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The Voice of Podiatrists
August 28, 2006 #2,674 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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PM SURVEY WEEKLY CONTEST
Congratulations to Alan K. Mauser, DPM of Louisville, KY, winner of this week’s survey contest, who will receive an autographed copy of rare out-of-print copy of the textbook "Podiatric Marketing and Practice Management" Edited by Barry Block, DPM, JD.
Next week's prize is PictZar Software (Value $795.00). Pictzar is easy to use, state-of-the-art software that is being utilized by wound care specialists nationally to accurately measure wounds on digital photographs and monitor progress. Measurements (area, width, length, and/or circumference) are performed using any computer and include area (4 color), depth field, and est. volume. PictZar provides ideal documentation for Medicare and insurance reimbursement. Pictzar also exports data to generate quick reports (including pictures and %area change) for referring physicians. Visit www.PictZar.com for further information.
To enter, simple complete our practice survey at www.podiatrym.com and send your name, address, and question #45 from the survey to bblock@podiatrym.com. All entries are eligible for our grand prize of a one-week Windjammer Caribbean Cruise. Don’t forget to vote for next year’s inductee into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame. This year, we’ve opened a new category for non-podiatrists.
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AT THE COLLEGES |
NYCPM Appoints Four New Faculty Members
The New York College of Podiatric Medicine has appointed Anthony Vincent D’Antoni, D.C., M.S.; David Gitlin, D.P.M.; Stephen Holt, M.D.; and Mark Allen Young, M.D., M.B.A., as members of the faculty.
Dr. Anthony Vincent D’Antoni was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, and will teach the Histology Laboratory and Research Methodology courses. He will also be developing a course in Evidence-Based Medicine. He is currently working toward both an M.P.H. degree and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences.
Dr. David Gitlin was appointed as an Instructor in NYCPM’s Surgery Department. He is a 2002 graduate of the College, and served his residencies at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital’s Foot and Ankle Institute and at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital’s Foot and Ankle Centers of Ohio, in St. Marys, OH, where he was Chief Surgical Resident from 2004-5. He then completed a Trauma and Limb Reconstruction Fellowship at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, in Brooklyn, NY.
Dr. Stephen Holt was appointed Adjunct Professor of Primary Podiatric Medicine in NYCPM’s Department of Primary Podiatric Medical Sciences. He has held professorial appointments at several leading medical schools in the U.S. and the U.K. He is a best-selling author in the areas of health, wellness and natural medicine, and the founder of four healthcare corporations: Natures Benefit, Inc.; Holt M.D. Consulting, Inc.; Natural Clinician L.L.C., and Wellness Publishing, Inc. Dr. Mark Allen Young was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Orthopedics in NYCPM’s Department of Orthopedics/Pediatrics. He is Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Maryland Rehabilitation Center/Workforce and Technology Center of the State of Maryland Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitation and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland. Dr. Young received his M.D. degree from Finch University of Health Sciences/ the Chicago Medical School and earned an M.B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Business and Professional
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UNITED HEALTHCARE POLICY RE: ESWT
WHAT YOU CAN DO
As of October 2006, United HealthCare (UHC) will no longer cover ESWT. Many of you use ESWT and your patients have benefited by ESWT since its FDA approval 4 years ago. To find out more about fighting UHC’s policy decision click on www.unitedshockwave.com/UHC to see how you can help change this misguided policy decision.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
For information about ESWT and/or United Shockwave Therapies, visit our website at www.unitedshockwave.com or call 847.544.5867.
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MEDICARE NEWS |
Medicare to Delay Payments for Last Nine Days of Fiscal Year
Physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers will not receive Medicare reimbursements from Sept. 22 through Sept. 30, the last nine days of the current fiscal year, to move some program expenditures into the next fiscal year, the AP/Washington Times reports.
The Medicare "holiday," which Congress ordered, will allow the federal government to move $5.2 billion in Medicare expenditures to the next fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. Providers affected by the delayed Medicare reimbursements will receive payments in full after Oct. 1, but the federal government will not pay interest.
Source: American Health Line [8/25/06]
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SUREFIT NOW OFFERS PREFABRICATED HEAT MOLDABLE INSERTS
Now you can offer your prefabricated insert patients the stylish shoes and high quality products that have made SureFit the leading company in the industry. Choose from our new 2006 high style comfort shoe selection including our exclusive UltraLite Shoes. Lightweight materials and special construction combine to create shoes that are so light they almost feel weightless.
All of SureFit's diabetic shoes and inserts have been approved by Medicare. SureFit's industry wide reputation for high quality and Medicare compliance keeps your practice secure. Exceptional Fit, Quality and Comfort : Priced for Enhanced Profitability Contact us for a copy of our new 2006 high style catalogue. Please visit http://www.surefitlab.com/ for more, or call 1-800-298-6050.
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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT ISSUES |
Overtime Pay For Employees
Physicians are used to working a lot of extra hours without automatic overtime pay. However, labor attorneys and consultants say some physicians forget that if their office staff is working those extra hours, too, many of them should be getting extra pay.
Regarding who gets paid, the quick answer for most small practices is: everybody but the doctors. Professionals, defined as someone who is in a job that requires a very specific course of study, are exempt from overtime. Anyone who is in a supervisory position can be exempt from overtime. Anybody making more than $100,000 a year isn't required to be paid overtime. But anybody making less than $23,000 a year (full-time) is. Experts say these rules apply to every employee, including the niece you might have hired for the summer.
