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August 25, 2006 #2,672 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com E-mail us by hitting the reply key. COPYRIGHT 2006- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.
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Infrared Photo Therapy - Medicare Non-Coverage Draft National Policy Comments Due August 25th
There is only one more day to comment
Medicare has issued a NON-COVERAGE Draft Policy for Infrared Photo Therapy Systems like Anodyne. If the draft is implemented as written, clinicians will no longer be able to bill Medicare for treatments and DME companies will no longer be able to bill Medicare for home systems. If you have had experience with infrared therapy, we urge you to comment to Medicare, APMA and your congressional representatives. Public comments may be made by August 25th by visiting http://www.anodynetherapy.com/HCPindex.htm where you will find instructions and links to the Medicare website. Thank you for weighing in on this important issue on behalf of your patients.
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PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS |
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]
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DIA-FOOT IS YOUR NEW BALANCE CONNECTION!!
Dia-Foot now inventories all 4 SADMERC approved New Balance styles. The 811, 816, 901 and 843 styles are all meet the A5500 code for Diabetic footwear. They are available in Men’s and Women’s in several colors and 4 widths.
Dia-Foot offers Diabetic Shoes from leading manufacturers such as Rockport, Hush Puppies, Dunham, Apex, OrthoFeet and Soft Spots. All Dia-Foot shoe packages include 3 pairs of pre-fab or custom inserts and free shipping. We have labs in Wellington, Fl. and Las Vegas, NV. For more information call 877-405-FOOT or visit our web site at http://www.dia-foot.com
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APMA NEWS |
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.
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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."
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www.CheckMedicare.com 1-877-MCHECK0 (1-877-624-3250)
Problem: Not sure if a patient has met his/her Medicare deductible? Solution: Go to www.CheckMedicare.com and in just seconds you will have your answer!
WHAT COSTS ONLY 25 CENTS AND IS PRICELESS? ONE CLICK ON www.CheckMedicare.com! Checking the eligibility of your Medicare patients will save your practice thousands of dollars per year. Ever wonder if your patient has Medicare or an IMPOSTOR? (MCO) With one click on the “Check Eligibility Now” button on www.CheckMedicare.com, you will know the patient’s Medicare status IMMEDIATELY! Register today and check 10 patients for FREE!
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HEALTHCARE POLICY |
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]
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MEETINGS / COURSES
SAVE THE DATE!! 19th Edition Foot and Ankle Institute Seminar and Third Annual TUSPM Alumni Reunion
September 15 - 17, 2006 The Clarion Hotel and Convention Center Cherry Hill, New Jersey
A great opportunity for all doctors to satisfy their CME requirements! For updates, send your e-mail address to: andreaha@temple.edu or watch your mailbox!
Seminar Information: Angel Haldeman, (215) 625-5361 Reunion Information: Sarah Lyons, (215) 625-5248
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For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf
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QUERIES |
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.
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CODINGLINE CORNER
CURRENT TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ON CODINGLINE'S LISTSERV INCLUDE: -
E-Billing Recommendations? Celestone Soluspan Code Medicare - Cast Supply Payment E/M Services - Hospital to Office ASC & GraftJacket Billing
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RESPONSES / COMMENTS |
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
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CLASSIFIED ADS |
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
WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75
PM Classified Ads Reach over 8,000 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 8,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com
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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
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