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PMNews
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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 18,384 Subscribers Daily
November 20, 2018 #6,312  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 |
Quick Poll
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What is your outlook for podiatry in the next 5 years?
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS | |
NY Podiatrist Discusses Causes of Swollen Feet
First, it’s important to understand what actually causes feet to swell. According to Rock Positano, DPM, MSc, MPH and director of non-surgical foot and ankle service at Hospital for Special Surgery, the most common causes are either related to current health conditions or are caused by irritants like too-tight shoes or long plane rides.
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Dr. Rock Positano |
Dr. Positano gave a laundry list of possible causes for swollen feet related to other health conditions: obesity, water retention, tight Achilles, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, kidney disease, high blood pressure, swollen and inflamed Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, joint disease secondary to diabetes, gout, trauma like ankle sprains and generalized tendon injuries, bone fractures, varicose veins, arterial blockage, atherosclerosis, cysts behind the knees, systemic infections, flat arch, or blocked lymph glands.
Source: Sharon Feiereisen, The Fashion Spot [11/15/18]
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| PODIATRISTS AND DIABETES | |
LA Podiatrist Leads Speaker Panel on Diabetes Day
On National Diabetes Day (November 14th), Daniel T. Hall IV, DPM led a speaker panel hosted by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana discussing diabetes mellitus and the negative effects on the lower extremity. A round table discussion and Q and A panel were held in front of a large group of seniors, hospital staff, home health nurses, and physical therapists.
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Dr. Daniel Hall IV |
The Q and A panel also included Dr. Kevin Schlamp (family medicine). Dr. Hall is the owner/founder of Louisiana Foot and Ankle Specialists in Lake Charles, LA. He serves as Department Chairman and Chief of Surgery at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.
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| PUBLISHED PODIATRISTS | |
FL Podiatrist Publishes Article in Natural Medicine Journal
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Dr. Richard Mann |
"Over the last decade, products with benfotiamine, a highly bioactive form of thiamine (vitamin B1), have been incorporated by thousands of podiatrists into their regimens for the treatment of polyneuropathy. These products have dramatically improved our ability to treat polyneuropathy. This paper attempts to explain why," said Dr. Mann who is CEO and Founder of Realm Labs, the Makers of NeuRemedy.
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY | |
KY Newspaper Readers Select "Best of Bowling" Winners
In August, readers of the Bowling Green Daily News and the Amplifier were invited to nominate their favorites in over 100 categories. In September, the top five nominees in each category were then voted on by the readers to determine the best.
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Dr. Jeffrey Schnell |
BEST PODIATRIST - Dr. Jeffrey Schnell. Runners up: Dr. Jennifer Benge Emery, Dr. Shannon Schnell, and Dr. Caroline Kiser
Source: Bowling Green Daily News [11/12/18]
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| HEALTHCARE NEWS | |
Doctors Are Fed Up With Being Turned Into Debt Collectors
Doctors, hospitals, and medical labs used to be concerned about patients who didn’t have insurance not paying their bills. Now they’re scrambling to get paid by the ones who do have insurance.
For more than a decade, insurers and employers have been shifting the cost of care onto their workers and customers, tamping down premiums by raising patients’ out-of-pocket costs. Last year, almost half of privately insured Americans under age 65 had annual deductibles ranging from $1,300 to as high as $6,550, government data show.
Editor's note: To read this complete article, click here,
Source: Blake Dodge, Bloomberg [11/15/18] via Drs. Steven Abrams and Bret Ribotsky
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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 | |
Reasons to Say No to Payer Contracts - Part 3
A payer contract is more than a mere fee schedule. There are several other factors to consider when deciding to keep or terminate a payer contract.
3. Arbitrary downcoding
Some payers have been sneaky in automatically or arbitrarily downcoding E/M services. Level 5 services are downcoded and paid at level 4 fees, and level 4 services get the level 3 treatment. Think about it this way: Level 4 office visits (new and established) generally pay 45-55 percent more than their level 3 counterparts! I don’t see this often, but when I do, I call the payer right away. I consider such behavior egregious and would be willing to terminate an agreement over unwarranted downcoding.
Source: Lucien Roberts, Physicians Practice [11/7/18]
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| CODINGLINE CORNER |
Query: Medicare Payment for CPT 64450
In the past with Medicare, we have gotten coverage for billing CPT 64450 with plantar fasciitis or Morton’s neuroma as the primary diagnosis. According to the new LCD, nerve conditions and pain are no longer covered diagnosis codes. I understand why the G codes are getting denials, but why has Medicare stopped paying for this code altogether?
William Long, DPM, Simpsonville, SC
Response: The CPT code 64450 of which you query is an injection, anesthetic agent (other peripheral nerve or branch) and is considered a peripheral nerve block. It should not be used for injection of plantar fasciitis.
I recommend CPT code(s) 20550: Injection(s); single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis [e.g., plantar “fascia”] or 20551: injection, tendon origin or insertion. For a Morton’s neuroma injection, you should use CPT code: Injection(s), anesthetic agent and/or steroid, plantar common digital nerve(s) (e.g., Morton’s neuroma), which was introduced in the CPT 2009 and specifically represents injection of an anesthetic agent and/or steroidal agent into the involved plantar digital nerve interspace.
Joseph Borreggine, DPM, Charleston, IL
For information on Codingline subscriptions, click here
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
From: Simon Young, DPM
Treating back pain with orthotics and biomechanical principles without first consulting a neurologist or orthopedist is foolhardy and dangerous. Isn’t it interesting that Dr. Steinberg mentioned chiropractors doing a weight-bearing exam as part of their patient evaluation. How many DPMs do the same exam as part of their patient evaluation, even before prescribing orthotics for back pains. Since we are on the front line, based on this exam, we can refer to an appropriate specialist and provide the patient a beneficial service.
