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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 16,031 Podiatrists Daily
October 01, 2014 #5,178  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2014- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL |
Quick Poll
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Do you think that antibiotic use is...? |
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| HOSPITAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
WI Podiatrist is Member of New Wound Care Center
More than eight million people in the United States suffer from chronic wounds that are difficult to heal due to diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, aging, and the late effects of radiation therapy. The opening of Agnesian Wound Care services will bring the community state-of-the-art treatment and practices to treat these chronic wounds.
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Dr. Jonathan Stroebel |
"Likely candidates for treatment at Agnesian Wound Care are those experiencing diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, radiation side-effects, and other wounds that have not healed within 30 days," says Jonathan Stroebel, DPM, a podiatrist (ankle and foot physician) and member of the Agnesian Wound Care team.
Source: Fond du Lac Reporter, [9/28/14]
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| PODIATRISTS AND POLITICS | |
OH Podiatrist Taking Nothing for Granted in Congressional Race
The race between Republican Dr. Brad Wenstrup and Democrat Marek Tyszkiewicz isn’t on the national radar as a competitive contest – and it’s perhaps no wonder. Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, which sweeps west from Cincinnati to Portsmouth, tilts strongly in favor of the GOP. And Wenstrup is an incumbent who had three times as much campaign cash in the bank as Tyszkiewicz at the end of June.
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Dr. Brad Wenstrup |
While Wenstrup hasn’t been paying too much attention to his Democratic foe, he said he has been paying attention to his constituents. As he campaigns for a second term, he said he has been talking to voters about a gamut of issues -- from his support for countering the threat posed by the militant Islamic group known as ISIS to his efforts to fix problems with the Veterans Affairs’ healthcare system. “I’m just going to continue with the message I’ve been carrying out and being who I am,” he said. “I wasn’t supposed to win my primary two years ago, so I take nothing for granted.”
Source: Deirdre Shesgreen, Cincinnati.com [9/29/14
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| INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS AND FOOTWEAR | |
UK Podiatrist Attends International Exhibition in Abu Dhabi
People have foot problems the world over, but these differ quite distinctly from country to country – and Sara Boardman, principal podiatrist at PodoFit in St. Andrews, got to see this for herself when she travelled to Abu Dhabi for an international exhibition attended by 120,000 pairs of feet! Sara was invited by Al Mandoos, a respected producer of traditional, hand-made Emirati footwear, which was launching its range of custom-fit sandals, with footbeds conforming exactly to the wearer’s feet, ensuring the best support and control when standing and walking.
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Sara Boardman meets His Highness Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, of the Ruling Family of Abu Dhabi, at the international exhibition. |
Sara said: “It was interesting to discover that over 95 per cent of the people who came to see us presented with flat feet. This seems to be due to inherent foot type, which is exacerbated by wearing sandals from a young age. Common symptoms included plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, knee pain, and back pain. Custom-fitted sandals which provide arch support can help to prevent these conditions.
Source: Kevin McRoberts, Fife Today [9/29/14]
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| SUNSHINE ACTS NEWS | |
New Physicians' Group Encourages Doctors to Disclose Financial Relationships
300 doctors and clinicians are members of “Who's My Doctor?,” a new national group that encourages physicians to not only disclose to patients their financial relationships with medical manufacturers, but also report other details about their professional finances, such as whether they receive fee-for-service payments that could motivate them to perform more services. The Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires disclosure of all transfers of value, including gifts, consulting and speaking fees, and meals worth more than $10. The first round will cover payments from August 2013 to December 2013. The CMS, which has faced pressure from provider groups to delay the website, initially will withhold about one-third of the data over accuracy concerns.
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Dr. Leana Wen |
Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency room physician who last year founded the “Who's My Doctor?” group, said physicians should be proactive about discussing what payments they received with their patients. Sending a letter to patients or posting an explanation in the waiting room are ways that physicians can do this. “This will begin the dialogue between patients and doctors about financial disclosure,” she said.
Jaimy Lee, Modern Healthcare [9/27/14]
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| QUERIES (NON-CLINICAL) | |
Query: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Podiatrists
I've been experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and I'm curious to know if any of my colleagues have had this problem. I'm assuming the repetitive motions, especially using a nail nipper, is the cause. Can anyone provide advice based on dealing with this based on past experience?
Alan Meyerberg, DPM, Staten Island, NY
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| CODINGLINE CORNER | |
Query: Billing Ulcer Debridement with Follow-Up Hospital Care
My doctor has had to hospitalize a couple of our patients due to severe ulcers. He takes them to the operating room for debridement, usually billing CPT 11043 or CPT 11044. He then bills for subsequent hospital visits, CPT 99232 or CPT 99233, when following up and inspecting the ulcers over the next few days. Per the APMA Coding Resource Center, both CPT 11043 and CPT 11044 have no global periods assigned, but we are getting denials both from Medicare and Blue Cross on our hospital visits, stating the patient is in the global period. I am assuming we are billing something incorrectly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Billing Office of Thomas Fitzgerald, DPM, Rohnert Park, CA
Response: You are correct -- there is no global period for any of the surgical debridement codes, CPT 11042, CPT 11043, CPT 11044. The doctor performs CPT 11044 in the hospital a lot and also bills CPT 99232 or CPT 99233 the day before or the day after. We are not having any issues with our Medicare carrier or Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) contractors. You might want to call your Medicare carrier or BCBS and find out what specifically they are denying the claim against.
