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PMNews
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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 18,443 Subscribers Daily
September 17, 2020 #6,769  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management https://podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2020- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| ANNUAL SURVEY NOW ONLINE - WIN VALUABLE PRIZES |
Congratulations to Justin Sussner, DPM, of Monroe, NY, winner of last week's prize of a Bobby Jones Golf Jacket. We encourage you to participate in this year's important annual survey. Completing this anonymous survey provides us with valuable data, which we will publish in the February 2021 issue of Podiatry Management. It also makes you eligible to win thousands of dollars worth of valuable prizes. Enter by completing this confidential survey and providing your e-mail address in the comments section on the last page of the survey. The earlier you enter, the more chances you have to win. NOTE: We are only requesting Information from 2019 (Pre-COVID-19) .
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(2) $100 Macy's Gift Cards |
***This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame.
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| AT THE COLLEGES | |
FL Podiatrist Now Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Clinical Instructor at BUSPM
Hugo Fernandez, MSHSA, MPH, MPA, DPM has started as a podiatric medicine and surgery clinical instructor at The Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine (BUSPM).
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Dr. Hugo Fernandez |
Dr. Fernandez graduated from BUSPM where he received DPM (2014), MPH, and MSHSA (2017), and MPA (2019) degrees. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education Degree (EdD) at the University of Florida.
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| PODIATRIC SUPER GROUPS IN THE NEWS | |
FASMA Welcomes NC Podiatrist
Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic (FASMA) welcomes Nicholas K. Miller, DPM. Dr. Miller earned his doctorate degree from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a surgical residency at Loyola University Medical Center and Hines VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL.
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Dr. Nicholas Miller |
Dr. Miller is seeing patients in Charlotte, NC, in the Myers Park and South Charlotte offices of FASMA. FASMA now operates with 96 providers, in 57 locations across DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina.
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY | |
AZ Podiatrist Joins Laser Vascular Centers
Ashley Jensen, DPM recently joined Laser Vascular Centers in Phoenix, AZ.
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Dr. Ashley Jensen |
Dr. Jensen graduated from the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in 2016 and completed a podiatric residency at Maricopa Integrated Health System in Phoenix, AZ.
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| PODIATRISTS IN INDUSTRY | |
MI Podiatrist Named Aspirus’ UP Regional Medical Director
Aspirus announced Jonathan Brueggeman, DPM as the Regional Medical Director for Aspirus in the Upper Peninsula. The interim Chief Medical Officer for Aspirus Keweenaw and Aspirus Ontonagon since November 2019, Dr. Brueggeman has been a practicing foot and ankle surgeon since 2008. He has also acted as the Director of Limb Salvage and Director of the Advanced Wound Care Center for Aspirus Keweenaw since March 2019. He will now serve as the Wound Care Director for the entire Upper Peninsula and Central Region of Aspirus.
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Dr. Jonathan Brueggeman |
Dr. Brueggeman earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He completed his podiatric surgical residency at St. Joseph Hospital of Chicago and was also affiliated with the North Chicago Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Source: TV6 News Team [9/15/20]
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| FROM PM's CURRENT ISSUE | |
Several times a week, PM News posts an entire article from a recent issue of our partner, Podiatry Management Magazine. Please note that the views expressed in Podiatry Management Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of PM News or Barry Block.
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| Today's Featured Article |
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| RELEVANT RESEARCH | |
Melanomas and Stress Patterns on the Foot
In this systematic review of 18 articles (n=1275), the authors found that acral lentiginous melanomas were more commonly seen on the pressure-bearing areas of the feet. Supporting this are the relative frequency of melanomas on the plantar heel (event rate, 49% for hindfoot vs 27% for forefoot vs 19% for midfoot) and the predilection for subungual melanomas to affect the proximal nail fold disproportionately, which is traumatized more frequently than the other toes.
This systematic review raises the question of whether certain biochemical stress patterns are associated with melanoma. Further investigation of the role of biomechanical pathways in the pathogenesis of this tumor would be useful. In the meantime, providers should be especially aware of atypical nevi and melanoma on acral sites when conducting skin cancer screening examinations. Close attention should be paid to the sole of the foot and the proximal nail fold of the hallux.
