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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 15,682 Podiatrists Daily
December 05, 2013 #4,933  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2013- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
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| AT THE COLLEGES | |
PA Podiatrist Conducts Hands-on TCC Workshop for TUSPM Students
Jeffrey D. Lehrman, DPM recently visited the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine to discuss and lead a workshop on total contact casting. This was organized by students and put on by the Save a Limb, Save a Life Club. Dr. Lehrman gave a 30-minute lecture followed by a hands-on workshop where students were given the opportunity to practice applying total contact casts on each other.
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Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman with TUSPM Students at TCC Workshop |
There was a large turnout of 3rd and 4th year students who were an engaged, active audience and asked thoughtful questions. The students were excited to take turns applying total contact casts onto each other. BSN Medical was kind enough to donate enough casting supplies so that every student in attendance was able to have a turn applying cast materials.
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| PODIATRIC PRODUCTS IN THE NEWS | |
NY Podiatrist Launches Fashion/Function Footwear Line
Dr. Bruce Pinker, an experienced foot and ankle surgeon and podiatrist from Westchester County, has launched the Dr. D-LuCS line of footwear. Created by highly revolutionary technology with style in mind, the Dr. D-LuCS brand allows luxurious, but comfortable wearing of shoes.
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Dr. Bruce Pinker |
"In reality, we're not born with bad feet. Rather, I've learned that problems with foot health are the result of years of ill-fitting shoes," says Dr. Pinker, founder and CEO of Dr. D-LuCS and Progressive Foot Care. "Using the innovative technology of Computerized Scientific Gait Investigation (CSGI), I have created the Dr. D-LuCS brand to craft the perfect combination of both fashion and function. I want people to see that the luxury of the shoe is in its comfort."
Source: Market Wired [12/3/13]
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| PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY - PART 2 | |
OH Podiatry Practice Teams up With Salvation Army for Shoe Drive
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(L-R) Geri DeCenso, Lisa Troutman, and Amy Assion. |
Physicians and staff from Ankle & Foot Care Centers are teaming up with the Salvation Army to collect and distribute shoes to needy families this holiday season. The podiatry practice is asking shoppers to drop off shoes at collection stations at any of its 18 locations in the Mahoning Valley by Jan. 3. Shoes should be new or nearly new.
Source: The Vindicator [12/2/13]
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| MEDICARE NEWS | |
Podiatrists Fees Under Medicare to Drop Approximately 1%
CMS unveiled its final rules for the CY 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and the CY 2014 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems (OPPS) on November 27. According to the final rule, podiatric physicians are likely to experience, on average, a 1-percent reduction to estimated payments. The majority of specialties, 37 out of 57, will experience a decrease or will not change—23 will see an estimated pay decrease, while 14 will see no change. Other issues addressed in the rule include revisions to the Medicare Economic Index, and changes to the Physician Quality Reporting System and Value Modifier.
If Congress does not take action before the end of the year, Medicare physician payment rates will be reduced by 20.1 percent due to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. When adjustments to the relative value scale are combined with the conversion factor change, the net reduction in payment rates would be about 24 percent.
Source: APMA Weekly Focus [12/3/13]
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Are you in the process of switching over from handwritten progress notes?
Do you have a new EMR account, but no time to set up the templates because of your busy schedule?
Hello, I’m Dr. Abinash Mishra. As a recent podiatry school graduate, I have the knowledge and the time to set up your EMR templates, so that you can put your time to focus on the more important things…your patients. If you are in the process of switching over to EMR and would like some help, call 305-331-4416 or send e-mail me at amishra42180@yahoo.com. I will be happy to help you. Very reasonable competitive pricing.
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| QUERIES (MEDICAL-LEGAL) | |
Query: Opting Out an Incompetent Patient
If a podiatrist has opted out of Medicare he/she must have an "Opt Out" contract with the patient in which the patient acknowledges that no claim will be sent to Medicare. If there is no contract, then there can be up to a $10,000 fine per claim (for the physician) under section 1128 of the Social Security Act. My question is... if a patient is in a facility and is diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer's and there is no Poer of Attorney (POA) available, can a caregiver sign the opt out contract?
Michael J. Schneider, DPM, Denver, CO
Editor's note: PM News does not provide legal advice. In general, when a patient is deemed incompetent, the court appoints a legal guardian to execute any documents relevant to that patient. The facility in which the patient resides has the contact information for that guardian or authorization to deal with billing issues of this nature.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) | |
From: Philbert Kuo, DPM
Consider simply wearing a pair of surgical shoes. I think Apex has some washable Lycra shoes that open up. If she's not having any problems, sometimes Keds work fine since they don't come up very high. Sometimes you just can't fit everyone.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (MEDICAL/LEGAL) - PART 1A | |
From: Philip J. Shapiro, DPM
Your malpractice carrier can give you overall guidance as to what you should have, but the general concept is ABC: Airway, Breathing, and Cardiac. Prior to an emergency response team arriving at your office from a 911 call, you should be able to respond quickly and efficiently to anaphylaxis, seizures, cardiac arrest (crash cart plus your documented proficiency in ALS), diabetic reactions, hyper- and hypotensive crises, and other medical emergencies that can, and periodically do, arise in podiatric clinical settings. Equally as important, your entire staff should know what their role is during an emergency.
