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PMNews
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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 19,439 Subscribers Daily
November 18, 2020 #6,813  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management https://podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2020- 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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Since the onset of COVID-19 are you recommending more or less home remedies to patients?
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE MEDIA | |
Little Justification for Cosmetic Bunion Surgery: CA Podiatrist
"Genetics do play a factor, so don't rule out that mom, dad, or grandma may have contributed to why you have a bunion. Bunions are made worse by the shoes you wear and the activities you do. Conservatively, there are some things you can do to avoid bunion surgery, such as a toe spacer or wider based shoes. Soft tissue stretchers, however, do not work. Only bunion surgery can correct the underlying boney condition," says Ebonie Vincent, DPM, host of My Feet are Killing Me on TLC.
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Dr. Ebonie Vincent |
"After bunion surgery, you can return to normal activities, hopefully a little less painful because the joint will be in a better position. And if your bunions don't hurt, there's little justification for cosmetic surgery," says Dr. Vincent.
Source: Dan Mannarino, WPIX [11/15/20]
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| RESIDENCY NEWS | |
TPMF Announces Winners of State Resident Case Competition
The Texas Podiatric Medical Foundation (TPMF) rescheduled their annual residency case competition and meeting to "in person" Nov 13-15 at the Mayan Ranch, Bandera, TX. The winners received cash awards and future registration for the Texas meeting.
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L-R) Drs. Don Falknor, Sam Mendicino, Jorge Matuk, Colby Berger, and Mike Wynn |
1st Place - Colby Berger, DPM, Kingwood Med Center, Houston- Director- Jorge Matuk, DPM
2nd Place - Thomas Simon, DPM - Kingwood Med Center, Houston, Director - Jorge Matuk, DPM
3rd Place - Parth Bhakta, DPM and Jonathan Pajouh, DPM, Hunt Regional Program, Greenville, TX, Director- Steve Brancheau, DPM.
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| PODIATRIC SUPER GROUPS IN THE NEWS | |
IL Podiatrist Joins Ankle and Foot Centers of America
Ankle and Foot Centers of America, a leading podiatric super group, has announced its newest member of the Ankle & Foot Centers of America – North Shore Foot & Ankle Division, Arti Karmur, DPM, MS.
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Dr. Arti Karmur |
Dr. Karmur earned her Master's degree at Western University and her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. She then completed her residency training at the DVA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY | |
WI Podiatrist is Now Valley Specialty Medical Director at HealthPartners
Lynnelle R. (Olson) Gabriel, DPM, recently became the Valley Specialty Medical Director at HealthPartners at Westfields Hospital, Amery Hospital, Hudson Hospital, and Lakeview Hospital/SMG.
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Dr. Lynnelle Olson Gabriel |
Dr. Gabriel is a 1988 graduate who excelled in track, tennis, and gymnastics. She earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Des Moines University. She is an inductee in the New Richmond Athletic Hall of Fame.
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| PUBLISHED PODIATRISTS | |
Murder in the Retirement Home is CT Podiatrist's 1st Mystery
Luca DiMatteo, DPM of New Haven spent 25 years as a podiatrist in and out of nursing and retirement homes, so he knows the turf for the setting of his first mystery novel, Green Haven. He says there’s no mystery why he left practice and took up writing, among other pursuits. “Thirty years of being bent over left me with severe spinal stenosis and arthritis, and I wound up having disc surgery in 2019,” he said.
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Dr. Luca DiMatteo |
He started writing the book — about a luxurious retirement home where people start dropping dead (more than normal) and the female head of nursing who discovers it’s murder — in 2018 and was going to release it in April. “But when the pandemic hit and all the senior citizens were passing away in the nursing homes, we held off” until October, he said.
Source: Joe Amarante, New Haven Register [11/13/20]
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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 | |
5 Ways to Improve Patient Experience – Part 1
The better you can be for your patients, the more patients you will have. Here we present a quick and simple guide as to how to improve the experience of your patients, make them feel as comfortable as possible.
1. Have a Pleasant Environment
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It's fair to say that our spaces have changed over the last six months, with hand sanitizing, screens, and masks. It would be easy to think that it isn't possible to create a calm and relaxing environment, but that would be wrong.
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Make sure the decor is calm, soothing, and in neutral colors.
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You won’t be able to leave out any reading material so any entertainment will need to be on screens or simply music on the stereo. You will need to ensure all surfaces are easily cleanable so that you may sanitize all communal areas.
Source: John Moran, Logan Lutton, Physicians Practice [11/2/20]
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| CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: Commercial Insurance and Q Codes
We are having issues with billing patients who do not meet criteria for the Q8 modifier. Commercial insurances are paying for debridement codes or office visit codes, etc., unless the patient meets criteria for Q codes. Any thoughts?
