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The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 15,673 Podiatrists Daily
December 16, 2013 #4,942  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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| PODIATRY AND HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION | |
Podiatrists Added to Senate Version of SGR Bill
On December 12, the Senate Finance Committee held a markup of a legislative proposal related to repealing the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) for determining physician reimbursement of Medicare services and implementing healthcare extenders. The Committee considered the following bill: SGR Repeal: "The SGR Repeal and Medicare Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2013" introduced by Senator Baucus (D-MT), would repeal and replace the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) while tying payments to quality and efficiency and incentivizing alternative payment models. Additionally, it contains permanent funding for some 'extenders' while consolidating and winding down others.
Senator Schumer (D-NY) offered an amendment (Schumer #4) which, as he described it, would enhance patient access to podiatrists while recognizing them as physicians under Medicaid guidelines. He stressed the need for expanding podiatric care, particularly among poor communities where diabetes rates are high. He noted that podiatrists have been defined as physicians under Medicare but not Medicaid. He said the amendment would not mandate any new Medicaid services or benefits. The amendment was adopted by a voice vote.
Source: Williams & Jensen, PLLC, Congressional Markup Report [12/13/13]
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
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| Results of Last Week's Poll |
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| PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE - PART 1 | |
NY Podiatrist Provides Winter Running Shoe Advice
Most walking and running shoes are well ventilated and composed of mesh. This is great in the summer when your sneakers can start feeling like greenhouses, but in the winter, that perforation can let in as much air and moisture as it lets out. "Dampness is more of a problem in cold weather," says Dr. Karen A. Langone, a board certified podiatrist, past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, and current treasurer of the American Association of Women Podiatrists. "It's not going to dissipate as much, so you're going to retain coldness more than you would otherwise," which can put you at risk for thermal injuries such as hypothermia or frostbite. Standard sneakers may not have inadequate traction for slippery conditions.
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Dr. Karen Langone |
The fix: Don't exercise until your feet get cold and then go home. "If you wait to feel discomfort, you may find that it's too late," says Langone. Instead, take preventative measures. For some, that means donning wool socks. Others may need to switch to a waterproof shoe. Whatever you do, don't buy oversized shoes and then wear multiple pairs of socks. "Extra-large shoes can cause injuries," says Langone.
Source: Danielle Kosecki, The Fresno Bee [12/12/13]
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| PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE - PART 2 | |
IL Podiatrist Not Surprised by Skater's Decision Not to Compete in Olympics
Dr. Robert A. Weil met Evan Lysacek in 1996, when the Olympic champion was then a 10-year-old kid skating at All Seasons Ice Rink in Aurora under the guidance of coach Candy Brown Burek. “Evan was already special at that age,” said Weil, a specialty-sports podiatrist, who has crafted Lysacek’s custom orthotics for nearly two decades, a vital item which helps to keep a skater’s lower body in alignment.
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Dr. Robert Weil poses with Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek after he won his gold medal in 2010 |
On Tuesday, Lysacek, the Naperville native, announced that he would not compete in the 2014 Sochi Olympics because of a torn labrum in his left hip that resulted from a fall on Aug. 21 as Lysacek attempted a quadruple jump. "I sent Evan a text telling him how proud I was of him, and he replied with something along the lines of 'Thanks Doc, tough day.' He’s a man of few words when he’s locked in. I knew the reality after I had been in contact with him over the last few months. His progress was slow. He was hurting and trying to fight through it," Weil said.
Source: Naperville Sun [12/12/13]
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| PODIATRIC PRODUCTS IN THE NEWS | |
SafeStep Acquired by Orthotic Holding, Inc.
Orthotic Holdings Inc., a global leader in lower extremity orthotic devices and durable medical equipment ("DME") solutions for healthcare providers, has announced the acquisition of SafeStep, LLC ("SafeStep") to the podiatry market. SafeStep is the latest addition to the family of OHI brands that includes Langer Biomechanics, Arizona AFO, and The Orthotic Group.
SafeStep, founded in 2000 by Josh White, DPM, CPed, and Richard Krouch, provides diabetic footwear and DME solutions to over 3,000 medical practices, offering over 500 shoe styles from 8 different manufacturers. "The acquisition of SafeStep is consistent with OHI's vision of creating a complete continuum of care for our healthcare partners," said OHI President and COO, Jason Kraus.
