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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 18,694 Subscribers Daily
November 15, 2019 #6,550  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2019- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
Last Chance to Vote
Quick Poll
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Would you join a supergroup if you could?
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| AT THE COLLEGES | |
APWH and Essity to Award Scholarships for Five TUSPM Students
The Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing (APWH) has announced that it will be providing CMET certification scholarships for five Temple students who attended the 2019 Annual APWH conference. These scholarships are sponsored by Essity, the Emerald Partners from the 2019 Annual APWH Conference. The scholarships grant the students with free membership in the APWH, a free Board Certification Course, and free Board Certification with Council for Medical Education and Testing (CMET) for wound care certification.
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(L-R) Dan Amabile (Essity), Grant Schindler, and Dr. Jeffrey Galitz |
Each scholarship has a value of greater than $1,000, with the total amount surpassing $5,000. The five students selected for a scholarship are: Grant Schindler ‘21, Peter Tran ‘20, Dhara Doshi ‘21, Preeti Kumrah ‘22, and Brandon Mojica ‘23.
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
NJ Podiatrist's Referral Leads to Diagnosis of NPH
As Trish Bogucki walked from her office to her car, she often felt unsteady, tripping and stumbling. She expected it: She had a bunion and a hammertoe that probably needed surgical repair. Finally, the then-66-year-old visited Robert Galerenzo, DPM, a podiatrist, who surprised her with a very different cause of her condition. “He said ‘Yep, you have a bunion. Yep, you have a hammertoe. But what’s your problem with walking,?” Bogucki, 70, of Mahwah, New Jersey, told TODAY.
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Dr. Robert Galerenzo |
Dr. Galerenzo (now retired) believed something else caused her shuffling gait. “He asked me lots of insightful questions,” she said. “He said, ‘You need surgery but I would hate to operate on you and not get at the root cause of the walking problem.’” Galerenzo called her general practitioner and explained that he thought Bogucki’s walking issues were neurological. She was then diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
Source: Meghan Holohan, MSN Today [11/12/19]
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| PODIATRISTS AND WOUND HEALING | |
Advanced Fluorescence Imaging Detects Bioburden in Chronic Wounds: OH Podiatrist
Advanced fluorescence imaging has the potential to decrease bioburden and significantly improve the healing rates of chronic wounds, according to the results of a case series investigation conducted in Cleveland. As well as targeting debridement to promote wound healing, fluorescence imaging was also found to be capable of providing positive revenues in an outpatient wound care setting.
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Dr. Windy Cole |
Featured in the prize-winning oral abstract session at the Symposium of Advanced Wound Care Fall meeting, presenter Windy Cole, DPM emphasized that an optimally prepared wound bed which promotes healing must be regularly debrided to remove devitalized tissues, while a reduction of the bacterial load is also necessary. Despite the elimination of debris and slough at the base of the wound, Dr. Cole questioned “are we really getting rid of bioburden and affecting the bacterial contamination of the wound? We cannot see [biofilms] with our naked eye, but we can with the fluorescence imaging camera.”
Source: iWoundsnews [10/15/19]
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY | |
NJ Podiatry Practice Receives Hillsborough Community Partner Award
Family Foot & Ankle Specialists, a podiatry office in Hillsborough, NJ, was awarded the Community Partner Award for their service to the Hillsborough community. Family Foot & Ankle Specialists supports the community through sports sponsorships, local charitable races, and offers free educational library services.
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Jessica Taveras and Frank DelCore |
The Hillsborough Business Association and Mayor Frank DelCore presented the awards at the Business Appreciation Social to Jessica Taveras of Family Foot & Ankle Specialists.
Source: Hillsborough Patch [11/12/19]
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| PODIATRISTS AND PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE | |
TN Podiatrist Suspended for 'Splitting' Opioids with Patients
A Tennessee Department of Health board suspended Dr. Michael Webb of Sevierville for "immoral, unethical, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct," according to a report from the hearing. In late October, the Tennessee Board for Podiatric Medical Examiners ruled to suspend Webb's podiatry license. Webb practiced podiatry at Sevierville Foot and Ankle Clinic. He reportedly prescribed opioids to patients -- and received a share of the drugs for himself.
