The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,800 Podiatrists Daily

September 19, 2007 #3,044 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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TX Podiatrist is Huckabee's "Running" Mate

A top Jewish supporter of Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign said he came to admire the former Arkansas governor during a recent Marine Corps Marathon in Washington. Dr. Jeffrey Ross, a Houston podiatrist and running enthusiast, said the event gave him a strong insight into the candidate’s character. “Six months earlier I had read a story about how Huckabee, who had lost more than 100 pounds and was diagnosed with diabetes, had run his first marathon,” said Ross. “I was very interested in running with him because I really admired his story.”

Dr. Jeffrey Ross and Gov. Huckabee

Ross and Huckabee ran the grueling race together. “In the last 10 miles, we really helped each other along,” he said “When you run with somebody for over four hours, you really get to know who that person is; you see him reach back to the inner self, you get to see where his strength and commitment are.”

Ross said he supports Huckabee because of the candidate’s “commitment to fighting adult and childhood obesity and his commitment to healthy living. He had his personal wake-up call; he is genuinely committed to being healthy.”

Source: James D. Besser, The Jewish Week [9/7/07]

CA Podiatrist Pleads Guilty to Child Molestation

A retired Nicasio(CA) podiatrist charged with molesting a boy for more than a year has pleaded guilty in a deal with prosecutors. Alan Lawrence Ager, 59, pleaded guilty this week to one count of engaging in three or more acts of substantial sexual conduct with a child under 14, said Deputy District Attorney Dorothy Proudfoot. Two counts of lewd acts on a child were dropped in the plea bargain. Ager, who is free on bail, faces up to 16 years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 16 before Judge Kelly Simmons.

Dr. Alan Ager

Ager was arrested in January on allegations he inappropriately touched a boy on at least 30 occasions between October 2005 and December 2006. The boy was 5 years old when the molestations began, police said. The sheriff's office was notified by the boy's mother, who said she walked into a bedroom on Ager's property on Christmas Day 2006 and saw him with his pants down and Ager beside him, police said.

Source: Gary Klien, Marin Independent [9/14/07]

Clinton Unveils “Insurance For All” Plan

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) has taken aim at the same health insurance industry that worked to scuttle her first attempt at national healthcare reform some 14 years ago, unveiling a $110 billion initiative that would require every American to carry some level of health insurance—and every insurance company to cover them no matter what. Clinton delivered her address at 89-bed Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, IA..

Under her three-pronged American Health Choices Plan, individuals would be allowed to keep their current health insurance policies if they want, or instead choose from a variety of private health plans that operate similarly to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program. A public option, similar to Medicare, would also be included within that pool of private plans, she said.

While every individual would be required to have insurance, large employers are also on the hook to offer coverage and to pay for employee healthcare costs, Clinton said. Small businesses, however, would be exempt from the mandate, but would be asked to parlay tax credits to help pay for costs.

Source: Matthew DoBias, Modern Healthcare [9/17/07]

Query: Management of a 5th Met Non-Union

I have a 50 year old white female with a history of hypophosphatasia and pernicious anemia. Her only med is methylcobalamine. She has a history of delayed healing of past fractures. She sustained a non-displaced 5th metatarsal tuberosity fracture 5 weeks ago and was placed in a non-weight-bearing, below –the-knee cast. Her circulation is normal. How long to expect for healing? Do I have to wait for complete union to allow weight-bearing? How soon should I get a bone stim?

Sandy Schustek, DPM, Charlottesville, VA

Query: BC/BS Amerigel Billing

Recently, Blue Cross Blue Shield in South Carolina contacted us regarding the billing of Amerigel as a supply (using CPT 99070). They stated they will be bundling it into the office visit. Is this correct? Should this supply be a cash payment, and not filed to the insurance carrier at all?

Joseph Menn, DPM, Myrtle Beach, SC

Response: The correct code for Amerigel is A6248 (hydrogel dressing, wound filler, gel, per fluid ounce).

We bill DMERC for Medicare patients, with the appropriate modifier, and it is paid. Some insurance carriers, however, consider it a part of the surgical procedure.

James Webb, DPM, Bartlesville, OK

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RE: Low Insurance Reimbursement (Jon Hultman, DPM, MBA)
From: Allen Jacobs, DPM

I would suggest caution in following any advice, however sound on a short term basis, which would limit patient access to the average office. With the rise of foot and ankle orthopods, the proliferation of OTC support providers like the "good feet store", pedorthotists wearing white coats and essentially diagnosing and treating in their "offices", the expansion of foot services by vascular surgery, dermatologists, etc., I do not feel the average practice should cut off patient flow access by withdrawing from any insurance plan.

Many of those advocating such action have made lots of money doing lots of surgery, including some controversial minimal incision surgical procedures.

The alternative of "doing more to less" engages a specter of uneccessary services or surgery as compensation in order to maintain or increase the bottom line. I have witnessed this philosophy in St. Louis, with non-residency trained individuals declaring themselves a "surgery only practice". The greater income and ego generated is soon modified by the malpractice cases which predictably followed. Loss of coverage is soon to follow.

Care for those with poor paying insurance, but limit those services which you provide. Direct those in need of services which you will not provide due to poor reimbursement to a school or residency program or someone else. Let the patient know the truth as to why you are compelled to make the referral.

However, other than medical assistance, DO NOT remove yourself from any insurance plan. This is NOT the time to lose patient flow.

Allen Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO, allen thepod@sbcglobal.net

PAIN RELIEVING DEVICE FOR SALE

Matrix pain device, upgraded with latest Sanexas software. Great working order, operating manual, and programs to treat nerve and muscle pain, edema, circulation, inflammation, and other health problems. $28,000 new, will sell for $12,000. Covered by Medicare, most all insurances, coding and billing information provided. Photo can be seen at http://www.outcomemedical.com/matrix E-mail don@outcomemedical.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-773-292-4800. Fax 773-342-4201 -E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com -- www.homephysicians.com

UNIVERSAL PROCEDURE CHAIR FOR SALE

Blue with doctor's stool. Like new. Great for any specialty. Can be used as a podiatry chair or in office surgery. Asking price: $1,000. Photos Available. Please contact doccapo@yahoo.com

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