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The Voice of Podiatrists
September 02, 2006 #2,679 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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New Custom Diabetic Inserts For Only $22 A Pair
Orthofeet is glad to announce its new custom diabetic inserts, which received SADMARC Code verification A5513. These custom inserts are fabricated by the most advanced computerized system, with arch filler and forefoot accommodations, for superior support and protection.
- Now you can offer your patients state of the art prefab and custom inserts along with the best fitting diabetic shoes, and save: Stretchable Shoes - $42.00 a pair; Leather Shoes - $48.00 to $52.00 a pair; Prefab Inserts - $8.95 a pair; Custom Inserts - $22.00 a pair;
100% Medicare Compliant http://www.orthofeet.com/ ----------------- 800-524-2845
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PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS |
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."
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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]
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FREE YOUR SOLE
NALFON(tm) 200 (fenoprofen calcium 200mg capsules). Pedinol Pharmacal Inc. introduces Nalfon(tm) 200: * Rapid pain relief * Non-selective NSAID with over 25 years of clinical experience in the U.S. * Possesses both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties * Generally well tolerated * Rx only Nalfon(tm) 200 is available in 200mg capsules. For full prescribing information on Nalfon(tm) 200 go to http://www.nalfon200.comNalfon(tm) 200. Foot pain doesn't wait. Why should relief?
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AT THE COLLEGES |
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
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Your Patients Will be Amazed at SureFits UltraLITE Shoe Collection
Patients are always complaining that their diabetic shoes are too heavy. SureFit’s UltraLITES are amazing patients across the country. The UltraLite collection provides super light weight without sacrificing excellent support and control. Lightweight materials and special construction combine to create diabetic shoes that are so light they feel almost weightless.
Exceptional Fit, Quality and Comfort Priced for Enhanced Profitability
See the difference SureFit diabetic footwear will make in your practice. Call today for a FREE sample of the amazing UltraLITE.
Toll Free 800 298 6050 or visit http://www.surefitlab.com/
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HIPAA UPDATE |
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
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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: 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
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CODINGLINE CORNER
CURRENT TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ON CODINGLINE'S LISTSERV INCLUDE: -
o Coding a Tendo-Achilles Lengthening o Failed Attempt at Fracture Repair o E/M Denials & the Unlisted Casting Code o Hallux Amputation Revision o Heel Debridement - Calcanectomy Coding -
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RESPONSES / COMMENTS |
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
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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 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
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
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.
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