K. Kyle Ballew, DPM, Waco, TX
Response: Most commercial payers don’t follow the Medicare at-risk requirements and typically that means you do not append a modifier Q8 on your billing. If you are providing, for example CPT 11720 and CPT 11055 simultaneously, bill as CPT 11720-59 and CPT 11055. Each CPT should have its respective diagnosis (a nail pathology for CPT 11720 and hyperkeratotic skin pathology for the CPT 11055). Most commercial insurances require a secondary qualifying diagnosis for coverage. Your post did not address which commercial insurance is an issue, so it is difficult to comment specifically other than generalizing like I just did for you.
David J. Freedman, DPM, CPC, Silver Spring, MD
For information on Codingline subscriptions, click here
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CASE REPORTS) | |
RE: A Purple Toe Lesion
From: Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH
A 45-year-old man presented with a firm, purple lesion on his third toe present for more than a year. An excisional biopsy revealed it was an eccrine poroma. Other diagnoses considered with a lesion like this include pyogenic granuloma, periungual fibroma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Well demarcated papules, they grow slowly or are stable in size. They are most commonly flesh colored and smooth, but may also appear verrucous, pigmented, or ulcerated, typically on acral skin—particularly on palms or soles, bleed easily, prompting care. They can mimic acral melanoma and occur most often in patients over 40 years of age, evenly distributed among sexes and skin types. Cases have been associated with trauma, radiation, and chemotherapy.
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Purple toe lesion 3rd digit (photo: Jonathan Karnes, MD) |
Although exceedingly rare, malignant transformation can occur in the form of eccrine porocarcinoma—a larger tumor that can grow rapidly and that has metastatic potential. Treatment is optional, especially when lesions are painful or bleed easily. Surgical excision, shave biopsy, or curettage coupled with electrocautery of the base are curative with very low recurrence rates. In this case, excisional biopsy of the lateral nail fold was diagnostic and curative. J Fam Pract. 2020 November; 69 (9) via MD Edge.
Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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| QUERIES (NON-CLINICAL) | |
Query: Recommendations for Ultrasound Machines
I am considering the purchase of an ultrasound machine for office use. There are many to choose from, (brands, new, used), and I am looking for thoughts and advice from those who have been using ultrasound in the office. Also, I was looking at the Butterfly iQ device that will work with a smartphone.
Donald Carlson, DPM, Hermiston, OR
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (MEDICAL ECONOMICS) | |
RE: Podiatrists Ranked #22 on Highest Paying Jobs List
From: Burton J. Katzen, DPM
For years, I have been teasing my nurse anesthetist that she makes more than I do for each surgery. Though I am certainly not minimizing what a nurse anesthetist does, while I am operating, she is reading the paper or on the phone with her kids. However, after seeing the Bureau of Labor Statistics, I realize how seriously out of whack our profession is, especially since orthopedic surgeons do the same type of procedures we do and are always on the top of any physician income list.
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Nurse Anesthetics #12 on Salary List |
The nurse anesthetists are 10 spots ahead of us on the income list, make, on average, nearly $40,000 a year more than we do, have no overhead, require much less schooling than we do, and never have to see the patient again. Can't wait until the next patient tells me I am overpaid.
Burton J. Katzen, DPM, Temple Hills, Maryland, MD
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Unequal Feet of the Day
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Does anyone know of an odd shoe exchange? |
Source: Submitted by Dr. Bill Scherer
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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
Earn 15 CECH only $249 (less than $17 per CECH)
podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
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
* NY podiatrists whose licenses expire from 3/2/20-5/1/21 may take all credits online
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
SEEKING CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR - NYCPM, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE
Looking for a motivated full-time podiatrist with excellent clinical and academic skills. Responsibilities: Providing high quality patient care, teaching students and residents in the diagnoses and treatments of foot and ankle diseases at the NY College of Podiatric Medicine as well as NYC Health and Hospital facilities. Qualifications: DPM Degree from an accredited College of Podiatric Medicine, NY State License. Board Certified/Board Eligible. Please send your CV to Mr. Joel Sturm, COO, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, JSTURM@NYCPM.EDU
FACULTY POSITION -- DES MOINES, IOWA
The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS) at Des Moines University seeks applicants for a full-time faculty position that will participate in academic, clinical patient care, scholarly, and service activities within the College, University and community. Qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting a CV and cover letter to www.dmu.edu/employment where detailed information about the position is available. Candidate review and interview scheduling will commence immediately.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – PORTLAND SUBURB, OR
Busy, growing, group practice in Portland, OR currently looking for a full-time Associate/Graduate. Must be ABPM BQ/BE Competitive six-figure salary, paid malpractice insurance and CME, bonus, health insurance, paid vacation time off. Please submit your CV with references to: drwring@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST PA
Looking to hire summer 2021. We are a free-standing large office with surgery center on site searching for new surgeon to join our high volume practice. Located in a thriving, affluent community with growing patient base. Partnership opportunity for an individual where significant surgical productivity exists in one's own office. Email inquiries/CV to ascpractice018@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ST PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER, FL
Rapidly growing two location practice looking for a full-time associate. General podiatry, wound care, sports medicine, DME, surgery, inpatient. Competitive salary, malpractice, paid time off, CME included. Applicant must be highly personable, caring, and self-motivated. New graduate or experienced provider. Submit letter of interest and CV to precisionfootandankleFL@gmail.com.
