The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

September 05, 2008 #3,340 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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OK Podiatrist Offers 'Pillows for Your Feet'

For people with pain or pressure points in the balls of their feet, Dr. Kiersten Weber, an Edmond resident, now offers a non-surgical procedure that can replace the fat often lost in that area. “It’s called pillows for your feet,” Weber said. The procedure is ideal for runners or women who frequently wear high heels. Runners often wear down the fat in the balls of their feet from pounding down as they run. The loss of cushioning can result in pain, pressure, burning, calluses and ulcers.

Dr. Kiersten Weber (Photo Courtney Crauthers)

Likewise, when a woman wears a high heel, weight is focused on the balls of the feet, causing pain. Weber said the procedure will make high heel wearing more comfortable. Weber, a podiatrist at Oklahoma Foot and Ankle, said she and other doctors have had patients in the past with symptoms the procedure would relieve.

Patients interested in the procedure meet with the podiatrist for a consult to decide if the procedure is right for them and then they set a date. Weber carries out the procedure by numbing the foot and then injecting a sculptra implant. Sculptra is a biodegradable substance that has been specially formulated to be injected below the skin to help replace lost fat. “It doesn’t make your foot look better but it makes it feel better,” Weber said. The procedure costs anywhere from $75-$500 depending on the amount of material being injected, she said.

Source: Courtney Crauthers, The Edmond Sun [9/3/08]

McIntosh Appointed Head of New UK Podiatry School

Dr. Caroline McIntosh, originally from Cramlington in Northumberland, has been appointed Head of Podiatry at NUI Galway and will manage the university’s School of Podiatry. The new school offers the first Podiatry undergraduate program available in the State leading to a BSc (Hons). More than 20 students have been accepted onto the new course and will qualify in four years as healthcare professionals specializing in the management of disease and disorders of the lower limb and foot.

Dr. Caroline McIntosh

Dr. McIntosh joins NUIG from the Division of Podiatry at the University of Huddersfield, where she taught research methods, medicine, vascular assessment, diabetes and wound care since 2003 . Prior to her tenure at Huddersfield, Dr. McIntosh worked with the British NHS as a Senior Podiatrist with Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust in North Yorkshire. Throughout her career, Dr. McIntosh has been involved in a number of research studies, including two clinical trials investigating the effect of honey dressings on wound healing following toenail surgery.

Plans are currently underway for a podiatry clinic which will be developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) located in the Merlin Park campus of Galway Regional Hospitals, but will primarily provide services to community-based patients. The clinic will work in partnership with the university’s School of Podiatry to provide for the clinical education and training components of the program.

Source: Kernan Andrews, Galway Advertiser [9/4/08]

NY Podiatrist Enjoys Working One-on-One with Patients

Dr. Mark Hupart, who can address everything wrong with your feet from broken bones to hammertoes, has been a practicing podiatrist in Canarsie, Brooklyn for nearly twenty ears. He has been part of the community since he was a child and grew up in a house just around the corner from his office.

Dr. Mark Hupart

Hupert considers himself an old-fashioned doctor, and uses his knowledge and skills, as well as his standing in the community, to help people with certain ailments. Dr. Hupart said he became a podiatrist because he likes working one-on-one with patients. Even after so many years, he explained that he is very protective of his patients. "I never push them off on to other doctors. I take care of them and they take care of me." For proof, you can look no further than his first grade teacher, who is now his patient.

He is also unique because he still does something most medical practitioners gave up decades ago. He makes house-calls to patients who cannot make it to the office and works closely with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. Dr. Hupart explained that many patients have diabetes or other conditions, which keep them homebound, and explained that he cannot "just stop seeing them."

Source: Zoe G. Thomas, Canarsie Courier

Using Voice Mail Effectively

Many callers feel that voice mail, the electronic answering system that offers a menu of departments, is too impersonal. Here are some ways to use your voice-mail answering machine and still appear to offer personal service:

• Record your message in your own voice. Identify yourself and make your message personal and informational. Example: "This is Dr. Smith. I'm currently performing surgery. If you press 0, you may leave a message with my receptionist, Pat."
• Invite messages. People will leave them when they believe that you will take them off the machine. Make certain that you change your message when you return.
• Practice recording until you sound conversational. Smile when you are recording.
• Send a letter to key people who call you often. Explain why you have voice mail and how it will help them get to you more effeciently. When they call, they'll be prepared.

Source: Nancy Friedman, The Telephone Doctor

Query: State Association Website

Our state podiatric medical association is in the process of creating a website. The purpose of the website will be for association membership communication, public interest/education, and ultimately improved marketing. We have hired a web designer. The project has potential to become quite expensive (thousands of dollars) depending on how high-tech and interactive the website is...Does anyone have any comments, advice, or experience (good or bad) in this area? We'd like to obtain some input before spending our fellow member’s hard-earned dues dollars.

Name Withheld

RE: Denials for Add-on Codes for AFO’s
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

Several podiatrists have contacted me after they received denials on addition codes for when billing AFO base codes (e.g., L1970 was paid, but L2820 was not).

Jurisdiction C has resolved the problem, and has promised to perform an in-house adjustment. If your claim is not paid correctly within 90 days, I suggest that you contact the carrier, as once 120 days have passed, you may lose your right to appeal the claim.

Jurisdiction A has informed me that podiatrists may have to resubmit the entire claim. It is recommended that each supplier contact a customer service representative, and confirm what action he/she should take to rectify the denial. I am waiting for clarification from the Outreach and Education Dept on this.

I have not heard of any issues with respect to Jurisdictions B or D.

