The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,000 Podiatrists Daily

September 24, 2011 #4,268 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Six Podiatrists Named to Seattle Mags' Top Docs List

Seattle Met conducts an annual, comprehensive survey of Seattle-area healthcare providers across dozens of specialties to rank the highest-rated doctors based on peer endorsements, experience, awards and several other criteria. In total, the 2011 list includes 612 Seattle-area practitioners in 66 specialties. 

(L-R) Drs. Richard T. Bouche, Eric Heit, Byron Hutchinson, Peter J. Lallas, Brandon Nelson, and Timothy Young

The podiatrists named to this year's list are: Richard T. Bouche, DPM, Eric Heit, DPM, Byron Hutchinson, DPM, Peter J. Lallas, DPM, Brandon Nelson, DPM, and Timothy Young, DPM

Source: Ariana Dawes, Seattle Met

NY Podiatrist Loses Primary, But Remains on Three Lines

Earlier this year, county legislator, 16th district candidate Dr. Joe Carbone, a Republican, submitted an “opportunity to ballot” for the Independence party endorsement that went to incumbent County Legislator Vince Esposito, a Democrat. That primary was held Tuesday, Sept. 13. Although Carbone did not win, he will still be on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election, however, on three lines. He still has the endorsements of the Republican, Conservative, and Working Families parties.

Dr. Joseph Carbone

Since the primary, Carbone said, "everyone thinks I'm out of the election ... but I was just trying to get the fourth (ballot) line." To date, he has received some key endorsements, including several from unions.  Carbone has a doctor of podiatry degree from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, and has practiced podiatry in Irondequoit for 26 years.

Source: Linda Quinloan, Irondequoit Post [9/23/11]

NY Podiatrist Settles Civil Fraud Lawsuit with Government

A Monsey podiatrist has settled a civil fraud lawsuit filed against him by the US government for submitting false claims to Medicare. According to the lawsuit, Chaim Chaimowitz of Monsey sought reimbursement for non-compensable routine foot care, and billed Medicare for services that could not have been performed in the time period reported.

The settlement requires Chaimowitz to pay $800,000 to the government and requires him to establish and maintain a compliance program and undertake training obligations. The government alleged that Chaimowitz billed Medicare for procedures that could not have been performed in the time period indicated in the claims. In one instance, he billed on nine separate days for services that should have taken more than 35 hours to perform. 
 
Source: Mid-Hudson News [9/23/11]

CMS: $653 Million in EHR Incentives Paid

The federal government has paid out more than $653 million for electronic health-record system incentive payments to programs under Medicare and Medicaid, according to the latest data from the CMS.

The programs, created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, have registered 90,650 organizations or individual providers through Aug. 31, the CMS reports. There have been 4,463 physicians and eligible providers paid $93.9 million under Medicaid, according to the CMS.

Source: Joseph Conn, Modern Healthcare [9/22/11

Give Your Voice a Tune-up

An unpleasant speaking voice can ruin a career. Your voice should portray confidence and authority without sounding shrill, monotone, nasal or raspy. Record yourself for about two minutes while speaking about a business topic or reading out loud. Play it back and listen carefully for:

•  Objectionable pitch, tone or volume. Voices beyond the usual ranges can be annoying and distracting.
•  Filler phrases. Count how many times you say “um,” “like” and “you know.”
•  Unclear enunciation. Listen for garbled or shortened words such as 'talkin’ and 'gettin’.
•  Unflattering accent or inflection. Some accents indicate prestige, while others scream unrefined. For example, the valley-girl inflection makes every sentence sound like a question.
•  Uncomfortable pacing. Talking too fast makes you hard to understand, and speaking too slowly puts your audience to sleep.

Remedy: Relax your muscles and breathe from your center. Practice changing your pace, pitch, and volume to emphasize and engage your listeners.

Source: Adapted from “Your Voice: Helping or Hurting Your Career?” Leslie Ayres, Life Goes Strong via Communication Briefings

Query: Sclerosing Injections

How many alcohol sclerosing injections should typically be given in series for HMs, HDs, IPKs, and neuromas?
 
