The Voice of Podiatrists

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November 07, 2008 #3,394 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NJ Podiatrist Elected Mayor of Passaic, NJ

Dr. Alex Blanco, a 36-year-old podiatrist and Board of Education member, has won a fierce five-man race to be the city's mayor for the next six months, finishing out the unexpired term of former Mayor Samuel Rivera, which ends June 30.

Dr. Alex Blanco

Voter turnout was roughly 63 percent, or about 16,000 voters of 25,543 total. But not all voters cast choices for local candidates. Results are unofficial.

Blanco, the youngest candidate, beat out Vincent Capuana, the city's longtime director of housing inspectors and Board of Education president; Councilman Joe Garcia, a landlord; real estate developer Jose Sandoval; and Carl Ellen, a bail bondsman and real estate agency owner.

Source: Karen Keller, The Record (NJ) [11/5/08]

Codingline to Join APMA Family of Expanding Member Benefits

APMA and Codingline have agreed in principle to the acquisition of Codingline by APMA. The addition of Codingline will solidify APMA's place as the premier source of coding and reimbursement information for podiatric physicians and surgeons. Although the terms have not yet been disclosed, APMA members will be offered several of Codingline's products and services, at no charge, thus expanding the benefits of APMA membership.

Dr. Harry Goldsmith

Harry Goldsmith, DPM, will continue in his role as administrator of APMA Codingline products. Codingline will continue to maintain its strategic relationships with both Podiatry Institute and PM News.

"We are confident that the new APMA Codingline will be an extraordinary added benefit to our members," said APMA President Ross Taubman, DPM.

Source: APMA eDaily News

PA Podiatrist Spurs Horticultural Gift From Tokyo

When the Garden for the Blind and Children in Lower Merion sank into disrepair, the Rotary Club of Ardmore, PA didn't expect a gift from a benefactor 6,700 miles away. The Rotary Club of Tokyo sent enough money last month to buy 24 cherry trees, including 12 for the garden, in a gesture of horticultural diplomacy.

Dr. Douglas Klepfer

In 1977, when the Tokyo Rotary heard about the garden project, it donated money to buy 25 trees - a thank-you for the dogwoods. In 2004, the Ardmore Rotary sent more than 200 trees – to Japan as a gesture of good will. Tokyo's gift for the renovation continued the relationship.

"I let the Tokyo Rotary know that we were doing this, and I asked them for ideas because the trees they sent are the backdrop," said Douglas Klepfer, a podiatrist and a former Ardmore Rotary president. "I didn't ask for any money, but, surprise, surprise, they sent us $10,000."

Source: Kristin E. Holmes, Philadelphia Inquirer [11/5/08]

S. William Sigler Named Executive Vice President of NYCPM

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) has named S. William (“Bill”) Sigler to the newly-created position of Executive Vice President of the College. Prior to his appointment at the College, Mr. Sigler served on the NYCPM Board of Trustees for more than four years as Treasurer of the Board. In that capacity, he helped guide the College’s strategic planning initiative, and oversaw many of the very positive changes that have recently taken place at NYCPM. He has also had a hand in developing plans for the College’s upcoming centennial celebration.

S. William Sigler

Mr. Sigler is a business executive and entrepreneur with a successful record of identifying business opportunities, establishing profit centers and generating revenues, both as a manager and as a consultant. He was until recently Chief Operating Officer of DigitalPhoneUSA, headquartered in Stamford, CT, which he founded in 1989 and which became one of the first indirect channel partners for AT&T, Lucent and, most recently, Avaya Communications.

Query: CPT 28725 With Implant

Does CPT 28725 (arthrodesis; subtalar) really include a subtalar implant, or should the subtalar implant procedure be coded S2117 (arthroereisis, subtalar)?

Are any insurance companies paying for a subtalar arthroereisis procedure? We are getting notices that the implant procedure is experimental and non-covered.

Dee Frender, Tacoma, WA

Response: CPT 28725 is for a fusion of the subtalar joint. A subtalar arthroereisis is not a fusion procedure. Billing an arthroereisis procedure for an arthrodesis procedure is misrepresenting the billing. The S2117 code is a temporary national code specific for a subtalar arthroereisis procedure which, for the most part, is not recognized or payable.

