The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 07, 2010 #3,925 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Podiatric Marketing and Practice Management

This week's prize is an autographed copy of the out-of-print classic Podiatric Marketing and Practice Management  by Barry Block, DPM, JD (Value- Priceless)..

This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and Non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame.

NJ Podiatrist Discusses Treatment for Flip-Flop-Induced Pain

There’s no bigger fashion statement for seashore chicks than a cute pair of flip-flops – preferably one to match every outfit - but local podiatrists warn that if over-utilized, the inexpensive, thin soled footwear could be hazardous to your health. Dr. Paul DeMarco, the director of podiatric medicine at Shore Memorial Hospital, said he has seen more than his fair share of flip-flop-induced problems in 15 years of treating podiatric issues. Overuse can strain the plantar fascia, a thick, connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot.

Dr. Paul DeMarco

“It’s a problem every year,” said DeMarco. “People put on a pair of cheap flip-flops and walk the boardwalk at night and wonder why they have pain when they try to walk the next morning. Their arches are hurting because the flip-flops have given them no support.”  Most flip-flop-induced foot problems, he said, can be treated with a combination of ice, anti-inflammatory medication, and a few nights in comfortable shoes. Problems rarely go away as quickly as they occur and depending on the condition, a cortisone shot could be in order. “It takes time for your foot to heal,” he said.

Source: Ann Richardson, Shore News Today [8/2/10]  

Scholl Student Receives APMSA Research Grant

Deena Horn, Scholl '12

Mrs. Deena Horn (Scholl’s P3) has received a research grant from the American Podiatric Medical Students Association. This study titled "Exploring the Impact of High Heel Shoes on Spatio-Temporal Parameters of Gait" is a continuation of her biomechanics project in which she demonstrated that high heel shoes significantly impact gait initiation. This innovative study may shed light on our understating about potential damage that high heels may cause and potential solutions to moderate it.

IN Podiatrist Adds Cycling on Tour de France Course to His Bucket List

This year marked the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France  going through the Pyrenees, the rugged mountain chain separating France and Spain. “I’m used to flat cornfields, not the road going up this much,” said Paul Sommer from Valparaiso, IN. The 48-year-old podiatrist was part of a Trek Travel group. After Sommer reached the top of Tourmalet, he took a photo at the summit and e-mailed it home to his two kids.

Dr. Paul Somer at Summit of Tour De France

 
“This is a bucket-list trip for me,” Sommer said. “I’ve been watching the Tour for 10 years. To actually be here now ... it’s incredible. I was fighting back tears at the top of Tourmalet.”

Source: Lori Rackl, Chicago-Sun Times [8/4/10]

Feds Accuse TN Podiatrists of Defrauding Medicare

American Home Podiatry LTD Inc. and two physicians associated with the business are accused of defrauding Medicare in a civil complaint filed this week by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Memphis. The podiatrists named as defendants are Dr. James D. Luvison and Dr. Robert Ramoska. The complaint, which only gives one side of a legal dispute, alleges that the doctors “developed a scheme to defraud by submitting false claims and/or causing false claims to be submitted” through the company.

The doctors traveled to Memphis and West Tennessee to provide services. In 2004 and 2005, Medicare paid $630,369 to American Home Podiatry, according to the complaint. A review of medical records “indicated the defendants were ‘cloning’ the patients’ diagnoses,” the complaint alleges.

Source: Tom Wilemon, Memphis Daily News [8/6/10]

Medicare Hospital Fund Extended 12 Years: Trustees

The annual checkup of the government's big benefit programs for the elderly shows that the Obama administration's sweeping healthcare overhaul will extend the life of the Medicare hospital insurance fund by 12 years. But officials cautioned Thursday that the dramatic gain, reflected in the annual trustees report for Medicare and Social Security, will depend on achieving significant savings in healthcare in coming years.

The report found that the Medicare Hospital trust fund will not be exhausted until 2029, 12 years longer than estimated last year. That improvement was credited to the cost-savings that will occur with the passage earlier this year of healthcare reform. The trustees said the recession had made the outlook for the Social Security trust fund worse in the near term, however. They said the Social Security program is projected to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes for the first time this year and next year. The Social Security trust fund is expected to be exhausted in 2037, the same date as in last year's report.

Source: Ricardo Alsonso-Zaldivar And Martin Crutsinger, AP [8/5/10]

Guidelines for Great Goal Setting

Follow these suggestions to increase your motivation to meet your goals:

• Make goals specific. Vague goals like “I will keep my workspace clean” or “I will improve practice revenue” almost guarantee lackluster results. Add a number to improve your focus: “I will clear my workspace by 4 p.m. every day” and “I will improve my practice revenue by 5% this quarter.”
• Write them down. The act of writing it makes it seem more real. Reading your goal every day cements your resolve to meet it.
• Don’t wait. Every day, perform or schedule one task, however small, that moves you closer to success. At day’s end, write down what you did and the results of your actions. That will keep your motivation high and provide a method for tracking your progress.

Sourrce:  Adapted from “Goal Setting: How to Make New Year’s Resolutions That Stick,” Quick Tip, The Confidence Center via Communication Briefings.

Query: Bilateral Subtalar Joint Arthroereisis

I know that I need to use the unlisted code, CPT 28899 or S2117, for this procedure. What I need to know is what CPT code do I benchmark this unlisted code to?

Robin Kubik, CPC, PCA, Brighton, MA 
 
Response: When submitting CPT 28899, unlisted foot/toe procedure, the code requires a letter telling the insurance company what was done. Make sure that they do not have a policy in place for non-coverage as experimental and investigational.