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

RE: HR 6631 and Open Door Forum on MIPPA (Paul Kesselman, DPM)
From: Gerald Peterson, DPM

I appreciate Dr. Kesselman's kudos to those members mentioned but I think he forgot to mention the hundreds of contributors to APMAPAC who made it possible to have an audience with the legislators who voted to move this issue to the forefront of the agenda and pass this most important and vital legislation to all podiatric physicians.

I would like, on behalf of the APMAPAC Board of Directors, to thank all of the faithful supporters of the PAC who contributed to APMAPAC this year and last, who helped make this possible. They are the unsung heroes of our profession and deserve our kudos too.

Our job is not over however. Title XIX here we come!

Gerald Peterson, DPM, Chair, APMAPAC, DRP@ifixft.com

RE: Obligation to Treat Medicaid Patients (Name Withheld)
From: Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM

Unless the patient has an acute emergency and you are the only physician able to treat that patient, perhaps due to your proximity, or lack of other providers reasonably near-by, you are under no obligation to treat Medicaid patients. Podiatrists are rarely in that position. Previous patients who are now on Welfare have different rules. You cannot "dump" a previous patient just because they are now on welfare. However, if it has been at least a year since you have seen that patient and they are not now under your "active" care, you may refuse to see them, but you MUST refer them to another provider. That provider need not be another podiatrist. Carefully document your referral in your chart note.

Medicaid coverage for podiatric services is a hit and miss proposition with a number of states refusing to pay podiatrists. Chances are you already know if your state permits podiatrists to bill and be paid for your services.

By virtue of state law in virtually every state, hospital emergency rooms are NOT permitted to turn away patients, no matter their insurance or lack of it. Your staff should always inquire about insurance when speaking to a new patient, or a previous patient who may or may not have an insurance change. That is the correct time to bring up the issue with your potential patient, not when they are already in your office.

You need to instruct your staff clearly on what they are to say to potential patients, previous or not, on your offices' insurance policy. Quiz them to make sure they fully understand the issues involved. It's worth the time and effort.

Michael M. Rosenblatt, DPM, San Jose, CA, rosey1@prodigy.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NAPLES

Immediate opening for full-time associate position in SW FL. Surgical practice seeking PSR 24+ trained individual who is self-motivated and must be BQ/BC in Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. Current FL license a plus for immediate start. Ilizarov or AO fellow a plus. Please email CV to: KLAMDPM@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE – OCEAN COUNTY, NJ

Seeking a full-time associate for well-established practice in Toms River. Searching for a hardworking, ethical and well-trained individual. MUST be willing to do all aspects of Podiatry. Competitive salary and benefits package. Immediate opening available. E-mail CV to NJFeet@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE- NEW YORK

Full-time associate position in our well-established Midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills practices. Well-rounded practice with hospital based surgery and all phases of podiatric care. We are seeking PSR 24/36 trained podiatrist with good surgical background. Compensation to also include malpractice expenses. Forward CV to slurie@papapc.net or Fax to # 212-753-3521

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – MARYLAND

Are you motivated, personable and enjoy working with the elderly? We are offering full or part-time positions in Maryland. Our group, Podiatry Management Services, provides care to the elderly in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Senior Homes, Adult Daycare and other similar facilities. Please e-mail your c.v. to drhprosen@comcast.net, fax to 410-486-2049, call Dr. Herbert Rosen 410-580-0255

PRACTICE FOR SALE – CALIFORNIA

Practice is available immediately for sale in sunny Capitola, CA. The office space is available for lease or month-to-month for $750/month. The practice has a loyal patient base which is mostly home visits and skilled nursing facilities in Santa Cruz county. The practice can be moved to another location or merged with an existing practice. Asking price $35,000.00. dtarsky@gmail.com

IMMEDIATE POSITION AVAILABLE TN/GA

We're in search of a motivated, well-trained DPM who is great with patients. Our well-established multi-doctor, multi-office practice is located in Southeast Tennessee/North Georgia. Must have Tennessee or Georgia license. Please reply via email to ikraus@sprynet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ILLINOIS

Quality Podiatry Group provides quality services to residents at long term care facilities. We are currently offering full-time or part-time positions for motivated ethical podiatrists. Immediate openings available. If interested fax curriculum vitae to 312 225-9366 or e-mail feetwork@aol.com

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (5x) for $89 One month of ads (20x) for $340 .

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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 11,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 Ext 110.

MINNESOTA - IMMEDIATE OPENING

Well-established practice with 8 offices in the Minneapolis metro area seeking a highly motivated PSR 24/36 trained podiatrist for a full time or part time associate position. ABPS certified, qualified or eligible preferred. Excellent income potential with benefits including health insurance, malpractice insurance, relocation expense, association dues, license fees, hospital dues, continuing education expense. Possible buy-in or buy-out in future. Heavy emphasis on surgery and sports medicine with minimal RFC. Please e-mail CV to footandankledoc22@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MINNESOTA

Minnesota-2 well established prime office locations for sale in the Minneapolis suburbs. Great income potential with large MD referral base .Can purchase one or both offices together. 175k gross/ each office. Owner will help with transition. Please e-mail minnesotadpm@live.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BOSTON, MA

Associate wanted, Full-time or part-time, for busy long time, well established, and well rounded practice. Good mix of general podiatry and surgery. Office will generate approximately 100+ surgical cases per year. Must have surgical background for this practice, ABPS Qualified minimum needed to obtain hospital privileges. Associate position is open for partnership or purchase. Contact robert.nunberg@comcast.net

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