The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 21, 2008 #3,329 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2008- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

Olympic 50K Racewalk Course Could Cause Injuries: TUSPM Professor

Organizers of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing have been praised for excellent athletic facilities, but they made a big mistake when it came to the course for the longest track event of the games. The 50-kilometer race walk was laid out on a granite plaza — a surface so hard that athletes complained about possible injuries.

Dr. Jim McGuire

The hard surface actually makes injuries possible in a sport relatively free of harm, says Jim McGuire, chair of the department of podiatric medicine and orthopedics at Temple University.
"With elite athletes that are pushing themselves to the edge, they will be prone to developing heel pain, arch strain, mid-foot strain as people come forward, forefoot pain," McGuire says. "That continued stress over 30 miles may result in the development of a stress fracture."

Source: National Public Radio [8/20/08]

Sold Out AAPPM Summer Boot Camp Focused on Young Members

The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM) and the APMA Young Members’ Committee (YMC) partnered for the first time to conduct a very successful practice management meeting focused on the needs of new practitioners and residents August 15 -17 at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. About 40% of the 160 attendees were new practitioners or residents. Commenting on the meeting, Ami Parikh, DPM, a third-year resident, said, “I have never met so many successful people who are so willing to help others by speaking and sharing information."

Drs. Carly Robbins (L) and Amber Shane at AAPPM Boot Camp

Carly Robbins, DPM, and Amber Shane, DPM, along with Beth Noe, DPM, and student doctor Sherunda Smith, presented the APMA Young Members Compensation Survey results at the Summer Residents Workshop that was held on Sunday in conjunction with the Summer Boot Camp meeting. Other practice management topics presented included building communication skills, associate contracts and partnerships, marketing plan development, financial benchmarks, five-star service, new practitioner billing and coding, DME and in-office dispensing and developing clinical protocols.

The AAPPM and YMC are now working co-operatively to make AAPPM's practice management educational programs, meetings and resources more available and affordable to APMA new practitioner members, according to YMC chair, Carly Robbins, DPM.

CT Podiatrist Serves as Medic for Golf Tournament

Dr. Allan Rosenthal, of the Advanced Foot Care Center in Ridgefield, served as a medic during the recent Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Blumberg Group Junior Classic Golf tournament held at Richter Park in Danbury.

Dr. Allan Rosenthal

Dr. Rosenthal, a sports podiatrist, aided both junior golfers and spectators during the tournament. He is a board certified podiatrist and serves on the staff of Danbury and Norwalk Hospitals.

Source: The News-Times (CT) [8/19/08]

Delegation Checklist

Delegation sounds good – but it’s not a good strategy for every situation. Delegate a task only if you can answer “Yes” to most of these questions:

• Does someone else have – or can you give someone else – the necessary information to complete the tesk? In other words, is this a task that anyone can do, or is it critical that you do it yourself?
• Is the task likely to recur, in a similar form, in the future?
• Do you have enough time to delegate the task effectively? You will need time to train, to answer questions, to check progress, and to rework as necessary.
• Would the task offer an opportunity to grow and develop another person’s skills?
• Is it a task that you feel good about delegating? Tasks critical for long-term success generally require your attention.

Source: Adapted from “Successful Delegation: Using the Power of Other People’s Help” by James Manktelov in Mind Tools Newsletter.

Query: Low-Grade Fibrosarcoma

I recently removed a mass from a lesser digit and it turned out to be a low-grade fibrosarcoma. I am looking for advice on further treatment options, if needed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Doug Mason, DPM, Freeport, IL

Query: Intra-Office Communication System

I am interested in a system that allows doctors and primarily the medical assisting staff to communicate silently or quietly. We use an overhead paging system that has grown progressively distracting. I am hesitant to personally use or have have staff use headsets. What systems can others recommend?

Ira J. Gottlieb DPM, Pasadena, MD

RE: Studies Establishing Medical Necessity of Custom—Made Orthotics ( David S. Wolf, DPM)
From: Kevin A. Kirby, DPM

I have previously reviewed both the therapeutic and biomechanical function of foot orthoses in an article published two years ago in Foot and Ankle Quarterly (Kirby KA: Foot orthoses: therapeutic efficacy, theory and research evidence for their biomechanical effect. Foot Ankle Quarterly, 18(2):49-57, 2006). In addition, in a soon-to-be-published book edited by Matthew Werd, DPM, and Leslie Knight titled Athletic Footwear and Orthotics in Sports Medicine, I have written a chapter in the book titled "Evolution of Foot Orthoses in Sports: Biomechanical Effects." Both of these publications go into specific detail as to the therapeutic value of foot orthoses and their biomechanical effects and are both extensively referenced from the peer-reviewed scientific literature. I would be happy to send the current reference list that I have on foot orthoses and the biomechanics of foot orthoses that currently has approximately 120 references from the scientific and medical literature, and is growing every month.

The therapeutic efficacy and the biomechanical function of custom foot orthoses is well documented in the medical literature. However, a few research studies have suggested that some types of custom foot orthoses are equally as effective as "non-custom" foot orthoses in the treatment of certain pathologies. There are significant problems with all of the studies that show that "non-custom" foot orthoses are just as effective as custom foot orthoses. I would suggest that all podiatrists that are "doing battle" with patients, other physicians and, especially, insurance companies over the therapeutic value of foot orthoses, to read these articles so that they can become more knowledgeable as to what modern research literature says about these important medical devices.

