|
|
|
|
.gif)
|
PMNews
Browse PMNews Issues
Previous Issue | Next Issue
| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 17,032 Subscribers Daily
August 15, 2015 #5,446  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2015- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
|
|
| ANNUAL SURVEY NOW ONLINE - WIN VALUABLE PRIZES |
Congratulations to Dr. Estelle Albright, winner of last week's prize, a $100 Macys gift card. We encourage you to participate in this year's important annual survey. Completing this anonymous survey provides us with valuable data, which we will publish in the March 2016 issue of Podiatry Management. It also makes you eligible to win thousands of dollars of valuable prizes. Enter by completing this confidential survey and providing your e-mail address in the comments section on the last page of the survey. The earlier you enter, the more chances you have to win.
 |
|
SteriShoe+ |
This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and Non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame.
|
|
| PODIATRIC PRODUCTS IN THE NEWS | |
OH Podiatrist Discusses Athlete's Foot
According to the Mayo Clinic, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually starts between the toes and strikes people who typically wear tight-fitting shoes, such as soccer cleats. The first sign of a problem can come in the form of a foul odor coming from your feet. “Stinkiness comes from moisture; moisture then leads to athlete’s foot,” said Joy Rowland, DPM, a podiatrist at Cleveland Clinic.
 |
|
Dr. Joy Rowland |
If you have athlete’s foot, there are over-the-counter treatments that you can consider, including anti-fungal sprays, powders and creams. If left untreated, the condition can worsen, Dr. Rowland said. “That can cause a secondary bacterial infection that can spread up the foot and that can be a very aggressive and bad thing,” she said.
Source: Laura Ingle, Fox News [8/13/15]
|
|
| HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
TN Podiatrist to Join Henry County Medical Center
Podiatrist Lindsay Foust, DPM will be joining the staff of Henry County Medical Center in December. She will practice at the Henry County Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Center. Dr. Foust is a native of Paris, TN and received her undergraduate degree at Murray State University. She received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine.
 |
|
Dr. Lindsay Foust |
She completed her residencies at Alliance Community Hospital in Alliance, OH, and Summa Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. She previously worked at Kentucky/Indiana Foot and Ankle Specialists, where she was a foot and ankle surgeon and clinician. She has a passion for wound care and plans to offer this in her practice.
Source: The Paris Post-Intelligencer [8/13/15]
|
|
| OUTSIDE INTERESTS | |
MN Podiatrist Launches Luxury Shoe Line
As a podiatric surgeon, Dr. Marion Parke often fields questions from women about ways to take better care of their feet in heels. As a result, she has spent a lot of time developing a way to combine “thoughtful structure” and luxury style in a footwear line. “I have a passion for luxurious fashion. [So my line is] a marriage of those two things: orthotic design and high fashion,” said Parke, whose namesake brand is launching for spring ’16. “It’s something that is lacking and that women are looking for.”
 |
|
Dr. Marion Parke |
Parke set off for Italy to produce her collection at the same factory as industry giants like Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, and Isabel Marant. There, she was able to craft features such as arch supports, a medical-grade foam, and contoured insoles that add a high level of comfort (though Parke is not a fan of using the “c” word). Parke knows a thing or two about colliding worlds. “My aesthetic is influenced by a dual life of being a doctor and a music fan,” she said. “[The styles in my line] have a polished, sophisticated side, with a little bit of edgy rocker.”
Source: Kristen Henning, FN [8/10/15]
|
|
| QUERIES (EMR) | |
Query: MU Website Down
I am wondering if you are getting any posts or have heard anything from Dr. Brody in the recent past about the MU website not being available to attest to 2015 MU. We have tried repeatedly for the past 4-5 wks to attest to stage II MU but the government website doesn’t seem to be open for business.
Mark Tuccio, DPM, Jamestown, NY
Response: CMS published a NPRN (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) which proposes some sweeping changes to Meaningful use for THIS YEAR. Due to these pending changes, the web site for attestation is not currently available. Once the changes are finalized, the web site will be updated and you will be able to attest for Meaningful Use for 2015. They do not expect the attestation site to be available prior to the end of 2015.
Michael Brody, DPM, Commack, NY
|
|
| CODINGLINE CORNER | |
Query: Heel Stabilizers & Medicare
I want to bill L3170-RT (and/or LT) - foot, plastic, silicone or equal, heel stabilizer, pre-fabricated, off-the-shelf, each. If I am a Medicare Part B DME provider and I am dispensing silicone heel stabilizer(s)...are they payable even if they are not part of the shoe?
Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL
Response: These procedures are listed under the orthopedic footwear policy. As such they are not covered services when removable and not an integral part of the shoe.
Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY
Codingline subscription information can be found here
APMA Members: Click here for your free Codingline Silver subscription.
|
|
| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (DME) | |
RE: ICD-10 and DME
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM
Here are some interesting facts gathered yesterday during a DME Medicare A committee meeting:
1) Suppliers are being told they are supposed to obtain the diagnosis codes from the prescribing physician (that's us) and not to interpret the narrative in order to determine a code. And you think we have a problem?
2) Suppliers are NOT being given the grace period which CMS has offered physicians regarding "same family" of codes.
3) This "same family" of codes requires more clarification from CMS, but "same family" only pertains to physician claims (on audit, not for claims payment), but not at all for any supplier claims. It is extremely important to be sure that the ICD-10 code set is complete and accurate on supply claims. Use of an incomplete code or a HCPCS code with site modifier and an ICD-10 which points to a different site will not pass and will be denied.
4) It is important to get familiar with the ICD-10 codes in the "future" DME policies. The most important ICD-10 codes from the DME perspective to familiarize oneself with are those in the Therapeutic Shoe Program for Patients with Diabetes. The ICD-10 codes here are for the systemic diagnosis and not for the local foot deformity codes. While use of the latter is patient-specific and may or may not be required, the ICD-10 codes for a diabetes-related manifestation are always required.
5) The DME MACs will all be conducting ICD-10 webinars. Chances are you won't need to attend them if you have done your homework from the Part B physician medical/surgical side, but you never know!
Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY
|
|
| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1 | |
RE: UHC Medical Record Request
From: Joseph Borreggine, DPM
Recently, United Healthcare (UHC), acting as a third-party administrator for Medicare Part B, a Medicare Advantage Plan, sent a request to my office requesting copies of medical records for 23 patients from Jan 1, 2014 to the present time. This request was faxed to us today from the UHC independent contractor ECS, Inc. I assumed that this was a RAC audit. It is not.
I contacted my malpractice carrier to see if I needed to open up an administrative claim. They stated that I did not, since ECS, Inc. is contracted to datamine the information requested for a government project for UHC. I was told by the the administrative claim representative from the malpractice carrier that their national legal counsel stated that I and all others who receive said requests must comply.
However, their legal counsel also stated and confirmed that we can charge 10 cents a page for all copies made and $20/hr for the time involved in gathering these records. Payment could not be guaranteed, but should be charged.
Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL
|
|
| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 2 | |
RE: Why are We Being Underpaid for Our Services?
From: Burton J. Katzen, DPM
In the latest Becker’s Orthopedic Review surveying the average income of orthopedic surgeons, the median income for a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon is $505,606 per year. The average signing bonus for a foot and ankle surgeon entering an orthopedic practice was $50,000, second only to a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at $60,000. The average signing bonus of a general orthopedic surgeon is $35,000.
Though the recent PM survey has not come out yet, I would have to assume that podiatry, the profession that is best suited and best trained to treat foot and ankle problems, falls far short of these figures. So the question is why? Are we still not accepted by the public as “the foot and ankle specialists”? Are insurance companies undervaluing our services? Are we undervaluing our own services when negotiating with insurance companies or group practices? Have we become slaves to the insurance companies, accepting whatever they feel like they want to dole out to us and be grateful for it?
Certainly, the residents coming out of the majority of our programs have equal if not superior experience and training in foot surgery (and especially limb salvage) compared to the foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons. I long for the good old days when foot surgery was beneath orthopedic surgeons, and their cases we used to get in our offices to correct looked like they were done with a Black and Decker drill.
Burton J. Katzen, DPM, Temple Hills, MD
|
|
| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Keith L. Gurnick, DPM, Jeffrey Kass, DPM
Deductible and Co-pay Rates Rise 40%
Keith L. Gurnick, DPM, Los Angeles, CA
This number is extremely misleading, but likely a number the Obama administration loves to publicize. I don't know about anyone else, but giving insurance to a low income family with a 10,000 dollar deductible is equivalent to having no insurance.