When purchasing a crash cart, be certain that you have a system to check on the expiration dates of the medications as well as periodic monitoring of the oxygen tank level. Emergency equipment should be easily accessible, and all staff members should know where it is and bring it to you – never leave a patient unattended in an emergency. Possession of a crash cart alone is insufficient; the training and the system that you have in place to use that crash cart effectively is what makes the difference.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (MEDICAL LEGAL) - PART 1B | |
From: Tip Sullivan, DPM
In Mississippi a DPM cannot run a code even if they are ACLS-certified according to the lawyer for the state board, Stan Ingram. I have a full crash cart in my O.R. for the anesthesiologist (MD or DO) that technically I am unable to use. When I put the question to the board's lawyer - If I have a patient or other person who crashes in my waiting room, do I have to just watch the person die? His response was that I could do just like any other person and administer basic life support which now includes AED, but I could not administer ACLS drugs. That used to really bother me when I was younger. Thank God, I have not been tested because I would have a very hard time not doing what I could to save a life, regardless of the technicalities.
Regarding your specific question about crash cart requirement in the office – that depends on your definition of crash cart? The “crash cart” I have in the office has basically an airway, a breathing bag, and an AED (required by the state) - the one in my O.R. has every drug that one could use in ACLS (including dantrolene).
I am sure each state has different regulations, but the real question is: What are you going to do if someone crashes in your office? For me, regardless of the regulations, I am sure that if the actual situation should arise, I would do all I could. Thankfully, my office and surgery center is close enough to a hospital via 911 that an ambulance is here literally before one could initiate ACLS efforts. I have had to call them several times, but never for a cardiac-based event.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (MEDICAL/LEGAL) - PART 2 | |
From: Steven J. Kaniadakis, DPM
Dr. Daniel Chaskin's post is very enthusiastic. This would bring parity among our profession. Also, I think this pathway will demonstrate a type of unity strength as a profession. I still believe that there will not be enough podiatrists and other physicians and surgeons, with Obamacare to treat every American in the United States. If our profession does not make moves to accommodate, then others will take up the slack from a backlog of patients. We need more schools and post-graduate programs, which should include program pathways akin to the ones mentioned by this post. Dr. Chaskin is the type of podiatrist whom I was initially inspired by before I attended podiatry school.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (ICD-10) | |
From: Jim Shipley, DPM
Dr. Kornfeld, I in no way fault your inaccurate assessment of me. I have given you no information about myself except for the income of the county I live in. I had honestly hoped that you would give some other advice besides uprooting my family to move to a different area. The fact that you didn't is not a big deal, I'm glad it has turned out so well for you.
I, however, can offer PM News readers another suggestion that was given to me two years ago. If you're not a part of one already, it is time to...
Editor's note: Dr. Shipley's extended-length letter can be read here.
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Full-Time Clinical Position - NYCPM
The New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) is seeking DPM applicants for a full-time (four days totaling 32 clock hours per week) position within its Department of Medical Sciences. Applicants must be 24- or 36-month residency trained, and be ABPM and/or ABPS qualified/certified. Evidence of prior research experience or medical publication will add to the strength of one’s application. Diabetic/Charcot foot and wound care experience will also favor the respondent. Applicants must also be comfortable working in a chairside environment as well as supervising the care of podiatric inpatients. The position is heavily geared toward the dermatological, neurological, infectious diseases and vascular aspects of pedal disease, with podiatric surgery playing a lesser role. Applicant must be licensed in New York State.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 1 | |
From: J.R. Cutler, DPM
Kudos to Dr. Rogers for getting involved in the community in a meaningful way. Not all of us agree with his politics, but we should all be grateful for his ability to advance the profession and make all of us look better to our hospitals and our communities. I’m grateful that he is a DPM, and I hope he does this kind of work for many years to come. I have had good discussions with him about some difficult topics over the years. He handled those topics like a true gentleman. I wish him well in the future and congratulate him on being in a position that he appears well trained for, and has the experience to succeed and make us all proud! Thanks!
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 1
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) - PART 2 | |
From: Robert Kornfeld, DPM
Dr. Bijak's condemnation of Dr. Greene's interview is exactly the reason this profession will die a slow and painful death. Sorry Dr. Bijak, but your remarks show an ignorance of the human body and pathology. Diet is intimately linked to inflammation, plantar fasciitis included. It is THE main reason patients cross the morbidity threshold. Your simplified view of biomechanics as the root cause is flawed. Does every single patient with rearfoot varus and gastroc-soleus equinus have pedal pathology? Of course not. We have every right as doctors of podiatric medicine to treat the inflammation with an anti-inflammatory diet as part of our protocol, just as you would counsel your gout patients on what to eat and what not to eat.
Remember, when you treat your patients with NSAIDs, you are treating the entire body, causing immune suppression, liver toxicity, and possible internal bleeding. When you give your patients a cortisone shot, you are affecting adrenal function, neurotransmitters, the HPA axis and increasing susceptibility to infection. A healthy, anti-inflammatory diet sounds like a much better idea to me.