Source: Margaret Hammond, MD, Practice Update [9/14/20] via Dr. Allen Jacobs
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| PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY | |
7 Ways to Increase Patient Payments - Part 4
In most states, medical practices are re-opening and ramping up patient volume. Appointments and procedures are increasing, and physicians are eagerly anticipating an increase of cash flow compared to the past three months. However, the dismal unemployment numbers suggest that patient balances will be increasingly difficult to collect. Here are seven ways to increase patient payments.
4. Go Digital - Create and send your surveys electronically. People prefer online survey 30 times more than paper ones. Using a digital platform also allows you to automate the sending of surveys, personalize them to the patient, and easily see the results.
Source: Amy Anderson, Physicians Practice [7/7/20]
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| CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: RFC Denial Because of Location
Have you heard of any local carrier denying payment for CPT 11055, CPT 11056 or CPT 11057 based on location? I received a denial when the procedure was performed distal to the distal interphalangeal joint. I used the diagnosis code L84. Any thoughts?
Todd J Zang, DPM, Las Vegas, NV
Response: This denial should only apply if you also billed a nail care code at the same encounter. CMS decided several months ago that any callus distal to the DIPJ is “contiguous” with the nail and therefore included as part of the nail care. So, clearly document where the callus is. If all you billed was callus care, then this denial should not have happened.
That said, did they ask for chart notes? Did they say how they made the determination of callus location without chart notes? As one of the Noridian CAC reps, we are working on the RFC policy and want to make sure there are no glitches in the way the software is set up.
Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA
For information on Codingline subscriptions, click here
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (MEDICAL-LEGAL) | |
From: Laurie Yorke, RN
I can't answer the question about the consequences of not complying (the person on the phone didn't think anything would happen), but I have told Ciox that I will not have have their out of state data collectors in my office during the COVID-19 pandemic. These Ciox employees are mostly from out of state. In NJ, if they are from a "hot state", they have to abide by all the 14-day quarantine rules, which I'm sure they aren't doing. I'm not risking my staff on outside contractors purely for data mining. I offered to print the charts for a fee; they turned me down, so they can wait.
Laurie Yorke, RN, Practice Manager, Essex Union Podiatry
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) | |
From: Alan Bass, DPM
Conferences such as the New York Clinical Conference and the APMA National Meeting offer one day sessions on some of the hot topics on billing and coding. In addition to those, the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM) has meetings throughout the year that have tracks on billing and coding.
Disclosure: I am a Board Member of AAPPM.
Alan Bass, DPM, Manalapan, NJ
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Gerald Peterson, DPM
Congrats Howie. You deserve all the accolades. It is nice to see my classmate recognized.
Gerald Peterson, DPM, West Lynn, OR
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (OBITUARIES) | |
It is with sadness that I hear of the passing of Gil. Together, we graduated from OCPM in 1968. I remember many good times in all our years. My condolences to Evie. Rest In Peace my friend. God bless you.
Jim Steinberg, DPM, The Villages, FL
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoes of the Day
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| Walk like an Egyptian (mummy)? |
Source: Kaori Urazumi via Virtual Shoe Museum
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MEETING NOTICES
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NEED CME CREDITS FAST?
PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn up to 50 Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) Online
Earn 15 CECH only $249 (less than $17 per CECH)
podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
All required credits can be taken online for AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, DE, HI, IN, KS, LA, MA, ME, MI, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WV, and WI
Partial required credits can be taken online for AZ, FL, GA, ID, KY, IL, ID, IA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY*, NC, OK, PA, PR, TN, TX, WA, and DC
Choose any or ALL from 25+ CECH Category-1 articles posted
* NY podiatrists whose licenses expire from 3/2/20-5/1/21 may take all credits online
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHWEST FL
Immediate Position. Associate for busy practice. ABFAS or ABPM BC or BQ. Great interpersonal skills and willingness to work as a team a must. EMR, dig x-rays, Ultrasound, DME. Base salary, bonus, health, 401K, etc. DrLam@NaplesPodiatrist.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – PENNSYLVANIA
P/T to full time position in a progressive practice. Looking for ethical, motivated DPM. Owner no longer does surgery, so all cases will be done by the person filling this position. Office has EMR, digital X-Ray, EPAT and 3D orthotic scanning. Located in an upscale area. Salary plus P/T malpractice included. Great opportunity to practice in a warm environment with great earning potential as well as full time potential. Email your CV to podresume6@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – KENTUCKY
Associate positions available for well-trained, compassionate physician for busy, established offices in Southern Kentucky. Wide range of services to be offered with ancillary services onsite. Generous salary with incentive/full benefits and partnership opportunity. Email CV and cover letter to: Kyfootdr@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Well-established practice looking to hire an associate for a part time/full time position. Must be surgically trained, willing to work hard, and grow the practice. Highly competitive salary. Modern office with the latest and most advanced equipment. Partnership potential. Please send CV to: Drsteinberg@florhamparkpodiatry.com
POSITIONS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY - RI, GA, MN, and MA
Looking for reliable and ethical podiatrists to service Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Homes in Rhode Island, Georgia, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. Positions available immediately. Send inquiries and CV to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - OHIO
Established practice seeks full-time ABFAS or ABPM cert or qual. Podiatrist for our growing practice. Ideal candidate possesses strong clinical and surgical skills. Must be willing to merge into an already established protocol-based office. State of the art facilities and equipment. Hospital privileges, No nursing homes, base $120,000, and generous bonuses. Benefits include medical insurance, disability insurance, paid vacation and holidays, paid CME, and malpractice. Please send C/V to DPMOhio@gmail.com
FULL TIME PODIATRIST- NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
We are a fast-growing podiatry practice in North Jersey with multiple locations and Doctors. We are currently looking for a full-time motivated and caring Doctor to join our busy practice. Some benefits include: competitive six-figure salary, generous bonus structure, health insurance (including vision & dental), paid vacation time off, paid malpractice insurance and CME time off. Great prospects for experienced Doctors as well as new Associates. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your Podiatric medical and surgical experience in an office-based practice! If interested, please submit your CV to DrSamofal@PodiatryCenterNJ.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHEAST PENNNSYLVANIA
We are a 3-doctor podiatry practice in NEPA treating patients in a single office location. Our doctors have privileges at all area hospital systems, surgery centers and wound care center. We are looking for a full-time motivated and caring doctor with a Pennsylvania license to join our state-of-the-art practice. Competitive wages. Paid health insurance (including vision & dental), and malpractice insurance. Great prospect for experienced doctors as well as new associates. High level of surgical skills will be given priority of consideration. If interested, please submit your CV to lim.poconofoot@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ST. LOUIS, MO
Rapidly growing podiatry practice is seeking a personable, outgoing and self-motivated individual, who is competent in office-based practices but also enjoys all aspects of podiatry. Position available immediately and offers competitive compensation. Please send CV and letter of interest to podiatrystlouis@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - WESTERN MI
Established practice seeking part time associate for employment. Opportunity to practice in busy practice without ownership responsibilities. Competitive compensation. Flexible schedule. Multiple surgery options available. Contact: Yourpracticenow@gmail.com
FULL TIME ASSOCIATE – ALABAMA
National comprehensive lower extremity physician group continues to expand and seeks full-time Podiatric Physician in Birmingham, AL area. Excellent place to live. Established patient base & high growth opportunity to be a leader w/ largest group in AL. ABFAS or ABPM BQ/BC. Current AL license preferred or ability to take December test. Comprehensive comp & health benefits including 401K, PTO, malpractice, partnership path & add’l benefits. Please send CV to physicianrecruitment@upperlinehealth.com
FT-ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST- LOS ANGELES
