The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

October 01, 2011 #4,268 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Toning Flip-Flops Can Exacerbate Foot Problems: IL Podiatrist

Stability used to be a good thing in a shoe. But the current "fitness" footwear craze takes the opposite approach: By subtly throwing your body off balance, these shoes supposedly help you lose weight and sculpt muscles. The secret is the shoe's unstable sole. To keep your footing, your body supposedly recruits and strengthens smaller, little-used muscles around the ankle joint. Shoe companies say the increase in muscle activity can lead to more calories burned, improved posture, and toned leg muscles. 

Dr. Megan Leahy

The middle of the Fitflop Walkstar sandal, for example, contains what the company calls "muscle-loading microwobbleboard midsole technology" to engage your muscles for a longer period as you walk. But there's no rigorous evidence showing they tone any better than other shoes or sandals. Podiatrist Megan Leahy warns that "all flip-flops can exacerbate foot problems due to contractures of foot and toe muscles during gait in a subconscious attempt to keep the shoe on."

Source: Julie Deardorff, Chicago Tribune [9/28/11]

Barry University and Stryker Orthopaedics Team up for Clinical Training

More than 50 podiatry students from Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine practiced delicate incisions and surgical preparations thanks to Stryker Orthopaedics of South Florida. Students received hands-on training using specimens of pig feet, as well as cutting-edge clinical instruction on gowning, gloving, creating a sterile surgical environment, and demonstrations of Stryker power instruments. 

Barry Students receive hands-on training using specimens of pig feet.

This first clinical lab held at the Stryker South Florida Learning Center provided students from Barry’s Podiatric Medicine class of 2013 with a distinct clinical experience. Two additional labs on hammertoe surgery and bunion surgery are scheduled at the Stryker South Florida Learning Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, amounting to almost $50,000 in donated services. Dr. Jacqueline Brill, assistant professor of surgery and Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, dean and professor of Podiatric Medicine and surgery also assisted students with training.

MI Podiatrist Competes in Local Dancing With the Stars Charity Event

The SwingShift & The Stars charity dance-off is this year's big event. Dr. Jeff Szczepanski and Lisa Brown sat down with Melissa Smith to talk about their first dance competition and what they're planning for their next dancing event. 

Dr. Jeff Szczepanski and Lisa Brown

The duo is dancing for the Ryan Dobry Diabetes Charity. Dr. Szczepanski is a local podiatrist and is currently the Section Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Munson Medical Center. His dancing instructor, Lisa Brown, has been dancing and competing professionally since the early 1990s.

Source: Melissa Smith, UpNorthLive.com [9/28/11]

OH Court Rules That Podiatrists Need ABPS Certification for Staff Privileges

An Ohio appeals court has affirmed the decision of the trial court that a hospital can deny staff privileges to a podiatrist who is not board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS). On December 21, 2005, Grady Memorial Hospital granted Dr. James Blaine clinical privileges, which he exercised until June 30, 2007.  The hospital's bylaws stipulate that each practitioner must achieve board certification by a "recognized certification board" within five years of residency completion. Dr. Blaine failed the written portion of the ABPS multiple times, but passed an alternative board exam not included in the list of "recognized boards."  

Blaine sued the hospital stating that the bylaws did not require certification  through ABPS, and that any such requirement would violate the hospital's non-discrimination policy. The appeals court upheld the lower court's decision that the hospital was within its rights to deny privileges to podiatrists who did not achieve ABPS certification within the prescribed period of time.  

Source: James E. Blaine, D.P.M. v. OhioHealth Corporation, et al.

The EHR Features Doctors Hate Most

When speaking with doctors about their EHRs, a few common themes emerge in terms of features they find frustrating or problematic:

•   More hours per week to enter all the data required for meaningful use
•   Interfaces often don't exist or don't work with each other (e.g., between the office and hospital or lab)
•   Dual workflow is required for e-prescribing controlled substances
•   EHRs are not as intuitively user-friendly as other computer products
•   Too slow, too many clicks required to document visits
•   Need to create custom templates

Source: Kenneth J. Terry, Medscape.com via  Dr. Chris Albritton

Obama Asks Supreme Court to Rule on Individual Mandate

The long and far-flung legal contest over healthcare reform and its requirement for individuals to obtain insurance coverage or pay a penalty is quickly moving to its World Series — the U.S. Supreme Court —but not this fall. Today, the Obama administration asked the nation's highest court to rule on the constitutionality of the individual mandate, the cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

While some U.S. district and appellate courts have affirmed the requirement as a proper cure for cost-shifting caused by the uninsured, other courts have struck it down as exceeding the regulatory powers granted Congress by the Constitution's Commerce clause. In short, those courts have declared that the government cannot compel an individual to buy a product or service.

Source: Robert Lowes, Medscape News [9/28/11]

Grant Dignity

Employees will respond favorably to criticism if you allow them to save face. Consider the possibility that they did not recognize that there was a problem, and you won’t trigger their defensiveness.

Show them that you realize that people make mistakes but it shouldn’t happen again. Say, “You may not have been aware that …” Offer further understanding by admitting if you have made the same mistake. “I used to do that too, until I realized that … Now I handle those situations this way …”

Source: Adapted from “How to Give Harsh Criticism the Right Way,” Mike Michalowicz, OPEN Forum via Communication Briefings

Query: Medicare Foot Orthotic Billing

What do you do when a patient has Medicare as the primary insurance and AARP (or another supplemental insurance company) as their secondary coverage? The patient insists that their secondary insurance company (e.g., AARP) covers custom orthotics (L3000). Has anyone encountered this?