You should bill CPT 29799 for the subtalar implant procedure.

You are correct that many insurance companies deem this procedure investigational/experimental. You should always pre-authorize this procedure prior to scheduling the surgery to be fair to the patient. Be very clear in what you are asking reimbursement authorization for when contacting the insurance company so that there are no misunderstandings later - but don't be surprised if you are denied pre-authorization.

Tony Poggio, DPM, Alameda, CA

Codingline subscription information can be found here

RE: Draining S/P Excision of Cyst (Tom Silver, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

An MRI is an appropriate test for the cyst before surgery and it is appropriate to evaluate this post-op problem for the same reasons. I would certainly consider this before another surgery.

As far as the pathology report from the initial surgery is concerned, without complete clinical data it seems pathologists will interchange certain diagnoses such as bursa and ganglion. Often times, they will just describe a cyst and shy away from a diagnosis, which drives me up the wall. Of the rheumatoid nodules that I have removed and sent to pathology, even when the clinical data included that the patient has RA, I have never had the path. report come back with the words "rheumatoid nodule" on the page.

Marc S. Greenberg, DPM, Dayton, OH, tripperdpm@yahoo.com

I have had the same deflating experience of the "never ending cyst." The key point in your story is that it was classified by pathology as a bursal sac/synovial cyst and not a ganglionic cyst. What occurred in my case was that the cyst emanated from the joint, and subsequent exploration to the joint revealed the original stalk of the cyst.

R.D.Teitelbaum, DPM, Naples, FL, mfvandange@aol.com

I would advise Dr. Silver to give this patient time to heal. Do not tamper with normal healing as this will run its course.

Stanton C. Southward, DPM, Colorado Springs, CO, sbsouthie@comcast.net

RE: 2009 HCPCS Code Set
From: Paul Kesselman, DPM

CMS in its attempts to keep us on our toes, has issued its annual HCPCS Code Set Update. The 2009 update will have its most significant effect particularly on podiatrists who provide advanced tissue-engineered products. Effective January 1, 2009. All the current “J” codes for tissue-engineered products will be replaced by a new set of “Q” codes.

Unfortunately, this news, released 11/03/08, has come far too late to appear in the annual update on tissue-engineered products published in the Nov/December issue of Podiatry Management.

The January issue will contain a full cross-walked chart for all the tissue-engineered products contained in the Nov/Dec article on tissue engineered products. An early rendition of the chart appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/pmarticle.cfm?id=121

This information does not update or change any current local Medicare LCD coverage policy on the actual application (CPT) or reimbursement for any specific product. That information is available on your local Medicare carrier’s website.

Paul Kesselman DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

PRACTICE / BUILDING FOR SALE - CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Practice and office building for sale. Full-time very busy practice with well built stand-alone office building. Podiatrist wishes to retire. High patient volume. No need for second office. Midsize town with University and Industry. Call 217-778-4465 for more details.

EQUIPMENT FOR RENT - EXTREMITY MRI

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to d-kitchens@footexperts.com

POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA/DC SUBURB

Excellent associate practice opportunity leading to partnership for PSR 24-36 foot and ankle surgically-trained physician. Currently 4-doctor/2 office practice in fast-growing area, expanding to 5 doctors. Hard working, personable, highly-motivated individuals needed. Great opportunity with excellent salary and benefits. No nursing homes.Top hospitals. Fax CV with references to 703-491-9994

ASSOCIATE POSITION –GEORGIA

A well-established practice in South Georgia seeks a full time PSR-24/36 trained podiatrist. Excellent benefit package. Please send CV to agriffin@southernpodiatry.com. For more information, visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION- NEW YORK

We’re in search of a motivated, well-trained DPM who is great with patients. Our well-established multi-doctor, multi-office practice is located in the scenic Hudson Valley region of New York State. All DPM´s in our group are board-certified and there is a residency program affiliated with our practice. This is a special opportunity for the right person(s), with an excellent compensation package available. Please reply to HVFA, PO Box 3300, Kingston, NY 12402-3300; or email CV and cover letter to: jobs@hvfa.com.

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

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