The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

September 14, 2009 #3,648 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We've just mailed the September  2009 Podiatry Management. This special 228-page issue contains 11 major articles on orthotics and biomechanics, and is filled with a variety of interesting, informative, and useful articles. You'll also find our usual assortment of features, including our columns, and a CPME-approved CME.

September 2009 Podiatry Management

Congratulations to Keith Daniels , DPM of Flint, MI , winner of PictZar® Digital Planimetry Software - Wound Measurement on Digital Photographs (Value $850).

We encourage you to participate in this important survey at www.podiatrym.com/survey Completing this anonymous survey provides us with valuable data, which we will publish in the February 2010 issue of PM. It also makes you eligible to win thousands of dollars of valuable prizes. Enter by sending Question #43 (no answer necessary) to bblock@podiatrym.com along with your name and address.

This week's prize is registration to the 2010 Alaska Practice Management Cruise.  Learn about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure seminar by going to www.podiatrym.com/alaska (Value $495).

This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and Non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame. 

Babies Don’t Need Shoes To Walk: TX Podiatrist

Many parents do not think that a baby's outfit is complete unless it is topped off with a cute little pair of shoes. Those shoes, if not the appropriate kind, can do a lot more damage to the development of the child's foot than parents realize. "Parents like kids to look nice, but parents have to realize that a baby's foot is different than an adult foot," says Dr. Andrew J. Schneider, a Houston podiatrist.

Dr. Andrew J Schneider

Many healthcare professionals and parents debate whether babies need to wear shoes when learning how to walk. Schneider is against it. "Babies' feet are growing so fast that they are changing sizes every month or two," he says. Additionally, Schneider says that many parents do not understand that what they think is cute or making a fashion statement can hinder foot development and sensitivity.

Source: Darlene Dunn, WSMV-TV (Nashville, TN)[9/4/09]
 

Text by PA Podiatrist Receives Award at BMA Medical Book Competition

The textbook, Practical Manual of Diabetic Foot Care, 2nd Edition: Michael Edmonds, Alethea VM Foster, and Lee Sanders – Wiley-Blackwell, January 2008 has been selected as a Highly Commended book in the Endocrinology Category at the prestigious 2009 British Medical Association (BMA) Medical Book Competition.

Dr. Lee Sanders

The annual BMA Medical Book Competition, established in 1996, aims to encourage and reward excellence in medical publishing. Judging takes place in three stages, and all entries are individually appraised by specialists and educators. In 2004, the first edition of A Practical Manual of Diabetic Foot Care was selected as BMA Medical Book of the Year.

Top Ten Ways to Grow Your Practice (for doctors and assistants)

1. Understand that it is the assistants' practice too…not just the doctor’s.
2. Understand that every contact with a patient provides an opportunity to WOW them.
3. Two very powerful words are “I’m sorry.”
4. Develop relationships (simple) with the staff of referring physicians. 
5. Reinforce to your patients that podiatrists are the best, and that they treat foot and ankle conditions frequently and successfully.
6. A satisfied patient with a resolved problem is your best advertisement.
7. Take a minute to be your patients' sympathetic ear. You do not know the path they walked before they opened your door.
8. Listen!
9. Have your assistants carry your practice’s cards. A small investment for a great return! 
10. Always thank your patient. “Thanks for coming in today.” “Great seeing you.” “Glad you are feeling better.”

Source: Hal Ornstein, Chairman AAPPM. For information on the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Administration click here.

Query: Post-op Heel Pain

A 55 y/o female had Achilles tendon and posterior spur surgery 5 months ago performed by another podiatrist. She has a Mitek anchor, but it is well embedded into the calcaneus. She has sensory loss to the medial lower heel and arch.  She went through PT, arch supports, steroid injections. She can't afford to have an MRI.

