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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 18,488 Subscribers Daily
October 22, 2018 #6,291  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2018- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL RESULTS |
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Results of last week's poll |
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL |
Quick Poll
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Do you use Dragon (or similar) voice dictation?
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
NY Podiatrist Discusses How to Cut Toenails Properly
Your feet are the most used—and abused—body part. Yet while you probably spend a good ten minutes taking care of your face every morning and night, chances are your feet are lucky to get a pedicure once a month. Trust podiatrists when they warn you that should something go wrong with your tootsies, your entire way of life will suffer.
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Dr. Rebecca Pruthi |
Rebecca Pruthi, DPM, a podiatric physician and surgeon at Foot Care of Manhattan says, “Cutting nails too short or rounded can result in ingrown nails,” The nail starts to grow into the skin, which causes discomfort; shoes can often irritate the situation even more by rubbing or squeezing the feet together. Dr. Pruthi says to make sure that nails are cut straight across to avoid the development of any ingrown nails.
Source: Colleen Travers, Reader's Digest [10/18/18]
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| OUTSIDE INTERESTS | |
NJ Podiatrist is Star Wars Super Fan
Robin Bocra, DPM is a podiatrist, vintage Star Wars collector, and science fiction fanatic! "The one piece of collecting advice I would give myself, if I could go back in time, would be to buy everything “sealed”. I used to buy mostly mint items with the seal open, so I could look at it and then put it back after I admired the toy. Now I find that I am paying a premium to buy one that is 100% sealed or perhaps sealed and graded. That’s a tough and expensive thing. So that’s what I would do!"
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Dr. Robin Bocra |
When asked about her favorite Star Wars film and character, Dr. Bocra said, "I would say The Empire Strikes Back is my favorite film and Luke Skywalker is my favorite character. It really is about Luke’s journey through the whole series, and he’s the hero that we look to throughout the films. His power and influence were strong enough to return Darth Vader to the light side of the Force and return balance once again. So, Luke is awesome to me."
Source: theforce.net [10/19/18]
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| MEETING NEWS | |
APWH Holds 2018 National Conference in Philadelphia
The Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing (APWH) 2018 Conference provided a full scientific agenda and after a two-year hiatus was back with its most successful conference to date. Registrants universally praised the scientific program as “one of the best I’ve attended in years.” The lecture room was packed with standing room only for a number of lectures and the limited numbers of exhibit tables were all taken.
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Dr. Steven Kravitz (R) presents Physician of the Year award to Dr. Allen Jacobs |
Highlights included Dr. Allen Jacobs receiving the physician of the year award and his keynote address. He discussed his perspective on current state-of-the-art of wound care and the future for podiatrists and wound care practitioners. Attending were other world opinion leader speakers and topics. The meeting was held in Philadelphia and provided an active social program to match including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, full service breaks, and a reception every evening.
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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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| PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY | |
Front Office Billing Tips - Part 2
If you want your billing and collections to be as smooth and effective as possible, you need to make sure everybody on your team is doing their part.
1. Mail paperwork to new patients ahead of their appointment. For patients who are new to the practice, send a welcome packet by mail or email with all the paperwork they need to complete. This will save time the day of the visit and will also give patients more time to ensure they get the details right. Be sure to include a copy of your office’s payment policy. Remind patients to bring the completed paperwork along with their insurance card and co-pay as well as detail the accepted forms of payment. For self-pay patients, let them know the minimum payment you expect at the time of the visit, and be sure to point out that it might be more, depending on the services rendered.
Source: Avery Hurt, Physicians Practice [10/15/18]
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| CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: How About Down-coding?
Has anyone noticed that some insurance companies reimburse more for CPT code 28292 than 28296 Medicare and 28297 Cigna? I know it’s not appropriate to up-code, but is it inappropriate to down-code, regarding technical, surgical difficulty?
PM News Subscriber
Response: Any attempt to manipulate coding simply to achieve a higher reimbursement could be deemed abusive billing.
Bottom line, bill for what you do. The fee schedule is the fee schedule that you agreed to when you signed the contract with that insurance carrier. All codes are periodically reviewed and may be reimbursed at a higher or lower rate based upon RVU units assigned to that code. The bunion osteotomy codes were reviewed several years ago, and unfortunately, the RVU units were reduced. When CPT 28292 is reviewed, there may be a change there as well.
Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA
For information on Codingline subscriptions, click here
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) | |
RE: Requests to Trim Fingernails
From: Janet McCormick
I find the discussion about trimming fingernails interesting. The answer possibly should include the financial aspect of it. Does insurance/Medicare reimbursement cover it? Probably not. Are the minutes taken to do so (carefully) paying for your overhead in the space? Probably not. Are your patients willing to pay enough to allow that to happen? Probably not.
Suggestion: If you really want to offer that, hire a medical nail technician (MNT) who is trained to perform this AND the trimming of your patients' toenails. Then, the patient pays cash, and the non-insurance reimbursed income can be enough to pay the overhead (including the MNT) and even, if you charge appropriately, make a profit you will like. Additionally, the time NOT spent by you in trimming will allow you to perform higher level treatments which (may) more than cover your overhead and provide profit. Before y'all get into a discussion on the pros and cons of hiring MNTs, you might ask the many podiatrists who have hired an MNT(s) -- they are qualified to discuss this.