Richard Dibacco, DPM, Erie, PA

Query: Matrixectomy with Granuloma Excision

I have a patient with granulomas on both borders of the left hallux periungual area. I performed a phenol-type matrixectomy (with complete nail removal), and excision of both border granulomas. How would I bill these procedure(s)?

Syed Ghani, DPM, Sterling Hts., MI

Response: Removal of the granulomas would be considered part of the nail removal and matrixectomy. You bill the CPT 11750 with the applicable digit modifier.

Andrew Perry, DPM, Lafayette, IN

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RE: Yellow Hands & Feet (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Barry Mullen, DPM

Yellow hands and feet is a sign ascribed to several conditions. The specific laboratory studies performed were not mentioned. It is quite possible that some studies commensurate with the etiologies within the differential diagnosis of yellow hands and feet were omitted. Therefore, first review the prior lab studies. If any of the ones listed below were omitted, consider adding them and checking the results.

a) T3,T4 and Thyroxine (hypothyroidism is associated with yellow hands and feet). A thyroid condition was mentioned in your patient's medical history. Which one is it, and is the medication maintaining her thyroid levels?

b) Bilirubin, LFT and Hepatitis assay (liver disease can lead to jaundice which is associated with yellow hands and feet).

c) Vit A and beta carotene assays (high vegetarian diets and/or over consumption of those dietary supplements can lead to yellow hands and feet). Switching to a gluten-free diet can help this scenario.

Barry Mullen, DPM, Hackettstown, NJ, yazy630@aol.com

RE: Support DPM Candidates for Congress (Bret Ribotsky, DPM)
From: Marc Garfield, DPM

A few months ago, I heard a DPM (now candidate Lee Rogers) speak at a scientific conference. His podiatric insight and experience are a great contribution to our profession. I found it disturbing however that he saw fit to quote George Bernard Shaw (An early 1900s advocate of Fabian socialism) during a scientific discussion. I am therefore prompted to request caution when supporting candidates for federal office who may support an agenda that brings much more to the table than support for podiatry. 

Let these candidates express how they are going to improve our country while maintaining fair reimbursement for medical services. Nine times out of ten, we can’t agree on how to treat a bunion, despite the fact that we are all podiatrists, all with valid points and intentions. I see no reason for us to support political candidates collectively, just because we are all podiatrists.
 
Marc Garfield, DPM, Williamsburg, VA, mgarfield1@cox.net

Editor's Note: The quote Dr. Garfield refers to is, "I marvel that society would pay a surgeon a large sum of money to remove a person’s leg ...but nothing to save it."  George Bernard Shaw

RE: CPMA's Physician & Surgeon Certication Quest (Ivar Roth, DPM, MPH)
From: Devon Glazer, DPM

I am happy to see that Dr. Ivar Roth sees the value in what CPMA is doing in California. That being said, we do need funding to make this happen. CPMA has started a fund to support this Task Force, and I encourage all to donate what you can, as this will help all DPMs in the nation. Dr. Roth, I look forward to seeing your check and leading the way for all DPMs to contribute to our great future.

Devon Glazer, DPM, Newport Beach, CA, drdev01@yahoo.com

RE: Demeaning Invesco Ad (Joan Williams, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

Here is an email I posted on the Invesco website today.

"I am a retired podiatrist, but as my second career, I am a graduate of a Certified Financial Planning course and am a RIA (registered investment advisor) in Maryland.

As a former podiatrist, I find your ad somewhat offensive but mostly ignorant and incredibly insensitive. Podiatrists can be just as savvy investors (or not) as any other segment of the population. If you had used the term "golf partner" instead of "podiatrist", the impact would have been the same without any insult intended. As an investor in Invesco and someone who occasionally recommends your funds to clients, I will now re-evaluate my relationship with your company"
 
Joel, Lang, DPM, Baltimore, MD, langfinancial@verizon.net

I was not offended by the Invesco ad. In fact, I see it as harmless publicity. I remember when the only mention of podiatry was regarding shoe recommendations.