She states that her biggest complaint is a deep ache on the inside of her left heel when she goes down stairs. She notices much less pain while walking on flat ground or when wearing a heeled shoe. This same area is exquisitely painful if she presses on this area or if a shoe presses on the area. She states that this is only when the foot is dorsiflexed. When the foot is plantarflexed, there is no pain.
 
There is tenderness, but no edema in the left heel, just medial to the most medial portion of the Achilles tendon. There is good plantarflexion strength that is equivalent to the right foot and no calf pain on compression B/L. The only thing that comes to mind is an iatrogenic neuroma pain from the surgery of the cutaneous nerve to the painful area. Any suggestions would be appreciated. 
 
Philip E. Larkins, DPM, Escondido, CA

Query: Suspected Plagiarism

We have a resident who submitted a research paper. Upon review by multiple physicians, there is a very high suspicion of plagiarism. The hospital administration is determined to either prove or disprove the allegations. Any recommendations on how to proceed will be greatly appreciated.

Name Withheld

Editor’s comments: PM News does not provide legal advice. Theft of intellectual property is a serious problem and should be dealt with accordingly. The manuscript in question should be examined by an independent committee who can compare it to alleged plagiarized work(s). If it is clearly demonstrated that plagiarism has occurred, the residency director can decide what sanctions should be assessed.

RE: Billing Services (Thomas F. Vail, DPM)
From: Chris Browning, DPM, Richard A. Simmons, DPM

We have used SMB Billing company for about 5 years and have NEVER had a problem. They charge reasonable rates. We see the patients, collect their demographics and e-mail superbills and any new patient info at the end of the day to our personal biller. I have had the same great biller for 5 years. I have her office and home number. Billing is fast, electronic and there is minimal aging. We have a very busy/high volume practice. They give you access to multiple reports via website and you can track many statistics.

The good points about outsourcing unless you are small: Quick billing turn-around, they are never sick, they mail out the statements, they deal with the patient's billing issues, they will even do the collections. You do not have to pay payroll taxes and manage another employee who you hope is billing correctly. I have heard horror stories of billers getting sick and the practice sinks, billers miscoding, failing to bill secondaries, etc. For the record, I understand there are many fine billers/coders out there, but for our busy practice, we have had great success with SMB. Their website is 4podiatrist.com  They are an excellent podiatry-specific billing company and we have had excellent results.

Chris Browning, DPM, Nederland, TX, chrisbrowning@att.net

Disclaimer: I have no stock in the company or financial interest.

I had bad experiences with outsourcing that simply resulted in my claims not being submitted correctly and followed up in a timely fashion; however, for the past six years, I have used a billing company that is alert and aggressive.

If there is one suggestion I could make, it is for the podiatrist to know what he wants the billing company to do for him. For instance, if your software is compatible with that of the billing company and can transmit perfect bills directly into their software, then your fees should be very low. If, however, your billing company must data-entry all of your patients' demographics and each bill, line-by-line, then you should expect to pay more. If your office researches the Correct Coding Edits prior to bill submission, you should pay less per claim than an office that submits claims without modifiers. That is, you should expect to pay more for a certified biller than you would for a data-entry person. 

My experience has been very favorable and it frees up office personnel for other tasks. In a small office the problem I noticed is that billing is not a constant job all day, but one that gets started and stopped because of numerous interruptions, which results in errors.  In a large group practice, it would make more sense to do the billing in-house with dedicated personnel.

Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Rockledge, FL, rasdpm32822@aol.com

RE: PSR-24 Discrimination (Name Withheld)
From: Mark Weaver, DPM

I look back many years to the 1970/80's. We were a much more adherent group then. However, I always (I mean always) found a podiatrist at the base of the discrimination for hospital privileges. Sometimes they pointed the finger at a mean-spirited orthopedist on staff, but I never saw the orthopedist as more than a mouthpiece in those cases. If this is your problem (and you already know this), ask your colleagues to help. Peer pressure always worked in cases where injustice was present. If your skills are 'not up to snuff', however, you won't find support from your fellow podiatrists.