Do you still bill Medicare so that they reject it, and then the claim can be pushed to the secondary insurance? If so, is there a specific modifier that you need to attach to the L3000?

Mark Gasparini, DPM, Massapequa, NY

Response: Bill L3000 to Medicare, but append it with the "GY" modifier. The "GY" modifier indicates that the service is statutorily not covered. The denial will read "not a covered service" versus "not medically necessary" which is an important distinction.

The secondary carrier will then follow its coverage guidelines for a service that is not covered by Medicare. If it is deemed not medically necessary by Medicare, then it is doubtful that a secondary carrier would pick it up either.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

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RE: Is Podiatry Turning Away from Biomechanics?
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM

I was a little disappointed reading Jason Kraus' article titled "Is Podiatry Turning Away from Biomechanics?" in the Sept 2011 Podiatry Management. In the article, Mr. Kraus suggests that students are not being effectively taught biomechanics. He states "residency directors generally agree that the biomechanical skills of residents entering their programs have diminished in recent years and that the ability or desire to enhance these diminished skills are limited."

What in the world is he talking about? This sounds like a direct insult to all orthopedics and biomechanics staff at the podiatry colleges. I had the fortune of being taught by the likes of Drs. Volpe, Falcone, Glockenberg, Levitz, Cohen-Sobel,  Caselli, Wernick, and Connors. Forgive me if I left anyone out. They did an excellent job of giving me the foundation to increase and expand my scope of biomechanical knowledge.

I don't know who is currently teaching at NYCPM, but I have no doubt the students are receiving the same, if not a better, education.

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY jeffckass@aol.com

RE: Compromised NPI Number (Name Withheld)
From: Michael L. Brody, DPM

The NPPES system is an open system. Anybody can go to the website, type in a doctor's name and other information, and view the doctor's NPI number. The NPI is not a tax ID, and eventually it is intended to be the method by which doctors, patients, health insurance plans, and other stakeholders can communicate with doctors.

I do not understand why Name Withheld is bothered by having his NPI  number known. It presents no more risk than having your office phone number and address known.

Michael L. Brody, DPM, Commack, NY, mbrody@tldsystems.com

RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day

Here's a shoe for the truly confused.

Designed by Kobi Levi

Source: Submitted by Dr. Philip J. Shapiro

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MOUNT KISCO, NEW YORK

Great opportunity in well-established, turn-key practice (or buy in option available) near Northern Westchester Hospital. Updated office includes four treatment rooms, two private doctor's suites, large waiting room with option to buy co-op. Excellent opportunity for growth. Contactbbrick2@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTHERN OH

Busy, well-established, full-time home visit practice. 100% referral-based. Wound care, pain management, routine care & DME’s. Excellent income, low overhead. Great opportunity for husband/wife business team. DPM relocating out-of-state for family. Contact:nanetter@zoomtown.com

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NASSAU COUNTY, NY

Podiatrist needed in Nassau county to start immediately. Flexible hours 2 days a week. Please email pittpod@gmail.com with inquiries.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FLORIDA/N.W. FLORIDA- TALLAHASSEE AREA

Home of Florida State University. Great university town! Well established full scope solo physician with busy practice. Looking for a full time associate leading to partnership in a short time. Great general practice with 2 locations. Staff privileges with 2 local hospitals and 2 surgery centers. Offering competitive salary, health insurance. Will need forefoot and rearfoot surgical competency. Friendly office with fun staff that’s easy to work with. Call/Text – 850-510-4371.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND/WASHINGTON, DC
     
Well-established busy group practice is expanding and seeking a minimum PSR 24 trained podiatrist. Progressive practice with 2 office-based ASC's and hospital privileges. Opportunity toward partnership. Fax resume to 301-926-7787 or email mlmltm@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- NASSAU COUNTY, NY

Experienced, preferably board certified podiatrist, wanted for diversified growing practice located in Nassau County, New York. Energetic DPM. Please send CV to jobke@aol.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 - TEXAS (HOUSTON AREA)  

Become a “SUCCESS”! Multi-professional podiatric practice seeks personable, talented, enthusiastic physicians with expertise in any of these areas: 1. Biomechanics 2. Geriatrics  3. Pediatrics 4. Trauma. Send CV and letter of intent to: sierrajip@gmail.com 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTH CENTRAL NJ

Well established busy solo physician seeking a well trained podiatrist (PMS 36) to join our growing practice. Bilingual English Spanish a big +. Competitive salary/benefits package. Send CV to fax 732-520-6468 or send to fjr20032003@yahoo.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – IOWA CITY AREA

Immediate position for busy surgery practice looking for BQ/BC by ABPS in RRA candidate for associate position. Bilingual a plus. Must be comfortable in complex reconstructive ankle and hindfoot cases. Ankle replacement certification a plus but not necessary. email CV and samples of RRA cases done recently to: susmitad86@yahoo.com

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA

Seeking associate physician to join practice to cover nursing home facilities. Comprehensive package including Salary, Travel and Bonus benefits. Email cover letter and CV tomelissafoot@pol.net.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OH

Join a Well-established modern practice in Dayton, Ohio. Excellent reputation and referral base. Base salary $120,000, benefits and bonus structure. EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, CO2 lasers, all aspects of DME. We seek a surgeon that is well-trained and personable to join our group of 4 podiatric surgeons. Would like to have this individual buy in to the practice eventually. Please send CV and current photo to Ohiodoctors@aol.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 MedicalRecords. MRI, and Private Operating Room. Please E-mail CV to sjohnson@parkavemed.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 - 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

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

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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