Generally, any hours worked that exceed 40 hours per week require overtime pay, at 1½ times the employees' regular rate. In some states, the clock on overtime starts after eight hours in a day, no matter the hours worked per week. For the so-called nonexempt employees, lunch hours (or half-hours) don't count as part of the payday. So if they're eating lunch, they're not on the clock. But if they're eating lunch and working at the same time, they are.
Attorneys and consultants recommend physicians trying to figure out the nuances of overtime in their own offices check out the Dept. of Labor's Fair Pay website (www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/fairpay/main.htm), which has many resources on overtime law. And, of course, attorneys and consultants recommend physicians talk to a labor lawyer or expert to make sure they are 100% in compliance.
Source: Bob Cook, AM News [8/28/06]
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MEETINGS / COURSES
SAVE THE DATE!! SCHOLL COLLEGE PRE-CERTIFICATION PEDORTHIC COURSE FOR PODIATRISTS September 14-18, 2006
The William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science This program will allow podiatrists, upon completion and passing of course exams, to sit for the Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP) exam on November 4, 2006, plus be awarded 50 CE contact hours. The program will primarily cover BCP rules and regulations, pedorthic practice management, orthotic manufacturing, and hands-on shoe modifications. Seminar Information: Ellie Wydeven (847-578-8410), www.rosalindfranklin.edu/scpm/ce
For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf
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QUERIES |
Query: Wide Steel–Toed Shoes
Does anyone know of a source for custom-molded, steel-toed shoes for very wide feet?
Miki Hori, DPM, Harrisonburg, VA, mikihori@mindspring.com
Query: APMA Hispanic Campaign
With regards to the Hispanic diabetes campaign I am curious to know if the APMA has consulted with Hispanic podiatrist particularly those in urban settings dealing primarily with this population or if they just regurgitated facts via translation from the English campaign. Respectfully
Luis Leal, DPM, Edgewater, NJ, drleal@optonline.net
Response: The APMA Public Education and Information Committee, which I chair has used the input from Hispanic podiatrists along with input from a PR company with a focus on the Hispanic community. Together we have come up with our campaign and our materials. Joseph M. Caporusso, DPM, Chairman PE&I Committee, Trustee, APMA
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PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn 15 CPME-Approved CME credits Online for only $129 http://www.podiatrym.com/cme.cfm Choose any or all of over 20 CME articles posted You Can Now Take Tests and Print Your CME Certificates Online
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CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: Abrasion Arthroplasty Ankle
I have scheduled a patient to have the following procedures, and I am unable to locate some of the procedure codes. How would the following be coded:
- diagnostic arthroscopy right ankle - synovectomy right ankle - chrondoplasty right ankle - abrasion arthroplasty right ankle?
The diagnosis is synovitis, right ankle.
William Namen, II, DPM, Jacksonville, FL
Response: CPT 29898 - extensive debridement of the ankle - would be the best single code.
When you do a procedure, the diagnostic arthroscopy is always included. The synovectomy and chondroplasty would be part of the abrasion arthroplasty (extensive debridement).
Walter Pedowitz, MD, Linden, NJ
Codingline subscription information can be found at http://www.codingline.com/subscribe.htm
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HEALTHCARE ATTORNEY
Joseph J. LaBarbera, Esq., law practice dedicated to healthcare law, offers 27 years experience representing healthcare practitioners and represents podiatrists in all areas of practice including: group practice, employment, buy sell, merger, Medicare opt-out, dissolution, and office lease/acquisition agreements; before the NYS Educ. Dept., 3rd party payors (private/government), malpractice carriers, in license, fraud and staff privileges actions and audits; and in compliance, e.g., E&M coding, antikickback/restricted referral laws and HIPAA. e-mail to jlb@NYhealthlawyers.com or contact the firm by phone at 212-697-3430. For more information, visit our website http://www.NYhealthlawyers.com
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RESPONSES / COMMENTS |
RE: Shoe for Cavus Foot Type (Noah Blumofe, DPM) From: Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped
Eneslow carries the following brands of good dress shoes for women with an anterior cavus foot type. ARA, Langenfeld, Germany, www.ara-shoes.de; Durea, Drunen, Netherlands, www.durea.nl; Kumfs, Auckland, New Zealand, www.kumfs.com; Thierry Rabotin, Parabiago (Milano) ITALY, www.thierryrabotin.com.
All of these vendors have sales reps in the USA and are in better-grade and pedorthic retailers.
Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped., NY, NY, rss@eneslow.com
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CLASSIFIED ADS |
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
PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTH FLORIDA
Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice for sale. This one has everything. Surgery, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Trauma, ER, General Podiatry. Participates in all local and national managed care plans. $850,000 but will discount depending on amount up front. Mature, serious inquires with business experience preferred. Email response to podfootdocs@aol.com
ASSOCIATE WANTED – SOUTH FLORIDA
Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice needs part-time podiatrists to assist in surgical cases and patient volume. Email response to podfootdocs@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
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
WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75
PM Classified Ads Reach over 8,500 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
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 |
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RE: (Topic)
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- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
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