Source: WBIR (NBC) [11/13/19]
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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 | |
Tips to Boost Billing and Collections - Part 1
It’s that time of year again when everyone is planning ways to make the upcoming year their best year yet. If your practice is like most other practices, then one area where you could use some work is billing and collections. Here are some resolutions that can improve your billing and collections in 2020.
1. Educate your patients.
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Insurance is complex and is getting more so. Patients could use a bit of schooling. Co-pays, deductibles, and other medical billing terminology can be a bit of a mystery to most people.
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Consider printing a simple flyer that explains billing basics that can apply to any insurance plan. Direct patients toward the customer service number on the back of their insurance cards for more detailed questions.
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Educating patients on where to get more information can also help improve patient relationships. Patients often blame the doctor when billing problems are really between patients and their insurance provider.
Source: Avery Hurt, Physicians Practice [11/4/19]
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| CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: Charcot Revision
I had a patient who underwent a tibiotalocalcaneal fusion for a Charcot ankle using an intramedullary nail. At 6 weeks post-op, the nail became grossly unstable and had to be removed and an external fixator was applied. During the case, DBX bone was injected through the canal as well as Augment to aid in fusion. My question is, should this case be coded with just the hardware removal (CPT 20680) and application of circular external fixator (CPT 20692), or should I also include the 2 fusion codes again (ankle [CPT 27870] and subtalar [CPT 28725]) as the ankle joint was easily manipulated after the IM nail was removed?
Troy Espiritu, DPM, Columbus, GA
Response: Under most circumstances, the removal of the hardware would be the only CPT code that would be appropriate to bill for this scenario. The coding for this part of the procedure would be CPT 20680: Removal of implant; deep (eg. buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod or plate) – RT/LT, 78 (Unplanned Return to the Operating/Procedure Room by the Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional Following Initial Procedure for a Related Procedure During the Postoperative Period).
However, since it was medically necessary and integral to apply the circular external fixator to the failed fusion site, it is also appropriate to bill CPT code 20692 (Application of a multiplane (pins or wires in more than 1 plane), unilateral, external fixation system (eg. Ilizarov, Monticelli type) appended by RT/LT, 78 modifiers. It is inappropriate to bill a second time CPT code 27870: Arthrodesis, ankle, open and CPT code 28725: Arthrodesis, subtalar. This is truly a one bite of the apple situation. Additionally, “the ankle joint was easily manipulated after the IM nail was removed.”
Michael G. Warshaw, DPM, CPC, Lady Lake, FL
For information on Codingline subscriptions, click here
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Alan Sherman, DPM
It’s been previously observed in this forum that a disproportionate number of cars are running into podiatry offices. Now we learn of a new one. I can certainly understand why many of these get reported in PM News…when we see a report of these stories in local media, we notice them and send them in. If the car ran into a 7-11, we wouldn’t see it here in PM News. But seeing this new report today made me wonder…do these incidents have more in common than just the fact that podiatry offices are victims?
These questions come to mind: Are the cars being driven by podiatry patients of those offices? Are they patients with neuropathy? Have their feet been anesthetized from a procedure? Are they wearing a bulky post-op shoe? Let’s collect this data where it is known and perhaps we can come up with some changes to our Policy and Procedures manuals in an effort to protect our office entrances!
Alan Sherman, DPM, Boca Raton, FL
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CODINGLINE | |
From: George Jacobson, DPM
I believe you should do what is in the best interest of your patient to accomplish the best outcome. If you are going to stage procedures without medical necessity, for strictly financial gain, it may be viewed as unethical. You may even want prior informed consent to the staging. Document, document, document.