I do recommend orthotics as an adjuvant treatment for lower back pain only after a gait evaluation and consultation by an appropriate specialist. Part of the work-up certainly involves radiographs, possible MRI and EMG/NCV studies, in addition to blood studies. I hope we don’t miss a tumor, rheumatological disorder, and 1,000 other possible maladies or deformities.
We are not qualified to treat back pain, nor are chiropractors, and we need to be honest to the patient and be part of a team. Only after an appropriate work-up and failed conservative treatment, or in conjunction with standard therapies, do I feel orthotics can be a benefit.
Simon Young, DPM, NY, NY
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| YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP | |
RE: Outrageous Shoe of the Day
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Horse shoe heel? |
Source: Julia Eichler 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
Earn 15 CECH only $219 (less than $15 per CECH)
(Only $15 per credit) http://www.podiatrym.com/cme.cfm
All required credits can be taken online for AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, DE, HI, IN, KS, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WV, WI, & WY
Partial required credits can be taken online for AZ, CT, FL, GA, ID, KY, IL, ID, IA, 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 PART 1 - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ORANGE COUNTY, CA
Busy practice looking for a bilingual, Spanish speaking, part or full-time associate for a multi-office practice. Both Non-surgical & PSR-24-36 Board qualified/certified foot and ankle physicians and/or fellowship trained surgeons wanted. Candidate must be personable, outgoing and motivated with excellent bedside manner with ability to be busy from day one. Must be competent in all areas of conservative, wound care and surgical treatments of the foot and ankle. Competitive salary offered. Email CV to: ocfootdoc27@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOUISVILLE, KY
Immediate opportunity to walk into a busy three doctor practice to take over for an established podiatrist moving back to his home town for family reasons. Multifaceted well-equipped office centrally located with a local residency. Send resume and letter of interest to benfeet@yahoo.com.
MULTI-LOCATION GROUP - CHICAGO/NEAR WEST SUBURBS
Seeking F.T. ABFAS Board Certified/Eligible associate- P.T. available. MINIMUM 2 year practice experience required. Surgical/ortho patients. Great staff. DME, MIS, EMR, ultrasound, PRP, shockwave, digital x-ray, laser, sx center & Physical Therapy- Top pay, associateship & practice equity available for experienced candidates. Contact podiatryoffer@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – WESTERN PA
Well-established podiatry practice in Western, PA looking for a full-time Podiatrist to join their team. Position will involve seeing patients at multiple hospitals, wound care centers and satellite offices. Basic qualification: Graduation from an accredited medical school and completed accredited residency program. Board Certified/Qualified. Certificate/license medical license to practice in State of Pennsylvania. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to our team members. email CV to: dysteindpm@gmail.com
POSITIONS AVAILABLE – ROCHESTER, NY
Looking for podiatrists to see residents in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in and around Rochester, NY. Great opportunity for part-time income. Positions available immediately! Send inquiries to: phasetwopodiatry@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTH CAROLINA
Great opportunity in rural Northeastern NC! 20 year, well established practice with multiple locations, ready to continue to grow, seeking hard working podiatrist/s just entering practice or with experience, to join us. North Carolina license a must, Send questions and/or CV to iiicms@aol.com
FULL-TIME or PART-TIME PODIATRIST - DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA
PSR 24-36 Trained Multi-dimensional, Multi-office group treating a wide range of patients to include: forefoot, rearfoot, diabetic wound care, sports medicine and work-related injuries. A great opportunity for driven personable individual. Please e-mail CV, Letter of references, 1 minute Video Introduction Email: cnunez1940@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – MARYLAND
Established practice looking for a full-time podiatrist for our three Maryland locations. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical skills including ulcer care, diabetes, surgery and general foot care. Must have a strong office personality with the ability to maintain and attract patients. Must be willing to merge into an already established protocol based office. Please send C/V to podiatristsmd@gmail.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 POSITION – HOUSTON, TEXAS
Busy podiatry practice seeks motivated DPM to join our team. Amazing opportunity for someone looking to grow with us. Incredible company culture. Suburban outpatient practice in an active part of town. Sports medicine and lots of kids. No weekends or hospital call. Interested applicants invited to send CV's to: HoustonDPMJob@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOS ANGELES CA
Excellent opportunity for hard working, ethical rearfoot and ankle trained foot & ankle surgeon. Full scope practice including fore/rearfoot surgery, trauma, biomechanics. Located across the street from a major hospital. Associateship leading to partnership. Email CV to lafootanklesurgeon@gmail.com
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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| CLASSIFIED ADS PART 2 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - NORTHERN INDIANA
Closing satellite office. Selling misc medical and office equipment including Xanar 15 watt laser, 3 treatment chairs, x-ray machine. Email for complete list of items available. Fwfeet7@gmail.com
PRACTICE FOR SALE – BLOOMINGTON, IN
A well-established, profitable 47 year-old podiatry practice is for sale in Bloomington, Indiana. All office equipment and inventory is separately for sale, including but not limited to a digital x-ray, c-arm, laser, and power chairs. Inquires can be made to blmpodiatry@gmail.com
SPACE AVAILABLE – NY AND LONG ISLAND
Offices available to sublet and share, Manhattan and North Shore Long Island. Offices fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment extremity MRI, foot/ankle CT scanner, diagnostic ultrasound and the availability to become a staff member of a certified ambulatory surgical center. Call 1516 476-1815 podo2345@aol.com
PODIATRY PRACTICE WANTED - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Looking to purchase Southern California podiatry practice from podiatrist willing to stay for transition. Please reply to socalpod12@gmail.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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| 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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