So by your definition, we need to surrender our right to prescribe drugs. As limited license professionals, it would probably be best if we stuck to clipping toenails and trimming calluses. Just don't cut your patient because if they get an infection, your antibiotic will wipe out their gut flora. Dr. Bijak, instead of downplaying our training and sobbing about not being an MD, maybe put the same effort into upgrading our profession.
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 2
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| CLASSIFIED ADS |
PRACTICE FOR SALE – GLENDALE, CA
Retiring from part-time practice averaging 15 hours a week practice, grossing well over $130,000 a year. No HMO, PPO or hospital surgeries (but located 20 minutes from 5 major area hospitals). Only accepting private insurance, Medicare and cash. Not participating in the diabetic shoe program. Unique practice specializing in off label liquid SILICONE injections (no insurance…cash only), Cryoneuroablation, x-rays, ultrasound imaging, Lixiscope, soft tissue surgeries, and some palliative care. In same great location, in the center of everything for the past 43 years. Unlimited potential. Call 818-384-2479.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - OH
Group practice in Ohio seeks a well-trained surgeon, PSR24/36 preferred. Our practice provides all of the latest technology needed to provide patients with the best care, including Lasers, PAD Testing, DME, EMR and Digital X-ray. Competitive compensation package including salary and bonus. Please send CV to: DPMgroup1@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND, NY
Looking for an experienced ethical, board certified/qualified podiatrist, must be personable, energetic and highly motivated. Well rounded practice incorporating all phases of podiatry including general podiatry, surgery, wound care, orthopedics. P/T, F/T position available, excellent salary. Please email CV to: jobke@aol.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CT (GREENWICH, FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN)
Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices, including EMR, digital x-ray, vascular and NCV studies, Pinpointe and CO2 lasers, diagnostic ultrasound and electrical stimulation therapy. You can expect a full schedule of patients the day you start, and a very competitive salary. For more info www.greatfootcare.com. Send resume to: Dr.Kassaris@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - TAMPA BAY AREA
Excellent opportunity to join a well-established multi-office group practice in the beautiful Tampa Bay area starting July 2014. We are seeking a highly motivated, ethical and outgoing physician with Florida license to join our growing practice. Competitive salary, excellent benefits, bonus structure with partnership opportunity. Please email CV to Kpontious9@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ARKANSAS
Ethical, highly motivated, enthusiastic associate needed to join successful, well-established practice located in Northwest Arkansas. Certified/qualified by ABPS with rearfoot training preferred. The practice has an excellent working relationship with a high referral base from local PCPs and other specialists. Well-rounded practice incorporates general podiatry, surgery, wound care, and sports medicine. Salary plus excellent bonus potential for the right individual. Send CV to: footdocmanager@yahoo.com.
PART-TIME ASSOCIATE POSITION – CHICAGO, IL
part-time opportunity in Chicago to provide treatment to homebound patients. You can create your schedule- logistical support provided. Reimbursement is 40% of collection. If interested, please call 312-375-6430.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – CONNECTICUT (HARTFORD AREA)
Available immediately. Looking for a Board Certified Surgeon with strong RF and ankle skills. This 20 year established practice offers EHR, digital x-ray and Noveon laser. All dues, malpractice and health insurance paid as well as 401K available. Excellent compensation. email lynnleblanc@cox.net
ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL FLORIDA
Associate wanted for well-established practice in central Florida. Experienced support staff, malpractice coverage and health insurance provided. Excellent opportunity for a promising future. To apply please go to www.yourcareerinpodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Very busy, two location group practice seeking a full-time, self-motivated and hard-working podiatry associate. Competitive salary offered. Please email CV to: podiatrists@icloud.com
IMMEDIATE POSITION AVAILABLE IN SW FLORIDA
Podiatrist to join a small group must be Florida licensed surgical privileges pending experience. Board Certification or Qualified preferred but not necessary. Some nursing home care and also limited traveling. Excellent pay and lifestyle. Send resume to 1Foot.Ankle@Gmail.com
IMMEDIATE ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL FLORIDA.
Largest podiatry group in Polk County featuring EMR, muscle laser therapy, digital x-rays, vascular and NCV studies, ultrasound machines, shockwave therapy, and much more. We are a very busy office so expect patients the day you start and a competitive salary with bonuses. E-mail CV to contactus@flfootandankle.com
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - USED CUTERA GENESISPLUS LASER
Purchased new July 2011, new handpiece, updated software and re-calibrated in September 2013. This is a great laser for treating toenail fungus, scar reduction & warts. $33,500.00 OBO. Please email dman1hansen@gmail.com or call 801-870-4161
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - PADNET
Padnet vascular testing machine with updated security software (purchased in 2012). Perfect condition only used for training. We do not have the patient population to provide this valuable diagnostic tool. Purchased for 20K, asking 12K (and we will pay for shipping costs). Please contact vcrismali@gmail.com
EQUIPMENT WANTED - LASER FOR TOENAILS
PM News Classified Ads Reach over 15,500 DPMs and Students
Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 15,500 DPMs. for details, click here or write to:bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $119 for a 50-word ad. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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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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