Having said this, I use the CPT 28293 as my benchmark code in my letter to explain that I believe the work value to be similar and equal - it also has an implant associated with it. I believe that a hemi-implant insertion is similar to the subtalar implant arthroereisis procedure in skill and time.

As a comparative code, CPT 28293 - correction, hallux valgus (bunion), with or without sesamoidectomy; resection of joint with implant - has a 90-day Medicare global period, Medicare allows for an assistant surgeon. The non-facility RVUs are 26.1 while the facility RVUs are 19.03. I would value the unlisted code, CPT 28899, for the subtalar arthroereisis the same. I would leave it to the payer to dissect the codes and make their determination of allowance. By using an example like CPT 28293, it helps to give the payer guidance on, hopefully, proper payment. Your doctor has to determine his/her benchmark code to value the subtalar arthroereisis with.

David J Freedman, DPM, CPC, Silver Spring, MD

Codingline subscription information can be found here
APMA Members: Click here for your free Codingline Silver subscription

RE: Free EHR Programs (John Moglia, DPM)
From: Elliot Udell, DPM

The way Practice Fusion makes money is that they stream advertisements at the bottom of the page as you are writing. They offer an advertisement-free version for a monthly fee. They claim to have over 40,000 doctors using their program.

The problem with all of the EHR programs is that the market is volatile. There are over 200 companies offering programs, and more are jumping on the bandwagon every day. They are eyeing the money that the federal government is promising to physicians for meeting the standards of "meaningful use." Aside from the programs that are free, companies are charging anywhere from 15,000 dollars to 25,000 dollars for their program, with hefty monthly charges in addition. Because the market is so volatile, many of these companies may be bought out or even go out of business, leaving doctors who spent massive amounts of money holding an empty bag and needing to buy another program for another high fee. An even worse scenario is that if your notes are housed in cyberspace, you may lose them, if the company disappears.
 
My gut feeling is to try out the free programs. If they work for the long run, fine. If not, you didnt' lose anything. I would also make sure to keep copies of all notes on your own computer or on paper.
 
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

RE: PECOS Information for Corporations
From: Joseph Borreggine, DPM

If you have a professional corporation (PC) or any other corporate entity for your podiatric practice, and you have already been approved as an individual in PECOS with your type 1 NPI number, and you are the owner of said corporation, then you must be listed as "the authorizing official" for that corporation on PECOS.

This allows you to see your corporate information listed on the PECOS enrollment site. If you have registered on PECOS and have been approved...

Editor's Note: Dr. Borreggine's extended-length letter can be read here.

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 - 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 FOR SALE – MASSACHUSETTS

Solo Practice Grossing over $700K yearly 4 days a week. Mostly surgical with heavy emphasis on peripheral nerve patients and pediatrics. General bread and butter podiatry as well. No Medicaid very little Medicare. Very modern office. 30 minutes north of Boston. Modern new equipment (digital x-ray, ultrasound, computer network, etc.). Great referral network. Website included. Option to buy the condo 3500sq ft. Have PICA practice evaluation to show you. Call 978-944-7789  for details.

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Looking for podiatrists to join group to work in nursing facilities in: Texas (Ft. Worth, Dallas, Houston) Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Northwest Pennsylvania, Delaware, Upstate New York, Massachusetts (Brockton). Please respond to: doconcall02@aol.com

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

 IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE- ASSOCIATE POSITION -CT (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN) 
 
Great opportunity. Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices. Electronic medical records, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, nerve conduction studies, pinpoint and CO2 lasers, electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapies. Seeking a well-trained, personable, and highly motivated individual. Please send resume and current photo to dr.kassaris@yahoo.com

PODIATRY EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 

Several items taken from working office. Whitehall whirlpool in great condition $750, Podo-spray Sa5 nail grinder $500, Quick seal autoclave bag sealer $70, Dermo-jet/Mada-jet skin anesthesia injector $200, Allpro 2010 Film Processor in great condition $2000, 12 x-ray film cassettes (several different brands) $20 each, X-ray orthoposer $100, x-ray lead body (2)shield $30, 4 Wolf x-ray view boxes $75 each, Star x-ray duplicator $200, star safe light x-ray spotlight $50, several lead shield x-ray covers $25. Actual shipping will be charged or pick in mid-Michigan available, email for more details and pictures. fentonfootcarefd@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – KENTUCKY 
 
Very well established podiatry practice in Louisville, KY seeks a motivated, ethical practitioner trained in all phases of podiatry including routine care, surgery and wound care to join 2 other podiatrists. By joining our practice you will receive a competitive salary with a bonus structure and benefits. Our practice is equipped with DME, PadNet, Gait Scanner and on site retail store. There is a huge potential to grow your practice with our ideally located facility that has strong affiliation with leading area hospitals as well as 2 local residency programs. For immediate consideration, please forward CV to Samuel10530@yahoo.com

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

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 - 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

TN PRACTICE FOR SALE (LAWRENCE COUNTY)

Active, established practice includes office building and property ( appraised at 110k) with all equipment and shelf stock included. Great referral network with an excellent scope of practice. Patients on schedule 1 day/ week grossed over 250k last year. 125k OBO Call 931-446-5724 or email mchad500@gmail.com for more information.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BROOKLYN, NY

Full or part-time position available for a busy well-established podiatry practice in Brooklyn with possible buy in opportunity.  Modern  office with a networked EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, digital x- ray, orthotic scanner, in office surgical suite, and with a great  support staff. Must be Experienced, highly motivated with good clinical skills. Must be participant with Medicare, Advantage Medicare plans (managed Medicare), and managed Medicaid plans in Kings County. please email resume to tkd@gishpuppy.com

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

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,000 DPM's and Students

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