Frederic C. Spector, DPM, Savannah, GA, spec18608@aol.com

What Dr. Williams said is somewhat true, but at least they’re noticing us now. Just a few years ago, most people didn’t even know what a podiatrist was. Don’t be too thin-skinned. Dentists, and of course proctologists, have been the butt of jokes for years! (sorry’bout that).

Art Gudeon, DPM, Rego Park, NY, afootdoc@ix.netcom.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST TENNESSEE

30 year old practice with 5 offices in greater Knoxville area seeking ethical, personable, hardworking, team player. Extremely competitive base salary with bonus incentives and benefits. Knoxville is consistently ranked in top 5 places in U.S. Post-residency experience a plus. Please send resume to ddavidphawk@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PORTLAND, OREGON

Busy office with good steady referral sources looking to expand. Areas of expertise wanted: wound care, surgery of all aspects, knowledge of running an office. Please come with good personality and hard work ethics. New main and satellite offices. mail: office.pfac@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NEW YORK

Outstanding Opportunity. Our medical surgical group is recruiting a well-trained licensed podiatric physician. Located in Beautiful upstate NY. Full hospital privileges, as well as working with two residency programs. Must be highly motivated and great with patients. Opportunity for growth. Competitive salary and benefit package. Please send CV to associateinfoot@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – IOWA CITY AREA

FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA (LEHIGH VALLEY)

Well-established, rapidly growing practice with multiple offices. Motivated, ethical and personable with well-trained PSR-24/36. Modern office’s with complete EMR, digital radiography, diagnostic ultrasound, and laser. Competitive salary/benefits package with partnership opportunity. If interested please fe-mail your CV, letter of intent and references to: Pafootdocs@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Well-established successful Park Avenue podiatry practice is recruiting an In-Network, skilled and well-trained DPM with a minimum of 3 years of experience. Must be experienced in rear and forefoot reconstruction. Must be self-motivated and great with patients. Practice facilities and technologies include: in-office Physical Therapy, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and Electronic Medical Records. MRI, and Private Operating Room. Please E-mail CV to sjohnson@parkavemed.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - HUDSON VALLEY REGION , NY

Unique opportunity for the right person! We are a high-volume, diversified, multi-office practice utilizing state-of-the-art modalities. Ample growth opportunities for a personable and highly-motivated DPM. Please forward CV to:healthyfeet4ever@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH CAROLINA

Upstate practice seeking PSR-24/36 trained associate. Full-time position with partnership opportunity. Must be ethical, highly-motivated with strong surgical and medical skills. Please send CV to palpodiatry@att.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - ULTRASOUND, CRYO-PAC, FLOUROSCAN

Ultrasound w/printer, Cryo-Pac w/two probes, Flouroscan w/printer. There may be other surgical equipment as well. Please contact Jolene as young_jolene@yahoo.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

SUB LEASING TIME on MRI (NYC)

.31 tesla extremity MRI in state-of-the-art midtown Manhattan office location. Lease time on magnet in compliance with the Stark laws. This magnet is the only one that will be accepted by Medicare and all other insurance as of 2012. Why not bill out for your own MRI's??? Email today dri@myfcny.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CLASS FOUR LASER

I have a class four pain laser for sale. Used for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuroma, arthritic conditions and even fungus toe nails This laser is portable, re-chargable and can be move from room to room or office to office. This isn't the cold laser that you see. It is a 10 watt laser. We have used this laser on NFL sports players. For those that understand a good laser. E-mail David Zuckerman, DPM for Details and pricing. footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NORTH DALLAS, TX

Great opportunity; 26 year old solo practice, reasonably priced. General practice consisting of hospital surgery, office surgery, orthotics, children, adults, geriatrics. Turn-key office located in medical building inside Loop 635. Will consider owner finance with down-payment.dallasfootdr@yahoo.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,000 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 12,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $109 for a 50-word ad THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

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