• Let your former patients know that their patronage was appreciated. One study showed that some people may have stopped coming to your office because no one let them know that they were important to the practice.
• Stress the fact that they have really been missed – as individuals, not as names on a list.
• Don’t tell them that you would like to treat them again. Tell them that you would like to serve them.

Source: Adapted from Handbook of Business Letters by L.E. Frailey

Query: Cosmetic Treatment of Psoriatic Nails

What is best treatment for psoriatic nails cosmetically?

Tyler B. Brahm, DPM, Clearwater, FL

Query: Same Patient Seen Twice in a Day

A patient was seen, the charge ticket filled out, and the office visit billed out, but later that same day, the patient injured her foot, and needed to be seen again, the SAME day. Can we bill for another E/M service for the second encounter, same day?

Tammy Kinney, Lake Mary, FL

Response: First, I have to ask... did the patient see the same physician twice on the same day? If yes, I would use both clinical notes to calculate the appropriate single E/M level of service to bill for this date. If it was two different physicians, I would bill an E/M service for each physician.

Terri Phillips, CPC, Metro Tulsa Foot and Ankle, Tulsa, OK

Codingline subscription information can be found here

RE: Bone Stimulators (David Wolf, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

I have been using EBI Medical's bone stimulators with great success. I have also tried the Exogen by Smith and Nephew. The EBI stimulator is more labor-intensive and needs to be worn several hours a day. The Exogen is easier to use and requires less than an hour a day and the criteria are less strict. However, all that being said, if I needed a stimulator I would call EBI and use theirs.

Frank Lattarulo, DPM, New York, NY, doclatt@aol.com

I have use the ultrasonic bone stimulator from Exogen several times this year and love it. 20 minutes a day. Cast or no cast. It is the only bone stimulator approved for fresh fractures. I am 6 for 6 this year with complete healing.

Neil Levin, DPM, Sycamore, IL, DRFEET1@aol.com

You might consider Orthofix or DJOrtho bone stimulators. There are others, but I have found these to work best. There are stimulators that are used from 30 minutes to 12 hours so you may need to contact the different companies and read the white paper studies to make your own decisions.

Roger G. Beck, DPM, Mount Dora, FL, roger.beck@va.gov

RE: Low-cost Electronic Claims (John Moglia, DPM)
From: Judd Davis, DPM

I use an electronic billing company called ENS which charges a flat rate of $29.95/month. You can't beat the price but tech support can be sketchy as some reps are very knowledgeable and others are not. Check out enshealth.com for more info.

Judd Davis, DPM, Colorado Springs, CO, jtdavisco@yahoo.com

SATELLITE CLINIC FOR SALE -- CHICAGO, IL

70-75K over last 3+ years working 2 days/week. Devon/California area. Waiting room, x-ray equipment, and offices/treatment rooms updated over last 2 years. Will stay on for transition. (773)761-5381 DrD@globalpodiatry.com

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE MN: PRIME LAKES AREA

Great place to live and raise a family. 400+K yearly gross with continued growth and potential. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Hospital privileges available. Fully computerized, electronic notes with capability to go completely paperless. Recently remodeled office, 5 tx/procedure rooms, well-equipped in owner occupied building (for sale or lease). 260 402-7490.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - OREGON

Established practice in beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon. Provider practices fulltime and has a well established patient base with a strong patient flow. Practice is well-positioned for new growth and development. Doctor will transition after sale providing introductions to local referrals and health care facilities. Surgery privileges at local hospital and surgery center. Contact: Oregonpractice@comcast.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PITTSBURGH, PA

Excellent opportunity to join busy and established practice for 27 years. Must be graduate of PSR 24+/36 Residency. Terms negotiable. 30-40 hours per week. $100,000+ guaranteed. Please fax resume to (412) 563-0740.

PRACTICES FOR SALE - BROOKLYN & QUEENS

Well-established practices grossing high $200's for sale with approximately 90% C & C and 10% SX. Great locations and visibility. Well-respected doctors and staff willing to stay. Ask about 90-125% financing options with little to nothing down. American Doctor Sales; 614-918-3000 or email us at sell_my_practice@yahoo.com. Please visit us our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION - LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON

Seeking podiatrist for immediate opening in well established podiatry clinic in Longview, WA. Typical podiatric practice, offering biomechanics, surgery, diabetic care, sports medicine. Excellent pay, with incentives for high performers. Malpractice, medical insurance, licensing, CME covered by employer. Please send resume and background references to Michele@nwfootankle.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BOSTON, MA

Associate wanted, Full-time or part-time, for busy long time, well established, and well rounded practice. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Office will generate approximately 100+ surgical cases per year. Must have surgical background for this practice, ABPS Qualified minimum needed to obtain hospital privileges. Associate position is open for partnership or purchase. Contact robert.nunberg@comcast.net

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CALIFORNIA

Coast to Coast Mobile Podiatry Group Seeks Podiatrist with Nursing Home contracts! Join our group and let us handle the back-breaking task of billing and managing your patients. This will equal great compensation for you. Please email us back at coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

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