The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 02, 2010 #3,920 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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High Heels Deform the Body: MY Podiatrist

Along with aching feet and a variety of foot deformities, years of high-heel wearing can actually alter the anatomy of the calf muscles and tendons, according to a study by researchers in England, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Dr. Joanna Youner

"You put on heels, you are going to deform your body. End of story," said New York City podiatrist Dr. Johanna Youner, a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association who was not involved with the research. "High heels look beautiful, but the body isn't meant to wear them. There is no way around it." "I tell a lot of women to put on sneakers and take Aleve," Youner said. "A heel will make a woman's butt stick out and makes the body look taller, thinner. Society pushes us to look a certain way, and all women want to look attractive. In reality, it can be crippling, and it is literally changing the shape of the body."

Source: Jenifer Goodwin, WFSA-TV

NJ Podiatrist Climbs Mt. Rainer for Diabetes Foundation

NJ podiatrist Dr. Steven Reiner recently climbed Mount Rainier in Washington State to raise money and awareness for diabetes on behalf of The Anna Samartino Diabetes Education Foundation. Together with Dr. Steven Reiner, the Vascular Access Centers (VAC) team braved ice, snow, and wind gusts of up to 75 mph during the climb. Safety concerns and stability issues on the glacier posed by the high winds forced the team to turn around only 3,000 feet shy of their destination.  

(L-R) Drs. Steven Reiner and Jim McGuckin CEO & founder of Vascular Access Centers.

The team raised nearly $4,000 for the foundation, showing remarkable strength and perseverance despite the dangerous conditions. Dr. Reiner, who is an insulin-dependent diabetic himself, dedicated the climb to his late mother. Dr. Reiner’s climb up Mount Rainier with his team from VAC is the second of its kind that benefited the Anna Samartino Diabetes Education Foundation.

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters.

Bret Ribotsky: What tips can offer those wishing to improve seminar presentations?

Dr. Steven Kravitz

Steven Kravitz: If you want to get involved in presnting slides, go to conferences and look at how slides are laid out; whether they are good or not. Many conferences provide handouts, which contain printed slides. You should take these back with you and study the most effective layouts. If need technical help, find a friend who knows how to use Powerpoint. If he can do word processing, you can use Powerpoint.

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday Night at 9 PM (EST). The next segment  will be broadcast on August 17th . You can register for this event by clicking here

Use Handwritting For Emphasis

Draw attention to your business letters by handwriting a P.S. using a different color ink than the body of the letter is printed in. That will be the first element that readers note, and the fact that it is handwritten will make your point stand out even more.

Source: Communication Briefings

RE: Documentation on Therapeutic Shoes  
From: Paul Kesselman DPM

The face-to-face requirement has been challenged by the home medical equipment (HME) industry for quite some time. I wholeheartedly support the face-to-face measure, but do not believe it has been implemented nor enforced yet. I can understand the HME industry’s objections for certain patients and circumstances, which are too many to elaborate on here.

For podiatrists, the face-to-face issue is really a non-issue. The diabetic foot exam prior to dispensing the shoes is not only acceptable towards meeting that requirement, but it also is a necessary component of the Therapeutic Shoe for Diabetes (TSD) Policy. I suggest that you research your TSD LCD on your regional DME MAC and look at the attached policy article which stipulates those other healthcare providers whose notes may be acceptable to fit the medical documentation requirements, must be co signed in an acceptable format by the supervising physician who is managing the diabetes.

In your correspondence to the MD/DO, I suggest that you ask them keep a copy of your documentation in their files. Currently no podiatrist has ever failed any audit because the MD/DO doesn't have a copy of the podiatrist’s notes in their patients’ charts.

Many podiatrists have failed the audit because: 1) The podiatrist patient medical record lacks an appropriate diabetic foot exam which meets the medical necessity requirements; and/or 2) The exam was not properly co-signed by the MD/DO in the podiatrist’s medical records.

Further elaboration on this issue will be forthcoming in the October issue of PM.