Obama gets to count them as insured but when they come to my office requesting bunion surgery and have to pay the first 10 grand out-of-pocket. The patient runs out of the office before you get to say "it was nice meeting you." These statistics are so skewed that it's beyond ridiculous.
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY
|
|
| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
 |
|
Where's "Weirdo"? |
Sourxce: Nicholas Kirkwood and Keith Haring via Virtual Shoe Museum
|
MEETING NOTICES
|
|
|
|
|
| CLASSIFIED ADS - PART 1 - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW JERSEY
We are looking for a part or full-time Associate with a passion for learning, growing, and treating patients from start to finish. The ideal candidate should have both surgical and non-surgical experience, be willing to work hard, and always put patients first. Benefits include a full compensation package with salary, insurance, a private office, and more. If you start every day with a passion to help others and a positive attitude, this job’s for you! To find out more information email Dr. Amannda Richline at dramanndaglynn@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE WANTED – NAPLES, FLORIDA
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 POSITION - CENTRAL FLORIDA
Associate wanted for well-established practice in central Florida. Experienced support staff, great benefits including malpractice coverage . Excellent opportunity for a promising future. To apply please go to www.yourcareerinpodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – EL PASO, TEXAS
Busy practice seeking a full-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate to help with second office. Competitive salary offered. Please email CV to: buffdlr1@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST TENNESSEE
31 year old practice with 4 offices in greater Knoxville area seeking ethical, personable, hard working, team player. $160,000 base salary plus bonus incentives and benefits. post-residency experience a plus. Please email letter of interest and CV to ddavidphawk@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY
You're not looking for a typical podiatry practice. We're not looking for the typical podiatrist. We need another doctor who understands the importance of creating an amazing patient experience as much as providing great medical care. You will be working with doctors who are committed to your success. If you are an entrepreneurial-minded doctor who wants to grow and eventually own part of an already successful practice, go to: www.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Very busy practice seeking a full-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate. Competitive salary offered. Please email CV to: podiatrists@icloud.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – CHICAGO
Chicago. Office and housecalls; projected income $140-180K. Base salary and bonus structure are flexible. Malpractice and mileage allowance are paid. Partnership track is available . Contact chipod12@yahoo.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@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 FREE.
|
| CLASSIFIED ADS PART 2 - PRACTICE FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – PINPOINTE LASER
Cynosure Pinpointe FDA-approved laser for treatment of onychomycosis.Laser is in like-new condition. Price includes laser, original fiber optic cable, 3 laser goggles, laser temperature gauge, manuals, marketing materials AND shipping to your location. $27,500 and NEGOTIABLE. Laser is in Queens, New York and also available for pickup. ontact docrahulpatel@gmail.com or call 917-620-3168.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Terrific Opportunity. Owner to sell and transition from practice near Tucson, AZ.. Practice open full-time, EHR fully functional & attested for MU Stage 1. One mile from newly constructed hospital. Opportunity to grow surgical volume and patient base. Priced to sell. Contact: Mike Crosby at MCrosby518@gmail.com.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - NEWTOWN, CT – PRICED TO SELL
Thriving turn-key, sole practitioner podiatry practice operating within a multi-specialty medical environment, including internal medicine, and located in northern Fairfield County. Looking for a timely turnaround with room to negotiate. Practice currently grossing 290K on a three day a week schedule, with very little overhead, and increased patient base from several assisted living on-site visits. All surgery and DME is currently referred out. Very attractive and unique opportunity. Inquiries contact bbrick2@yahoo.com
DESIRABLE LOCATIONS TO SUBLET AND SHARE - NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
Midtown, Gramercy, Financial District and Plainview (North shore of Long Island) turn-key. Extremity MRI, Extremity CT scanner, diagnostic ultrasound, digital xray in selected offices. Fair Lawn ASC,LLC a dedicated certified ambulatory surgical center for foot and ankle surgery accepting applications for staff privileges 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.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@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
|
| 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.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
| | Guidelines |
- To Post a message, send it to: bblock@podiatrym.com
- Notes should be original and may not be submitted to
other publications or listservs without our express written
permission.
- Notes must be in the following form:
RE: (Topic)
From: (your name, DPM)
Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use
Spellchecker
Your name, DPM City/State
- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
| |
|
Browse PMNews Issues
Previous Issue | Next Issue
|
| |
|
|
|