Janet McCormick, Frostproof, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Paul Busman DPM, RN
The story about tattoos reminded me of a funny story from my practice. I was examining a new patient, who was an older gentleman, when I noticed the tattoo on his arm. It was one of those old familiar images, of a Betty Grable-type pinup girl with long legs, bathing suit...you know the ones. I asked if he got it while he was in the Army and he replied, "Yes. Now I'm old and wrinkled and so is she."
Paul Busman DPM, RN, Frederick, MD
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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| How does this shoe "stack up"? (Photo: Hannah Cheney) |
Source: Sanne Steijger and Nienke van Dee via Virtual Shoe Museum
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MEETING NOTICES
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| CLASSIFIED ADS PART 1 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
PRACTICE FOR SALE - WESTERN WASHINGTON
30 year established practice in Auburn Washington. In medical office building connected to hospital. Practice scope includes clinic, hospital-based surgery, and hospital consultations. Forefoot, rearfoot, and ankle surgery. Will stay on three months during transition. Contact/send resume to Dgusman@hotmail.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 16,500 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 16,500 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 PART 2 -ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NY
Excellent opportunity to start your career in a fresh practice! Seeking an associate to join, grow, and become partner. Key attributes: Board Qualified/Certified, self-starter, willingness to build practice. Looking for a motivated individual to contribute to our growth through all aspects of podiatry. Please send CV to: docryanlee@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
Seeking a hard-working, board eligible/certified podiatric physician for our growth oriented practice. January 1, 2019 start date is preferred. This full-time position assumes coverage at well-established location. To learn more about us, visit www.ankleandfootcare.com. Please email your CV to Michael Vallas, Practice Administrator at mike@ankleandfootcare.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - TENNESSEE
Village Podiatry Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Extremity Healthcare, Inc. is growing and seeking board qualified/certified associates with a Tennessee license. Ideal candidates have 3-5 years’ experience and knowledge of coding/billing, and desire to excel while utilizing our practice owned ancillaries. Our successful model is built to enrich the physicians and their efforts. Serious inquiries only to Tony Brzezicki, Human Resources, at tbrzezicki@extremityhc.com. Starting salary will be based on experience and the value you bring to the practice. EHI also offers a competitive benefits package.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - WASHINGTON, DC
Growing, well-established practice seeking well-trained, hard-working surgical trained podiatrist. Practice with concentration in foot & ankle surgery as well as sports medicine. Excellent referral base. Downtown location. Full benefits package. Please send CV to WDCDPM@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA
Busy two physician practice in Upstate South Carolina seeking highly motivated, ethical associate. PSR-36 trained. High surgery case load. Competitive benefits & salary. Send CV to upstatescpodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA
Join a podiatric team whose work positively impacts the lives of seniors every day! KG Health Partners, the largest podiatric practice in Florida, is seeking full- and part-time podiatrists who will provide mobile-based foot, ankle, and lower leg care to residents living in long-term facilities throughout Florida. Achieve work-life balance with a Monday through Friday schedule, competitive wages, malpractice insurance, and exceptional benefits for full-time employees (health, paid time off, 401K retirement plan with company match). You must maintain active Medicare and Florida licenses. Email CV to kgadmin@kghealthpartners.com
POSITIONS AVAILABLE - UPSTATE AND WESTERN NEW YORK
Looking for podiatrists to see residents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in Upstate and Western New York. Great opportunity for part-time income. Positions available immediately! Send inquiries to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
POSITIONS AVAILABLE – KENTUCKY
Looking for podiatrists to see residents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in Kentucky. Great opportunity for part-time income. Positions available immediatly! Send inquiries to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – HOUSTON, TX
Established Houston practice seeking motivated, hard-working recent graduate for associate position in all aspects of podiatry. Long-term plan includes partnership. Send CV to dpm2docs@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Full-time and part-time associate positions available in busy state-of-the-art offices. Broad responsibilities including wound care, diabetic limb salvage, hospital rounding, etc. Offices in downtown Los Angeles, CA and Lancaster, CA. Must be available at least 2 days in Lancaster, CA. Please send CV and references in an email to PodiatryTeam@hotmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NASSAU COUNTY, NY
Exciting opportunity! Busy Nassau County, NY office seeks full-time podiatrist. State of the art facility. Complete EMR, digital radiograph and diagnostic ultrasound. Excellent salary and benefits. Must be board qualified. Please e-mail resume to: Medicalofficeinquiry@gmail.com, or call: 516-902-1073
ASSOCIATE DPM – NEW YORK AND/OR NEW JERSEY
NY-NJ Supergroup looking for highly trained DPMs. Full time and/or part time positions. Salary plus bonus, medical, 401k. Top producers ONLY or will train the right candidate. Send CV, salary requirements. dr.williamsdpm@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY
Our busy, multi-office practice is still growing and needs another doctor who understands the importance of creating an amazing patient experience as much as providing great medical care. You will be working with supportive doctors and staff who are committed to your success. Go to: www.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,500 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 18,500 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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| 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.
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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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