George Jacobson, DPM, Hollywood, FL
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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Novel way to carry your cutting board? |
Source: Amber Ambrose Auréle via Virtual Shoe Museum
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MEETING NOTICES
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NEED CME CREDITS FAST?
PODIATRY MANAGEMENT'S AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME
You can Earn up to 50 Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) Online
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All required credits can be taken online for AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, DE, HI, IN, KS, LA, MA, ME, MI, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WV, and WI
Partial required credits can be taken online for AZ, FL, GA, ID, KY, IL, ID, IA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY, NC, OK, PA, PR, TN, TX, WA, and DC
Choose any or ALL from 25+ CECH Category-1 articles posted
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION – DAYTON, OHIO
Established practice seeks full-time ABFAS or ABPM cert or qual. Podiatrist for our growing practice. Ideal candidate possesses strong clinical and surgical skills. Must be willing to merge into an already established protocol-based office. State-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Hospital privileges, No nursing homes, base $120,000 and generous bonuses. Benefits include medical insurance, disability insurance, paid vacation and holidays, paid CME and malpractice. Please send C/V to DPMOhio@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE PODIATRIST - METROPOLITAN MARYLAND
Established practice (3 locations) looking for a full-time podiatrist with opportunity for partnership. Must be motivated, personable and dedicated to our growing practice. Must have strong skills in wound care, diabetes, general podiatry and surgery. The ideal candidate will be able to merge into an already protocol-based office. State of the art, fully staffed facility including EMR, PadNet, DME, digital x-rays and shoe stores on premises. Staff privileges at 3 local hospitals. Great location close to Washington D.C. and Virginia. Please send CV to marylandpodiatryjobs@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – ALABAMA
Love the beach? Busy, established practice located in a coastal community is looking for a full-time or part-time podiatrist! ABFAS board qualification or certification is required. Must be motivated, hardworking, positive, and dedicated to growing the practice and individual career and reputation. Must have great people skills, caring bedside manner, and positive demeanor. Must work well with staff and local medical community. Competitive pay and partnership track available. Send CV and contact information to: manager@southbaldwinpodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Full time associate position, leading to partnership, opportunity for highly motivated individual with PSMR-RRA training. Well established, busy, two-office practice with all ABFAS board certified, FACFAS, foot and ankle surgeons. Would be turn-key taking over high volume existing practitioners patient care. Associated with large local hospital/residency. Competitive compensation package which includes base salary and bonus structure, health and malpractice insurance, 401K and other benefits. Immediate availability or to start when individual graduates from residency/fellowship in July 2020. Email letter of interest/CV to medical622@aol.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – MARYLAND
Perfect opportunity for highly motivated individual with excellent clinical skills and bedside manner. Candidate must be proficient with inpatient management, wound care and all aspects of podiatry. Competitive compensation package which includes base salary and bonus structure. Email letter of interest/CV to contact@shadygrovepodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION PART-TIME – BROOKLYN, NY
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (LONG BEACH)
Established busy practice looking for a full-time podiatrist. This special doctor should be personal, teachable, motivated and independent. Five or more years of practice experience welcome. Need someone immediately. Please submit a CV with a cover letter and three professional references to PodiatristLB@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – SAN ANTONIO, TX
Well established practice seeks full-time podiatrist in San Antonio, TX. Recent expansion to second office location offers exclusive opportunity for growth. Candidate must possess strong surgical and clinical skills and have a team player attitude. Salary with incentive structure and benefits. Please send description of your background, training, practice expectations and CV to: lisa.baine@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - PISCATAWAY/HILLSBOROUGH NJ