Jennifer -- Billing Specialist, Mid-South Foot & Ankle Specialists, Cordova, TN
Codingline subscription information can be found here
APMA Members: Click here for your free Codingline Silver subscription
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (EMR) NEWS STORIES | |
From: Name Withheld
In reading the article of how this podiatrist is saving on Obamacare, tell me if I am wrong, but my calculation tells me otherwise: Before Obamacare: Premiums $700 a month equals $8,400 a year with no deductible mentioned. Under Obamacare, she is paying $340 a month or $4,080 a year, but she has a $5,000 deductible. This computes to being $9,080 a year. How is this saving? I calculate her paying $680.00 more a year.
This same principle was applied when I chose not to do EMR. The government paid podiatrists up to $44,000. Podiatrists paid between $20,000 and $30,000 for software; plus, adding new staff personal for running the system. Then add the extra payroll, and taxes, then the new computers, and all the hours spent in training for the EMR system. Did I mention the potential audits? But many signed up fearing the 1% penalty that would happen to us if we chose not to enroll.
If I make $100,000 a year off Medicare patients, my penalty is $1,000 a year. If I plan on staying in practice another 20 years, I still would make more than going with EMR. They can't take back the $44,000 if they never gave it to you in the first place. I choose to keep my office overhead low, reduce taxes on payroll, and rather than spend those countless hours at the office doing paperwork (or I should say computer work), spend it with my family.
Name Withheld
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 1
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoes of the Day
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| These shoes are for the birds |
Source: Obehi Okoawo
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 2
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| CLASSIFIED ADS |
FELLOWSHIP POSITION - NAPLES, FL
Reconstructive Ankle /Rearfoot, Ex Fix, arthroscopy fellowship. Must have 3 years residency + Board Qualified RRA by ABPS. 1 year spot. FL license. LOI and LOR from director required. $50,000 stipend. Start 1/2015 or 8/2015. mny1029@gmail.com
SPACE TO SHARE - MANHATTAN AND LI
Desirable locations on Upper East Side, Gramercy, the Financial District, and Plainview (North Shore Long Island). Extremity MRI and cat scan available in selected offices. Call 516 476-1815PODO2345@AOL.COM
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Very busy, two location group practice seeking a full-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate. Competitive salary offered. Please email CV to: podiatrists@icloud.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW JERSEY
Busy practice seeking a Full or part-time associate available. Must be board qualified or certified by ABFAS. Must be self-motivated, Office is state of art with EHR, digital x-ray, ultrasound. Salary with bonus and benefits. Email resume with cover letter: njfootdr722@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - MICHIGAN
Professional Foot & Ankle Centers of Davison and Lapeer is seeking personable and self-motivated associate(s) looking to build a career and long-term relationship/partnership. Must have PM&S 36 or equivalent training with a good work ethic and strong surgical skills. ER call and affiliation with a major wound care center is available. Modern offices with EMR and a fantastic staff. Competitive salary, bonus, benefits. E-mail CV with cover letter to: contactus@professionalfoot.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - BANGOR, MAINE
Seeking personable, well rounded individual to join our well established, modern three doctor practice performing all aspects of foot and ankle care. Digital x-ray, EHR, DME, etc. Competitive salary with bonus structure and benefits. Early partnership opportunity for the right person. Send letter of interest and CV to:Mainoffice@acadiafootandankle.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Available immediately in a busy high visibility office with digital x-ray and over 3 years experience in Traknet EMR. Potential for partnership or purchase. Contact samuel10530@yahoo.com
ASC STAFF PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE - NEW JERSEY
Fair Lawn ASC (ambulatory surgical center) is accepting applications for staff privileges. NJ license needed. Patient transportation available in the tri state area. Equity buy-in available. Call 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM
PRACTICE FOR SALE - LONG ISLAND
30+ year old practice located on a busy street. Referrals from Doctors, Senior residence and Hospital in the community. Neighborhood is very family oriented. Good mix of general podiatry, sports injuries, DME; seniors, working population and children. Please contact: nspfeet@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - BROOKLYN / QUEENS, NY
30 year old general podiatric practices in Brooklyn and Queens with good mix of biomechanics, RFC,, sports medicine, surgery and DME. Both locations are in multi-cultural upper middle/working class neighborhoods with good mix of payers and self-pay. Fully computerized using ICS (SAMMY). Primary care and specialty physicians at both locations are constant source of referral of new patients, including student athletes from NYC public schools. Owner semi-retiring to pursue other interests. Willing to stay on during transition. Serious inquires only: brooklynpodiatrist@hotmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT
60 miles to Manhattan, 15 miles to Westchester county. Busy solo practice, grossing 250k on 2.5 days a week. Extremely low overhead. Beautiful office building with EMR. Practice shares space and staff with 6 MDs. Amazing referral base and growth potential. All surgery is currently referred out. Serious inquiries only contact: Samalsal@yahoo.com
PM News Classified Ads Reach over 16,000 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 16,000 DPMs. for details, click here or write to:bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451
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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.
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