Source: Marketwired [12/12/13]
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| PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW | |
MI Podiatrist Vows to Fight Medicare Fraud Charges
A Grand Rapids podiatrist is disputing allegations from federal investigators who say he intentionally billed Medicare for $153,378 in services he did not perform. Dr. Martin Glenn Hoffmeister was named in a 67-count indictment unsealed on Thursday, Dec. 12, in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
The doctor's reaction to the accusations were swift and clear. “It’s not true,” Hoffmeister said. "It's not founded in fact." The government, said Hoffmeister, submitted false claims for services not provided, specifically, nail avulsion surgeries in which a toenail or part of a toenail is removed.
Source: John Agar, Mlive Kalamazoo [12/12/13]
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| ON THE LECTURE CIRCIT | |
AZ Podiatrist Joins Fellow Innovators at TEDx Event
Dr. David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and co-Founder of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) joined visionaries in neurosurgery, integrative medicine, big data, geo-engineering, Native American mythology and the arts in a sold-out event at Tucson's historic Rialto.
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Dr. David Armstrong at TEDx Tucson |
Armstrong's talk, which examined in detail the scientific and philosophical boundaries of groundbreaking technologies that he and his colleagues worldwide are working with to merge consumer electronics with medical devices, covered works from intelligent textiles to brain computer interfaces.
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| QUERIES (CLINICAL) | |
Query: Neuritis of the Plantar Digital Nerve
A 57 year old female underwent an Austin bunionectomy and tailor's bunionectomy approximately two years ago. Six months post-op, she started complaining about pain in the plantar 1st interspace. I diagnosed a neuritis of the plantar digital nerve lateral to the fibular sesamoid. The patient was treated with orthotics, padding, NSAIDs, and cortisone injection, all without success.
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Neuritis of the Plantar Digital Nerve |
I sent the patient for two second opinions. One doctor gave her a cortisone injection under ultrasound, which gave relief for about one week. MRI and ultrasound were both negative. Has anyone encountered this problem and if so, how did you treat it? The patient is hesitant to undergo additional surgery.
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| QUERIES (NON-CLINICAL) | |
Query: Performance Measures for Podiatrists
I work in a multi-specialty clinic, and we are currently in negotiations with a hospital to purchase our clinic. We are trying to determine compensation as it pertains to performance bonuses. The other physicians have easily identifiable measures, e.g., HgA1C for internists, PSAs for urologists. I can use number of patient visits, but I can't come up with any measure that is quantifiable besides numbers of patients, surgeries, injections, etc. Is anyone aware of anything we can use to help determine bonus performance measures? Or can you point me in the right direction?
Charles H. Allison, DPM, Bluffton, IN
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) - PART 1 | |
From: Charles Morelli, DPM
Consider using the Arthrex CPR Mini Scorpion system, the same one that is used when addressing a plantar plate repair. Even though you are not using this system for that purpose, it can be used to address this deformity. Since the met head is already removed, suture into the plantar plate and secure the base of the proximal phalanx. Tie it a bit more forcefully on the medial side while plantarflexing the toe. You can even throw a K-wire down the toe as well, and maintain fixation for 5-6 weeks. Stabilize the toe with one of the many bandages that are available for post-operative stability. Although not ideal, you can always consider syndactylizing 2+3. These are difficult cases.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (CLINICAL) - PART 2 | |
From: Paul Busman DPM, RN
For some mysterious reason, some kids just toe walk. Sometimes, putting a 1/4" or so heel lift into the shoe, thereby functionally bringing the ground up to the heel, seems to give the child a kinesthetic sensation of heel contact and encourages him or her to walk more normally. In time, this lift can be reduced until the child walks normally without any lift. By all means, rule out neurological or other organic etiologies, but keep this simple trick in mind.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (ICD-10) | |
RE: Unexpected Consequence of ICD-10 Switch
From: Richard Rettig, DPM
In preparing for ICD-10, I did what I thought would be a perfunctory call to my practice management software company, Visionary Medical Systems (one that has a sizable podiatry user base, as it was once promoted directly to podiatrists). Along the way, it was bought up by a larger company who also bought up other systems (familiar story - same thing happened with Medinotes, et al.).
