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The Voice of Podiatrists
August 29, 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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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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PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS |
Not Exactly the Maggots Podiatrists Use: Armstrong
Two months ago, Charlena Sims was recuperating from toe amputation surgery in Manor Care nursing home in Oak Lawn, IL. When a staff member came in to change the dressing on her right foot, she discovered live maggots feasting on the wound, according to a lawsuit filed last week in Cook County Circuit Court.
"It's often a reflection on the cleanliness of the facility, of the environment," said Dr. David Armstrong, professor of surgery and assistant dean at the Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine's college of podiatry in North Chicago. "Generally, the only time we find maggots on a wound [is when] someone's in pretty bad straits," he said. "They may have been out on the streets for a while, or been something of a shut-in, and haven't been able to take care of themselves."
It is unclear when or how the fly larvae got into Sims' wound, but Armstrong said they had probably been there for several days, given that they were big enough - and numerous enough - to be noticed. "It's not exactly appetizing," Armstrong continued, "and our unit has seen the worst of the worst. But we look at them as medical devices rather than the crawly little critters you see."
Source: Valerie Dowdle, Chicago Defender, [8/21/06]
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Gris-PEGĀ® (griseofulvin ultramicrosize) Tablets
There's a Different Way to Treat Athlete's Foot.Pedinol Pharmacal Inc. would like to thank the podiatry profession for making Gris-PEG® the #1 prescribed oral antifungal indicated for the treatment of tinea pedis, according to Podiatry Management. Gris-PEG is clinically proven to be more effective than a leading topical antifungal. Griseofulvin is the only oral antifungal approved by the FDA for the treatment of tinea pedis in the US. Gris-PEG is approved by the FDA for the treatment of tinea pedis in adults and children over 2 years old Gris-PEG® is available in strengths of 125mg and 250mg. For full prescribing information on Gris-PEG®, go to http://www.gris-peg.com
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MEDICAID NEWS |
Paperwork, Low Pay Driving Physicians From Medicaid
Fewer physicians are accepting Medicaid patients, and those who do are becoming increasingly concentrated, according to a new national study. Low and slow reimbursement and the heavy paperwork burden are largely to blame.
The study, conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change, found that in 2004-05, almost 15% of physicians reported receiving no Medicaid revenue, up from 13% in 1996-97. About 21% reported accepting no new Medicaid patients in 2004-05 -- a rate six times higher than for Medicare patients and five times that for privately insured patients.
Source: Beth Wilson, AMNews, 9/4/06
Practice Size Counts
Care for Medicaid patients is becoming more concentrated among large group and institutional practices. The percentage of physicians accepting no new Medicaid patients:
Type of practice
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1996-97
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2004-05
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Solo/two physicians
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29.0%
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35.3%
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Small group
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16.2%
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24.0%
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Medium group
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10.0%
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12.0%
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Large group
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15.0%
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13.3%
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Group/staff HMO
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15.1%
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13.5%
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Institutional
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8.3%
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6.6%
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Other
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19.0%
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18.9%
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Source: Center for Studying Health System Change, August, 2006
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MEETINGS / COURSES
Don't' Miss the 9th Annual International Conference on Foot Biomechanics and Orthotic TherapyThis conference provides lectures and workshops featuring internationally renowned clinicians and researchers. The Prescription Foot Orthotic Laboratory Association (PFOLA) uses the proceeds from this meeting to provide educational grants for clinical outcomes studies using custom prescription foot orthoses. Mark your calendar! December 1–3, 2006 Chicago, IL For details, go to www.pfola.org or call Myrna at 415-928-6141
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QUERIES |
Query: Onycholysis in a 2 Year Old
I recently saw a 2 year old with onycholysis of several nails, recurring since she was 7 months old. History non-remarkable, exam revealed no inflammatory or nail bed changes, family history non-remarkable.
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Onycholysis in a 2 Year Old |
Any diagnoses/suggestions will be appreciated.
Jay Kerner, DPM, Baldwin, NY, aikiman44@aol.com
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CODINGLINE CORNER
CURRENT TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ON CODINGLINE'S LISTSERV INCLUDE: -
o 2007 Medicare Proposed Rules o Abrasion Arthroplasty Ankle o Coding Ingrown Nail Procedures o Medicare - Cast Supply Payment o Celestone Soluspan Code
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RESPONSES / COMMENTS |
RE: Wide Steel–Toed Shoes (Miki Hori, DPM) From: Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped
Most molded shoe manufacturers, including Eneslow offer custom-molded, steel-toed shoes for very wide feet. Contact your current molded shoe vendor or look on the Pedorthic Footwear Association website www.pedorthics.org under Pedorthic Marketplace and you will find all vendor members. There you can find the list of molded shoe manufacturers.
Robert S. Schwartz, C. Ped., New York, N. Y. rss@eneslow.com
RE: Medicare Holiday From: Paul Busman, DPM
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.
Hey, what a great idea! Hold back on your obligations at someone else's expense just for your own convenience! Maybe I can hold back on my rent until it's more convenient for me to pay it. Or my electrical bill. Or my malpractice insurance...
Paul Busman, DPM, Troy, NY, BREWERPAUL@aol.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
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