FULL TIME PODIATRIST- NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
We are a fast-growing podiatry practice in North Jersey with multiple locations and Doctors. We are currently looking for a full-time motivated and caring Doctor to join our busy practice. Some benefits include: competitive six-figure salary, generous bonus structure, health insurance (including vision & dental), paid vacation time off, paid malpractice insurance and CME time off. Great prospects for experienced Doctors as well as new Associates. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your Podiatric medical and surgical experience in an office-based practice! If interested, please submit your CV to DrSamofal@PodiatryCenterNJ.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - PODIATRY GROUP IN SAN BERNARDINO/ ORANGE /LOS ANGELES COUNTIES
Position starting august 2021. Must be well trained in limb preservation, trauma and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Send CV to podiatricri@yahoo.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHWEST, FL
Immediate position for busy practice in Sunny Southwest, FL. ABFAS RRA BC/BQ. EMR, E x-rays, US, DME. Base salary + bonus w, PTO, 401K, fees, health benefits. Also 1 ACFAS credentialed fellowship avail, must be BQ ACFAS by start of program 8/2021: DrLam@NaplesPodiatrist.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – HOUSTON, TX
Busy, growing, state of the art surgical, sports medicine office based group practice in Houston, TX currently looking for a full-time associate to start 8/1/21. Must be BQ/BE Competitive six-figure salary, generous bonus structure, health insurance (including vision & dental), paid vacation time off, paid malpractice insurance and CME time off. Opportunity to invest in surgery center and PT clinic. If interested, please submit your CV to mvargas@thefootpros.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST PA
Looking to hire summer 2021. We are a free-standing large office with surgery center on site searching for new surgeon to join our high volume practice. Located in a thriving, affluent community with growing patient base. Partnership opportunity for an individual where significant surgical productivity exists in one's own office. Email inquiries/CV to ascpractice018@gmail.com
NON-SURGICAL OFFICE BASED ASSOCIATE – CENTRAL FL
National comprehensive lower extremity physician group seeking a non-surgical office based Podiatric Physician in Volusia/Flagler county. Established patient base, 2 locations - short commute! ABPM BQ/BC. Current FL license preferred. Hiring ASAP! Competitive, comprehensive comp & health benefits including 401K, PTO, CME, med-mal, partnership path & add’l benefits. Please send CV to physicianrecruitment@upperlinehealth.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - NYC, NY
Opportunity available for new Associate/Graduate for Immediate start in modern practice located in NYC. In search of hard working flexible podiatrist with firm verifiable clinical and surgical experience who is willing to travel as needed. In PDF form, email a letter of interest and resume with references to nynypod7@aol.com for consideration. If both are not received, there will be no consideration. Compensation will be discussed.
PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 19,000 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 |
PRACTICES FOR SALE - HUDSON VALLEY, NY
Long established in two Hudson Valley, NY counties. 4 employed podiatrists, experienced staff. Full hospital admitting, surgical privileges. Participation in most commercial, advantage, Medicare & Medicaid. Custom built Office #1 = 1900 sq ft 3-4 tx rms FOR SALE in deal. Office#2 = 1400 sq ft rental 3 tx rms. Contact: podiatrypracticeny@yahoo.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE - TUCSON, AZ
Established two doctor podiatry practice, Principal retiring, other physician contractor will stay. Three-year average $1.4MM gross, $322,682 owner net in a three-and-a-half-day week and with no product sales (yet). ~250 new patients per month. Principal will assist transition. Email peter@mcmil.com or call Peter at 860-912-0800.
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 19,000 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details.
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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.
| | Guidelines |
- To Post a message, send it to: bblock@podiatrym.com
- Notes should be original and may not be submitted to
other publications or listservs without our express written
permission.
- Notes must be in the following form:
RE: (Topic)
From: (your name, DPM)
Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use
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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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