August 25, 2006 #2,672 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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More Stylish Comfort Shoes an Easier Sell: FL Podiatrist

"Conditions such as arthritis of the feet, bunions, corns and hammertoes can occur as people age," says Dr. Cary Zinkin, a Deerfield Beach, Fla., podiatrist and APMA spokesman. "At the same time, people are walking, exercising, going to the gym, traveling and in general staying active longer, so wearing the right shoe for your particular needs is extremely important."

Photo

Selling the idea of "comfort shoes" to his patients used to be far more difficult, says Zinkin. "Used to be that comfort shoes looked like space shoes and came in two colors, black or brown. People would say they'd rather have sore feet," Zinkin says. "That's no longer the case. Now that people have more options, they're seeking out the shoes that feel good and look good."

Source: Korky Vann, The Hartfort Courant, [8/23/06]

APMA Launches Diabetes Awareness Program Aimed at Hispanics

Hispanic-Americans are almost twice as likely to suffer from diabetes related lower-limb amputations as non-Hispanic Caucasians. For this reason, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is urging Hispanic Americans, who are considered high risk for type 2 diabetes, to take off their shoes and socks at every doctor's visit.

APMA Spanish diabetes campaign logo

The effort is part of APMA's "Descubra Sus Pies" campaign, which means discover you feet-uncover your feet, and mirrors the association's "Knock Your Socks Off" diabetes campaign in English.

"Studies show amputation rates as a result of diabetes could be significantly reduced if more people would simply have their feet examined more frequently," said APMA President David Schofield, DPM. "Since the number of Hispanic-Americans with diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, APMA's 'Descubra Sus Pies' campaign encourages those at risk to take preventative measures before the disease escalates."

Making Healthcare the Engine That Drives the Economy

The U.S. already spends nearly 16% of its gross domestic product on healthcare, and it is almost impossible to know where all that money goes. Projections are that healthcare will take up even more of the GDP as the population ages and as more expensive drugs and medical devices are developed. But a new economic approach to healthcare expenditures views costs in a very different light. Economists agree that huge increases are coming. But some say that may be just fine. "We have to spend our money on something," says Robert Hall, a Stanford University economist.

By 2030, predicts Robert W. Fogel, a Nobel laureate at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, about 25 percent of the G.D.P. will be spent on health care, making it “the driving force in the economy,” just as railroads drove the economy at the start of the 20th century.

Unless the current system is changed, most healthcare costs will continue to be paid by insurance, especially Medicare, which means that the taxpayers will foot the bill. But Dr. Fogel says he is not alarmed. Americans can afford it, he says, because the nation is so rich. “It takes so little of household income to satisfy expenditures on food, clothing and shelter,” he explains. “At the end of the 19th century, food, clothing and shelter accounted for 80 percent of the family budget. Today it’s about a third.”

Source: Gina Kolata, New York Times, [8/23/06]

Query: Retention of EOB’s

We’re having a debate in our office. It is confounded by the fact that we are receiving different answers from different authorities. Is there a legal requirement to retain E.O.B.s? If so, how long is one required to keep them? Does this vary from state to state? Does it vary from profession to profession? What official body governs the requirement?

Jake Goldstein, DPM, Kansas City, MO

dr.jbg@centerforfootcare.com

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Part of the confusion stems from the fact that Medicare is a federal program which requires physicians to retain records for five (5) years and private insurance companies are governed by state law, which varies. The generally accepted rule by most practice management experts is to retain all records for seven (7) years.

EOB’s should be stored separately from the medical portion of the chart. In the past, many experts did not consider them part of the actual patient record. With the advent of HIPAA, however, most experts believe that they contain enough personal health information to warrant the same treatment as the actual patient chart.

RE: The Coding Institute Under Investigation
From: Jon Purdy, DPM

"The Coding Institute" is circulating the direct mail promotional materials. I received a call from the Florida State Attorney General's office yesterday informing me that the level of complaints received has prompted the office to pursue the company.

In our particular case, we never received the marketed materials ordered five months ago and paid by credit card. Even though there is a "100% money back guarantee with no questions asked" we were made to fill out a questionnaire as to why we wanted our money back. Here is the humor in this scam. Even though we never received the materials, it was determined that we do not fit the "criteria" for a refund.

It gets funnier. I asked a person in their accounting department to explain how not receiving the materials does not fit the "criteria" for a refund. She said that was just the accounting department's decision. I asked to speak with the AD supervisor and she informed me that that was who I was speaking with. I said "Give me my money back immediately." She then said, "I'm sorry the accounting department makes those determinations.

Jon Purdy, DPM, New Iberia, LA, podiatrist@mindspring.com

Editor’s comment: PM News does not supply legal advice. There are a number of excellent legitimate sources of coding material available; one wonders why anyone would respond to an unknown source. Among the list of reputable providers of coding material are: APMA, Codingline, Ken Malkin, DPM, and Martin Taubman, DPM.

RE: United Healthcare No Longer Covers ESWT for Any Condition - as "Not Proven" (Ken Malkin DPM)
From: Jonathan Haber, DPM

With regard to Dr. Malkin's comments on United Healthcare not covering ESWT treatment, I recently had a patient approved for ESWT by United Healthcare after six months of conservative care failed. The company got the necessary approvals and I was paid $258. The charge for the technical component was $800 by the company. The procedure failed to alleviate the patient's pain. My opinion is that most patients will not pay for procedures not covered if you can't give them a high probability of success.

Jonathan Haber, DPM, Caldwell, NJ, JHaber4932@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – TUCSON, AZ

Associate needed for practice in Tucson and Southern Arizona, seeking a hardworking, ethical, and well trained individual. MUST be willing to do all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery, competitive salary is negotiable. E-mail CV to drd@premiersurgeons.com

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

House Call practice for sale which includes approx. 400 patients and continued referrals. Perfect for solo practitioner. Extremely easy and profitable practice to run. Yearly gross of over $200K. Current DPM is retiring. Financials will also be provided. Please contact ccipinc@ccipinc.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Seeking associate for practice in Ocean County area. Seeking a hardworking, ethical, energetic and well trained (PSR 24/36) individual. MUST be willing to do all aspects of podiatry! Competitive salary and benefits package. E-mail CV to NJFEET@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY- CHICAGO / NORTHWEST INDIANA

Chicago-Home Physicians specializes in house calls to the elderly homebound. Full and part-time positions available in Chicago/Northwest IN. Competitive Compensation, including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800. Fax-773-486-3548. E-mail sschneider@homephysicians.com www.homephysicians.com SEEKING

SEEKING ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW YORK

Hardworking, ethical and well trained PSR-24 trained podiatrist seeking a part-time associate position in Westchester county or surrounding areas. Please contact (206) 919-2832 or bbrick2@yahoo.com

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