Come join our fun-loving team. Looking for a full-time or part-time podiatrist for a well-run established practice. You will immediately be busy with new patients. Only serious inquires please. Send your CV to drwishnie@stopfootpainfast.com and write “I am your next shiny star” in the subject line and tell me why in the body of the email.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE - UPSTATE NEW YORK, KENTUCKY, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI
looking for reliable and ethical podiatrists to serve Skilled Nursing Facilities, Nursing Homes, and Assisted Living Centers. Positions available immediately in Upstate New York, Kentucky, Minnesota and Missouri. Send inquiries and CV to: info@phase2podiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – WEST COAST FLORIDA
Join a podiatric team whose work positively impacts the lives of seniors every day! KG Health Partners, the largest Mobile Podiatry practice in Florida, is seeking full and part-time podiatrists who will provide Lower Extremity care to residents living in long-term facilities throughout the West Coast of 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 NEW YORK, KENTUCKY, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI
Looking for reliable and ethical podiatrists to serve Skilled Nursing Facilities, Nursing Homes, and Assisted Living Centers. Positions available immediately in Upstate New York, Kentucky, Minnesota and Missouri. Send inquiries and CV to: info@phase2podiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – BERGEN COUNTY, NJ
Looking for a Saturday and covering podiatrist in a very busy, fast-paced practice. Offering competitive salary and bonuses. Lots of sports medicine, excellent support staff, and positive environment. Immediate start date. Please e-mail CV to cma@njfootpain.com. Should you have any further questions, you may call Gerry 201-523-9489 ext 101.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NAPLES, FL
Immediate and July 2020 associate positions for busy practice in SWFL. ABFAS or ABPM BC or BQ. Interpersonal skills and willingness to work as a team a must. Cloud EMR, Digital x-rays, Ultrasound, DME. Base salary, bonus, health, 401K, Paid vacations etc. Our practice cadaver surgical labs to enhance everyone's skills as a group exclusively available. If you like FL sunshine, fishing, golfing, beaches and to live and work in paradise. Also 1 fellowship position: ACFAS-approved surgical fellowship open for 2020 yr. MIS, RRA Surgery, Practice Management w over 1,200 procedures/450 cases/yr. Must have foot/RRA ABFAS qualified status by 8/2020. DrLam@NaplesPodiatrist.com
NON-CLINICAL FACULTY POSITION – POMONA, CA
Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine is seeking a podiatric physician who is interested in a full-time non-clinical faculty position at the Assistant, Associate or Professor level. Academic rank will be commensurate with past experience. Please apply at https://apptrkr.com/1675621.
WOUND CARE/RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FELLOWSHIP - MULTI-SPECIALTY SURGICAL GROUP - LOS ANGELES, CA
Multi-specialty surgical group adding wound care and reconstructive surgery podiatry fellowship for 2020-2021 academic year. Will train in multiple settings alongside plastic and general surgery in new outpatient facility. Full salary, health insurance, and housing stipend provided, with more opportunities after completing program. Send CV to: woundcaredocs@gmail.com
ANKLE & FOOT ASSOCIATES DEFORMITY CORRECTION & ADVANCED SURGICAL SKILLS FELLOWSHIP - SE GEORGIA
Fellow position available for the year 2020-2021. Focus on deformity correction, orthoplastics, minimally invasive surgery, and trauma. Interested candidates should send CV to AnkleandFootFellowship@outlook.com. Fellow to be chosen by mid-December.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,000 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 18,000 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 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CUTTING EDGE MLS MPHI 5 LASER
Pre-owned Cutting Edge MLS Mphi 5 Laser, with upgraded Battery and new features for treatment of most all Inflammatory Conditions. New $48k. Now $21,500 obo Shipping included. Contact: surgeonman@aol.com
PODIATRY PRACTICE FOR SALE – WESTCHESTER, NY
Well established, successful, located downtown in growing major city Westchester, NY. Parking, public transportation. Retiring due to health reasons. On surgical staff of close major hospital, On ALL major health insurances, four treatment rooms, power chairs, EMR with Dragon, Electronic Billing, ERx, Digital Xray,Vascular Testing, Fluoroscopy, RSWT, Ultrasound, Radiofrequency, Cryoprobe, Autoclave, Whirlpools, Footmax Metascan, complete surgical (with power) and conservative care instruments. PRICED TO SELL. Will introduce. E-mail: lifehope53@yahoo.com
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,000 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 18,000 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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