The Voice of Podiatrists

September 02, 2006 #2,679 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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CT Podiatrist of the Year Attributes Success to Dedicated Staff

Foot traffic to Dr. Michael Fein's family podiatry practice strolls into his office at the rate of about 40 patients a day. Fein is dedicated to improving people's foot health, and the long work days are no problem because, he said, "I definitely love my profession." He especially is pleased to know patients often leave "feeling better than they had when they came."

Dr. Michael Fein

Fein, 49 and marking his practice's 25th year in Bethel, is the state's "Podiatrist of the Year." The Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association's honor is special to Fein, an association board member for 10 years. He was chosen by his peers, previous honorees. "It's for what you've done over many years, and it's once in a lifetime," he said.

Fein grew up in southern New Jersey and earned his medical degree from Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine in 1981. In 2004, Connecticut magazine listed him among the state's best podiatrists. Fein resists taking much of the credit for his success, and points instead to his dedicated office staff of two full- and two part-time employees. "I have the greatest staff. It makes my life a lot easier to help treat patients. Without them, I couldn't do all the things I do," he said.

Source: Donna Christopher, Danbury News-Times, [9/1/06]

NYCPM To Sell Parking Lot to Developers

After two ceremonial ground breaking ceremonies, plans have been scrapped for the 238-room Marriott Courtyard at 125th Street and Park Avenue. Later this year, the New York College of Podiatric Medicine plans to sell the 38,500-square-foot parking lot to a joint venture of Vornado Realty Trust, MacFarlane Partners, and Integrated Holdings. The joint venture plans to construct a mixed-use building with retail and office space.

Source: Michael Stoler, New York Sun, August 31, 2006

OCR Getting More Aggressive About Privacy Complaints

Privacy investigations are taking some twists and turns, privacy officers say. They are evolving both inside health systems and in terms of the way the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) interacts with covered entities (CEs).

This is playing out in a number of ways. For one thing, OCR investigators reportedly have become more intense, probing and sophisticated. Inside CEs, privacy officers are finding that some patients now take routine complaints to OCR even when they have been addressed or resolved through a different process.

OCR also seems to be taking a different tack with respect to conversations during investigations of CEs, says Austin O'Flynn, senior counsel for Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) in San Francisco. "OCR wants to talk to the people involved directly. They don't want filtered responses," he says. "They [believe they] can get a clearer picture by talking to the sources of the report."

The convergence of the final enforcement regulation, which informs CEs in black and white about what will happen to them if they violate the rules, and the implementation of electronic medical records — which heighten the risk of privacy breaches because "more data is flowing in and out of the system" — may push privacy enforcement into higher gear, O'Flynn says.

Source: Report on Patient Privacy

Query: Time For EMR?

Are there any compelling reasonsor why the average solo podiatry practice in one location should go to EMR and/or a paperless office at this time? I have heard many complaints, including software problems, crummy support, and cost to name just a few. Aside from the inevitability of it, should one hold off for awhile until software becomes more refined (perhaps even a national standard) and costs come down or should one implement EMR now?

James M. Petko, DPM, Falls Church, VA, footdoc@erols.com

RE: Portable Digital X-ray Unit (Godfrey Viegas, DPM)
From: Fred Fischer, Bob Salzman

ALLPRO Imaging manufactures the ScanX 12 Portable with In-Line Erase. The unit in its "Soft Case" weighs only 35 lbs.It will read and erase plates up to 10 X 12 inches and works through the USB port on your laptop. .

Fred Fischer, Vice President Sales, ALLPRO Imaging

ff11735@verizon.net

We offer portable solutions for both of our CR (computed radiography) systems. If 40 lbs. will qualify in the “hand carry” category, then we may have what you are seeking. The travel case also allows for ease of transport with a built in rolling system comparable to those on suitcases.

Bob Salzman, Reina Imaging Solutions, BSalzman@reinadigital.com

RE: Time to Drop Out of Insurance Plans (Bob Kornfeld, DPM)
From: Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH , Dennis Shavelson, DPM

I would like to give my almost one year anniversary update from opting out of Medicare. I long ago dropped out of taking insurance and now have been 100% insurance-free since Nov 1, 2005. I originally lost about 30% of my Medicare patients but more than made up the difference financially with the patients that stayed. I would estimate that a year later we still lose 20% of the patients that call, but again I am able to charge the going rate and this far exceeds the Medicare rate. The other benefits are that I no longer have to do the billing associated with the Medicare patients and my staff and I are a lot less stressed out. Being free of insurance is the way to go and helps, not hinders the bottom line. Practice is fun and I get paid well to do what I love. What more could you ask for.

Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA, ifabs@earthlink.net

In addition to the two poles of this dilemma, one to stay the course and spiral downward and the other to weather the storm of totally dropping out of all plans, there is a middle ground. If you have the strength, support, economic position and most importantly, you are providing an office environment and foot care that patients will gravitate to "out of plan", consider implementing a middle ground plan B.

Drop out of your least profitable plan or two. You will see fewer "in plan" patients that will be replaced by a smaller number of better paying patients (more time and more income for your practice). These patients and their referrals will, with time, build your practice away from insurance. Secondly, as plans you remain in cover fewer services, medical procedures and medical devices, develop a plan to educate your "in plan" patients that you offer "Mercedes" treatment options that involve "out-of-pocket" investment on their part. This will market you as a doctor that is delivering care worth paying for.

My personal example here is that I take a sophisticated biomechanical evaluation on my patients, take a foot type-specific, cast-corrected plaster cast of their feet, develop a custom orthotic prescription for their care and utilize an expensive orthotic lab ($115+) that fabricates to my cast and Rx. I dispense orthotics professionally and charge $750.00 this care (not for the orthotic). My patients without orthotic coverage (GHI, Oxford and Medicare for example) can then decide whether or not they wish to invest in "Mercedes" orthotics. I am dispensing more orthotics than ever, with more "uncovered" orthotic referrals and greater patient satisfaction as my income increases.

Dennis Shavelson, DPM, New York City, NY, drsha@lifestylepodiatry.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 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

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 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

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR POSITION AVAILABLE- GREATER ST. LOUIS MISSOURI AREA

Immediate full-time position available in the long term care field. One of the largest providers of long term care servicein the midwest. Corporate support with 10+ years in the business. Competitive compensation and assistant provided. Fax resumes to (636)281-1808.

ASSOCIATE POSITION -ARIZONA

Seeking an experienced podiatrist versed in all aspects of podiatry with current AZ License. The right person will join as a salary associate leading to partial ownership in a group practice. Podiatry practice is well established over 25 years, successful and a large volume in the Phoenix metro area. Position available immediately. Email CV and inquiries to: pprac4sl@cox.net

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

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