The Voice of Podiatrists

October 24, 2006 #2,722 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Podiatrists Open MI’s First Virtual Shoe Store

DR. W. STEVEN WATSON can help you deal with sports injuries of the foot or ankle, or heel pain. If he recommends an orthotic, he will guarantee that it will help your problem. He can assist you with neuropathy of the foot due to diabetes. And before you leave his office, Watson can even help you buy a pair of shoes. The owner of Canton Foot Specialists has just opened Michigan's first virtual shoe store. Not only will he ensure you are properly fitted, even if your foot is 4 extra wide, he'll find the best price for you, too.

Drs. Theodore Bens (L) and Steven Watson (Not pictured is Dr. James Duncan)

We go online and we find the best deal for the senior citizen," he said. While looking for close-out sales, "we get a shoe that fits. We custom fit it when it comes in." The idea for the virtual shoe store came about because many seniors are on a limited income with restricted mobility and are not computer savvy. "It's a real help to them," Watson said.

Source: Nancy Deutsch, The Observer and Eccentric Newspapers [10/22/06]

PA Podiatrist Joins BioElectronics Corp.

BioElectronics Corporation, has announced that Dr. Sheryl Goldstein, DPM, has joined the Company's management as a Sales and Clinical Educator. Dr. Goldstein earned her doctorate degree at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, and is completing a Masters in Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Sheryl Goldstein

Dr. Goldstein is both a published researcher and an accomplished educator, having held positions at both Holy Family University and the Thomas Jefferson University.

"Dr. Goldstein's experience as both a doctor and an educator provides her with a unique opportunity to educate her podiatric colleagues on the use of our therapy in podiatry," said Andrew Whelan, President and CEO of BioElectronics Corporation.

Source: BioElectronics Corp

Proposed Rules Would End Loopholes in Referrals for Medical Tests

CMS is considering tightening rules that allow physician groups to bill Medicare for referrals for medical tests and scans performed in their own offices or by third-parties under contract with their groups, the Wall Street Journal reports. The agency has expressed concern that the rules allow doctors to inappropriately profit from the practice.

The rules affect a practice called "self-referral," in which a physician has a financial interest in ordering certain tests for patients. The new rules would prohibit providers from billing Medicare at a higher rate for medical tests and scans -- such as MRIs, CT scans, and skin biopsies -- than it costs the provider to conduct the test or what the provider pays another party to perform the test.

Current Medicare rules prohibit providers from making referrals to scanning centers and labs in which they have a financial interest, but under a provision called the "in-office ancillary services" exception, physicians in group practices are allowed to refer patients for tests performed in the group's offices or in a separate facility that is leased by the group for the purpose of performing tests.

According to the Journal, in some cases the separate facilities are established and operated by a separate company rather than the practice itself. Acting CMS Administrator Leslie Norwalk said some providers are exploiting the in-office exception by profiting from the difference between the amount the group pays for conducting the tests and the higher rate it bills Medicare.

Source: Wall Street Journal Via American Health Line [10/23/06]

Query: Hemochromatosis

What are the podiatric complications of hemochromatosis I should watch for in the affected patient?

Larry Aronberg, DPM, Lake Worth, FL

RE: Surgery for Hallux Hammertoe (Bruce Kornfeld, DPM)
From: Daniel Tellem, DPM, Jeffrey Kass, DPM

I recently had an older (> than 80 years old) patient with a severe hallux hammertoe. She found it difficult to wear shoes and was having a lot of pain. Her bone seemed osteoporotic on X-Ray; I did not want to mess around with a fusion; did not think she would be able to support a screw and did not want to mess around with percutaneous
wires. I performed a hallux arthroplasty; patient had great results. She was pain free and I did not have to wait for the fusion.

Daniel Tellem, DPM, Rochester, NY, liadant@frontiernet.net

As a resident, I scrubbed in on a hallux hammer toe case. The surgeon performed an arthroplasty. I was a bit surprised as I had expected a fusion. I saw the patient in follow up and the patient was happy with no complaints. I don't recall the exact age of the patient but she was a senior whose activity consisted of walking. The doctor claimed to have done a few of them and they worked out well for him.

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

RE: Problem With Candida Skin Antigen (Sylvia Trotter, DPM)
From: Simon Young, DPM

You must contact manufacturer(usually on the label) and talk to a customer service rep for doctor queries and initiate an incident report. They take this very seriously. If they don't, contact your local health dep't of possibly FDA. Wouldn't be a bad idea to contact your malpractice ins. carrier and put them on notice esp. if you have a claims made policy. They will probably request a copy of the chart(s) and they might also recommend how to contact the proper regulatory agency. Immediately stop these injections until this issue is resolved. There are so many other verrucae treatment regimens available.

Simon Young, DPM, New York, Simonyoung@juno.com

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WANTED

MinXray P-200 Exposure Hand Switch with Timer Control (circa 1977). jim.fractal@gmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – FLORIDA

Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice for sale. This one has everything. Surgery, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Trauma, ER, General Podiatry. Participates in all local and national managed care plans. $850,000 but will discount depending on amount up front. Mature, serious inquires with business experience preferred. email response to podfootdocs@aol.com

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY- CHICAGO / NORTHWEST INDIANA

Chicago-Home Physicians specializes in house calls to the elderly homebound. Full and part-time positions available in Chicago/Northwest IN. Competitive Compensation, including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800. Fax-773-486-3548. E-mail sschneider@homephysicians.com www.homephysicians.com

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established podiatry practice in Mt. Airy, North Carolina that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to come on board to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away in January 2006, leaving approximately 3,500 patients without a podiatrist to care for them. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in an extremely busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BRONX, NY

Podiatrist wanted two days a week(with full-time growth potential). One day working in a busy Bronx office, one day making house calls. Base salary + incentives. Golden opportunity for a podiatrist to join up with a very ethical, hard-working and successful DPM. Please email CV to: Scottdeis@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – ARIZONA

Excellent opportunity for an experienced looking for a change or young podiatrist looking to jump start their practice. Podiatry practice is well established over 25 years, successful and a large volume in the Phoenix metro area. A current AZ License preferred as the position is available immediately. The right person will join as a salary associate leading to partial ownership in the group practice. Position available immediately. Email CV and inquiries to:scfcs@cox.net

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