Mark Weaver, DPM, Fort Myers, FL,  TCOPN@att.net

RE: Remembering 9/11
From: Neil M. Scheffler, DPM

Just a thank-you for continuing to publish the comments from 9-11 (and the picture). Too many have forgotten the way they felt on that day and have become complacent. We are at war and cannot forget. I will not.

Neil M. Scheffler, DPM, Baltimore, MD, feetone@aol.com

Editor's note: Dr. Caputo's extended-length letter appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=28821&start=1

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NYC 
 
Expanding Joint Commission Accredited Surgical and state of art medical podiatry practice seeks part-time ABPS Qualified/Certified podiatric surgeon on two weekdays in Flushing, Queens and on Saturday's in Midtown, Manhattan. Email CV and cover letter  to   EcksteinDPM@AOL.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION (SURGICAL) – CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Surgical Group is seeking a Board-Certified podiatrist to add to our Surgical Podiatry division based in Central Connecticut. This podiatrist will provide all aspects of Podiatric care with a focus on wound and surgical care to a well-established patient base. We require PSR-36 training and board certification or eligibility, excellent surgical and wound care skills, a strong focus on providing compassionate care to our patients, and the ability to work as part of a team in a group practice setting. To apply please visit our website . EOE

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NY (MID-TOWN MANHATTAN & WESTCHESTER COUNTY)

Multi-office, well-established medical/surgical practice with on premises OR, digital x-rays, vascular testing, sonogram, F-scan, bone density testing, fluoroscopy & NCV. Additionally, EMR with voice recognition charting coming soon, and many other perks are available. We are looking for personable, well-trained & well-motivated individual. Patient base available for immediate in-office productivity. If you are new or ready to change locations, contact us ASAP to discuss opportunities. Send resume and cover letter to terri.bobson@verizon.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MD

Well-established and growing 2 office state-of-the-art practice located in medical/professional buildings. EMR, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, DME provider, etc. Competitive Base Salary plus bonus, malpractice, health insurance, etc. PSR 24 minimum/Board Qualified or Certified with ability and desire to take ER call. If interested, forward CV to DOCSBNB@aol.com

LOCUM TENENS POSITION – PHOENIX, AZ

Locum Tenens position available in West Valley Phoenix office beginning September 15th. Salary negotiable. One to two days a week in a friendly and casual office. Please direct all inquiries to drlaurel@cox.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE/ASSOCIATE POSITION-COLORADO
 
Established practice in Denver area. Turn-key for immediate possession or associate position. Office located on hospital campus with referral sources in building. Practice evaluation at 275K. Contact Jenifer Davies at 303-947-1869.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Well-established, state of the art medical-surgical podiatry practice seeking well-trained motivated individual to work full-time with future partnership possible. Will start with full schedule. PSR-24 a minimum. Email resume to Howard4624@gmail.com

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. 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 – CENTRAL FLORIDA

Growing practice east coast of central Florida looking for full or part-time associate willing to buy into practice. PSR 24/36 Please contact: pfk4@yahoo.com.

OFFICE SPACE/ MRI RENTAL – NYC, LI

Turn-key space available, daily, monthly; East 60th off Park Ave, East 22nd St. off 3rd Ave, Hicksville and/or Plainview Long Island. JACHO-certified operating rooms available, as well as all surgical equipment and anesthesia. Extremity MRI Rental. Stark compliant. All exams read by board certified radiologist. Call for details. 516 476-1815

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA

Seeking well-trained ABPS board certified/qualified foot surgeon for surgical practice with national foot/hand/orthopedic surgery group. Excellent salary/benefits. E-mail CV and cover letter to: slb99@pdq.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to fmassuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND

Busy Wantagh, NY office. Motivated, preferably board certified, hard working, experienced in all phases of Podiatry. F/T, P/T hours available. excellent salary, call 516 242-7540 or Fax Resume 516 826-9036 or email jobke@aol.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 11,500 DPM's and Students

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