State-of-the-Art Podiatry Office in Los Angeles looking for the right-minded affable DPM to join our team of friendly, motivated professionals ingrained in a cultural of teamwork. Driven by a dynamic, transparent leadership team, physician involvement is a key focus, enabling constant improvements delivering high-quality care that provides service to our in-office patients, skilled nursing home patients, wound care patients and hospitals. The Podiatrist services patients in skilled nursing facilities, in-office, satellite office and hospitals. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefit package. If interested submit CV and references to victorian@footnankledoc.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC, NY
Opportunity available for new Associate/Graduate for Immediate start in modern practice located in NYC. In search of hard working flexible podiatrist with firm verifiable clinical and surgical experience who is willing to travel as needed. In PDF form, email a letter of interest and resume with references to nynypod7@aol.com for consideration. If both are not received, there will be no consideration. Compensation will be discussed.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – LOS ANGELES, CA
Established multispecialty private practice group seeking well trained and ambitious specialist to treat podiatry and wound care patients. Expertise in complex and chronic wounds is needed but residency or wound care certification not required. Full-time and well compensated based on a private practice productivity model with salary and benefits guaranteed. Our experienced team provides beautiful, fully equipped offices with on-site ASCs. We provide trained office staff, marketing and expert revenue cycle management, ensuring doctors can focus on patient care. Excellent opportunity to build a great wound care and podiatry practice as part of a reputable and established company. TWCCJobs@gmail.com
FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA PANHANDLE
Immediate position available for hard-working, motivated individual in a well-established practice. Equal mix of primary care and surgery. Excellent opportunity to get on all insurance panels. Board qualified/Certified with ABPS preferred. Competitive salary and benefit package. Please email CV and letter of interest to recruiting@feetareneat.com.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 18,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at davidekagan@gmail.com or call (215) 808-0770
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
ACTIVELY SEEKING TO ACQUIRE A FOOT ORTHOTIC COMPANY
Well-funded group looking for both solvent and insolvent Orthotic companies. Join an established industry partner who has successfully integrated numerous acquisitions over many years. In strictest confidence, Please contact enquiries@Brandcontrol-holdings.com to explore further.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - PENINSULA SF BAY AREA
Revenues 2019 $671K (+30%), 2018 $515K (+26%), 2017 $409K (+13%) 2016 $316K – Picture yourself 3 years from now and the practice is making $1 million or more. You can do it! With the powerful yet deceptively simple secrets we used! Email newtoslac@yahoo.com so we can start a discussion and provide you with documentation. Don’t Delay: Accepting offers till September 30th ish. P.S. Why are we leaving? Kids are grown. We are ready for a new adventure. Opening practice in another state. P.P.S. Training provided for new practitioners if desired.
PRACTICE FOR SALE - GETTYSBURG, PA
Well established, 25 year old, full scope podiatry practice for sale. One full-time, 5 days/week, associate and one owner practicing one and a half days/week. Consistently collecting $700,000/year. Profit from practice over and above your income from seeing patients from year one. Owner will stay for transition and business consulting. drhenrock@yahoo.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - PITTSBURGH/SOUTHERN SUBURBS
Established busy solo practice. Great opportunity to expand your practice footprint or own you own practice. Owner is retiring - will transition. Excellent growth potential. Well trained staff and Certified EHR. Hospital and Surgery Center privileges. Excellent reputation with long standing referral sources. Contact: YourPracticeNow@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - WESTERN MI
Progressive 30 year solo practice in West Michigan for sale. Surrounding area is family oriented and only 30 minutes from Lake Michigan's sandy beaches. Robust medical community with many opportunities for practice growth. Perfect for a well trained podiatric surgeon as revenues would increase with available surgical expansion. Full range of services including conservative and surgical care, Traknet EMR, digital x ray, computerized orthotics, DME and diabetic shoe program. Retiring podiatrist is willing to assist with transition. Contact: YourPracticeNow@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - CENTRAL OHIO
Practice with outstanding reputation and long standing name recognition in community for sale. Practice refers out surgery, has a strong primary care base. Did not close during shut down due to demand. Priced to sale. Great starter office or secondary office. Contact: YourPracticeNow@gmail.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,000 DPMs AND STUDENTS
Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 18,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
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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.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to be
either timely or free of viruses.
| | Guidelines |
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- Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.
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