Kevin A. Kirby, DPM, Director of Clinical Biomechanics, Precision Intricast Orthosis Laboratory, kevinakirby@comcast.net

RE: Claim Verification Reports (Joe Boylen, DPM)
From: Neal Frankel, DPM

I would go one step further. According to New Jersey statute: N.J.S.A. 17B:26-9.1 "Health insurer to receive, transmit transactions relative to individual policies electronically; standards, requires insurance benefits to be paid within 30 to 40 days of receipt of a properly-filed electronic claim."

If benefits are not released on undisputed claims within this time frame, Paragraph 9 of this law states the following regarding interest payment: An overdue payment shall bear simple interest at the rate of 12% per annum. The interest shall be paid to the health care provider at the time the overdue payment is made.

I would send a demand for interest on every claim that they say they didn't receive, that you have proof of filing. Also send a complaint to the department of insurance with a copy to the insurer with your demand. Not only will you get some extra money for the aggravation, but after a while you will see less claims being "lost" from the insurer.

Neal Frankel, DPM, Chicago, IL, drnrf@aol.com

2010 Practice Management and Coding Cruise to Alaska

After the rousing success of the 2008 Hawaii Coding and Practice Management Workshop, Codingline and PM News are already planning a 2010 Cruise to Alaska from Seattle, WA, following the APMA Scientific Meeting. We again plan to have a nationally renowned faculty for this tax-deductible adventure.

Waikupanaha Lava Plume seen by attendees of 2008 Hawaii Practice Management Workshop (Photo by Dr. Bret Ribotsky)

If you are interested in being on our mailing list and be eligible for early-bird registration discounts, please write to bblock@podiatrym.com

RE: History and Physical Course (Thomas Brooks, DPM)
From: Ellie Wydeven

Scholl College will be offering an H&P course at the College on March 6-7, 2009. Please email me for further information or click on Rosalindfranklin.edu – Scholl College – Special Programs.

Ellie Wydeven, North Chicago, IL, Ellie.Wydeven@RosalindFranklin.edu

MINNESOTA - IMMEDIATE OPENING

Well-established practice with 8 offices in the Minneapolis metro area seeking a highly motivated PSR 24/36 trained podiatrist for a full time or part time associate position. ABPS certified, qualified or eligible preferred. Excellent income potential with benefits including health insurance, malpractice insurance, relocation expense, association dues, license fees, hospital dues, continuing education expense. Possible buy-in or buy-out in future. Heavy emphasis on surgery and sports medicine with minimal RFC. Please e-mail CV to footandankledoc22@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA

Minnesota-2 well established prime office locations for sale in the Minneapolis suburbs. Great income potential with large MD referral base .Can purchase one or both offices together. 175k gross/ each office. Owner will help with transition. Please e-mail minnesotadpm@live.com

ALL PRO 2010 X-RAY PROCESSOR FOR SALE

2 years old, excellent condition, monthly maintenance/cleaning done by NJ X-Ray. Includes processor, leveling base, chemical draining hoses, water hose, two 10x12 x-ray cassettes and 1 box of brand new x-ray film. Instruction manual and extra washers/parts also included. Asking price $2,200 + shipping costs. Please email nefootandankle@optonline.net for all inquiries.

ASSOCIATE POSITION OPPORTUNITY IN MULTI SPECIALITY GROUP PRACTICE - ILLINOIS

Christie Clinic is a large Multi-Specialty Group practice located in Champaign, Illinois. We are seeking a PSR-36 ABPS Board Certified or Board Eligible podiatrist to join a well-established Podiatry department. Must be competent in all phases of podiatric care, Surgical and Conservative. This position will involve rotating through multiple office locations with surgical privileges available at two medical centers and two outpatient surgery centers. Very competitive salary, bonus plan, vacation, and health/mp insurances. Forward CV to wpierce@chrisiteclinic.com

PODIATRIST NEEDED - NEW YORK

Podiatrist (DPM) needed for busy multi-specialty practice located in Great Neck, NY 11021 Must be experienced in all phases of podiatric medicine. Must have all licenses and certifications. Fax 516-829-9674 Nancy

PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY – DENVER, CO

Denver, Colorado. Metro Denver practice opportunity. Details: Email: g_gill@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 - WEST CENTRAL MN

Associateship possibly leading to equity ownership. Compensation package of $100,000. Option for partnership or purchase as soon as associate feels ready. 260 402-7490.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ILLINOIS

Quality Podiatry Group provides quality services to residents at long term care facilities. We are currently offering full-time or part-time positions for motivated ethical podiatrists. Immediate openings available. If interested fax curriculum vitae to 312 225-9366 or e-mail feetwork@aol.com

IMMEDIATE POSITION AVAILABLE TN/GA

We're in search of a motivated, well-trained DPM who is great with patients. Our well-established multi-doctor, multi-office practice is located in Southeast Tennessee/North Georgia. Must have Tennessee or Georgia license. Please reply via email to ikraus@sprynet.com

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for $89 One month of ads (20x) for $340 .

PM Classified Ads Reach over 11,000 DPM's and Students

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 11,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 Ext 110.

• 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.