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

RE: New Platelet Rich Plasma Code
From: Gregory Mangum, DPM

On July 1st, 2010, the following new category III code for the performance of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection procedures was published by the AMA CPT.

Code- 0232T - PRP, any site, including image guidance, harvesting and preparation- not to be used in conjunction with other injection codes (20550,20600,76942), nor can it be part of a larger surgical procedure. More information can be found at: (lists.aaos.org/t/1224/75855/968/0/)
 
Gregory Mangum, DPM, Houston, TX, Gregorymangum@aol.com
 

PRACTICE FOR SALE - DALLAS, TX

Prestigious North Dallas location; 24 year old practice; excellent mix of hospital surgery, office surgery, orthotics, general podiatry, web site, electronic claim submission. Retiring owner will stay for transition. Owner financing available. dallasfootdr@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SW FLORIDA

Golf, Boating and Beaches - Great opportunity to join a well established Podiatry Practice. Excellent mix office/surgery, motivated experienced staff. Seeking full time Associate PSR 12-36. Excellent salary & benefits, early buy-in for the right hard-working, personable candidate. Email resume to capecoralpodiatry@live.com or fax to 239-573-9201

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY - JERSEY SHORE REGION

Part-time associate wanted. Looking for a motivated and ethical practitioner. Competitive salary with incentives. Tuesday AM - Thursday PM - 2 Saturdays/month. Please respond to: NJSHOREFOOTDOC@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA AREA

Full-time associate with opportunity for partnership with group practice. Candidate must be trained in all phases of podiatry including wound care, surgery, and routine podiatric care. Candidate must have a positive and energetic attitude with a desire to grow in our practice. If interested please email your CV to BergD@readinghospital.org

PRACTICE AVAILABLE - WESTERN WASHINGTON

General Podiatry practice in Port Townsend, WA. Nice community, 25+ year old practice, busy 3 days a week with growth potential. Owner leaving area, needs someone to take over the practice, lease and equipment. Contact Jessica at ptpod@yahoo.com or 925-519-0624.

FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE NEEDED FREDERICK/HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND

Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Institute, LLC needs full-time DPM at least PMS 36 to join premier group in Frederick/Hagerstown, MD. ASC, EMR, DR-digital radiography and ultrasound, Vascular/nerve testing, DME, retail store, strong hospital affiliations, salary, bonus and benefits. Respond to drmichaels@rfainstitute.com

PART-TIME/FULL-TIME POSITION – MASSACHUSETTS 
 
Looking for extremely energetic physician for nursing home and assisted living facility. Very generous compensation package. Great opportunity for extra cash. Future  potential for part-time work in our practice and/or in house call practice as well. Please call immediately (978) 794-8406 and ask for Blanca for an interview.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND, NY

Associate full-time. Well-established, busy, well-rounded podiatry practice looking for a motivated podiatrist. Suffolk Co. LI NY. Board eligible, Board certified PSR-24/36 trained. Fax resume to 631-581-0857.

PRACTICE & STATE LICENSED ASC FOR SALE (MARYLAND, DC SUBURB)

38 yr old general podiatry practice grossing over $550K. Fully equipped with digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, 2 orthotic scanners, computer network and well-equipped surgical suite. Retiring owner will stay on as needed. Email - dpmpracticeforsale@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking associate or new residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MARYLAND

Fredericks premier group practice is located only 45 minutes from both DC and Baltimore. Immediate opening for a minimum PSR 36 Podiatrist for full time position. We have it all: EMR, digital x-ray, ultrasound, ASC, etc. Excellent salary with bonus structure and benefits. Please email resume to docsbnb@aol.com

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Very well established, multiple location group practice has immediate opening for associate doctor. Attractive compensation and benefit package offered. E-mail resume to mrsmcmackin@aol.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED NATIONWIDE

Podiatry referral company has thousands of diabetic patients nationwide in need of immediate service. We are looking for podiatry practices interested in joining our network to receive referrals. Email coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

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