Converting to ICD-10 would involve a large commitment of resources on their part, so they are electing to sunset all but one of their programs at this time. Oddly, they have done nothing to notify anyone of this. I feel bad for all those who will learn of this for the first time here. They offer another program, but only the demographics will be able to transfer over. It seems that none of the current programs I have tested compare in price to Visionary for clearinghouse submission and ERA.
I am currently looking for a new PM program (not EMR), and welcome any suggestions. Prime factors will be ease of use and price structure, and interactivity with an existing Medinotes program.
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 1
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES) | |
RE: Podiatrists Added to Senate Version of SGR Bill
From: Michael Davis, JD
Michael Goodwin, President of OPEIU completed a call with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) Thursday afternoon. The Senator called President Goodwin to tell him that the Podiatry Amendment was in the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Bill.
The Senate SGR Bill went through markup in the Finance Committee Thursday. Senator Baucus is working to repeal the SGR and eliminate the annual deadline that the current SGR causes. Senator Schumer said...
Editor's Note: Michael Davis' extended-length letter can be read here.
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (PM JURY VERDICT REPORTER) | |
From: Ivar E. Roth DPM, MPH
Just like there are competent and incompetent doctors, there are honest and devious experts. We should all not rally around an incompetent fellow podiatrist just because he is a fellow colleague. I have seen really bad podiatric doctors defended by other podiatrists who are equally as inept and dishonest. This also is a despicable act. Real injured parties need to be compensated fairly. What if your mother had malpractice performed on her. Would you turn a deaf ear?
We, as podiatrists, must uphold the profession first and defend both for the injured party, innocent doctors, and against any incompetent colleague. It is simply what we must do. So, just because a fellow podiatrist testifies for the plaintiff does not make him a traitor. Every case is different and it really comes down to the facts of the case. In reality, truth is powerful and hopefully (but not always) prevails.
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MEETING NOTICES - PART 3
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| CLASSIFIED ADS |
PRACTICE FOR SALE - BRIARWOOD, QUEENS
Part-time practice with potential for full time. practice located in the same building with a primary care doctor (great referral base). A block from Grand Central Pkwy and subway station. Serious inquiry only tospecialtouchfootcare@gmail.com.
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.
PART-TIME PRACTICE FOR SALE - NYC
Great Opportunity! Retiring podiatrist selling part time (18-20 hrs/wk), fully equipped, multi-disciplinary practice upper West Side of Manhattan. Densely populated, street level location near subway. 27 years at location. Option available to expand to full time or to share with eventual purchase. Reply to kappy105@yahoo.com. In subject please write: West Side Office.
ASSOCIATE POSITION - ALBANY, NEW YORK
Exciting opportunity to join a busy, growing and progressive practice with great support staff. Need someone well qualified, motivated, ethical, and personable. Very competitive salary with bonuses. Please email cover letter and CV to Kfriedman@albanypodiatry.com
ASSOCIATE POSITIONS- NY AND PA
We are currently looking for podiatrists to see patients in Nursing Facilities in Central New York, North Eastern New York, Northwest Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh PA. Please contact me at doconcall02@aol.com.
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 - NEW YORK/ NEW JERSEY
Looking for experienced podiatrist or 2013 residency graduate who is currently seeking to run a practice within a multi-specialty practice(s). Must currently be on Medicare and at least three to five insurance plans or have been accepted by those plans. Should be motivated and committed to be part of a healthcare team. Extremely competitive salary with the long term relationship in mind. Must have a minimum of one full day per week available and could be up to five days. Opportunities in several areas of NY and NJ areas with new opportunities becoming available. Podiatry8888@yahoo.com
IMMEDIATE OPENING - SOUTH JERSEY
Exceptional opportunity for a full-time, surgically trained podiatrist to join a busy, well rounded practice covering all aspects of podiatry including; surgery, wound care, and sports medicine. Must be highly motivated, personable, and have good communication skills. The practice is affiliated with a hospital residency program. Opportunity for future buy-in/partnership. Please send cover letter and CV tosuperstarstaff1@gmail.com. In the subject line, please write, "I am your next associate."
ASSOCIATE POSITION - BOSTON SUBURB
Excellent opportunity to join a well-established practice. Located in western suburb of Boston. Office includes EMR, digital x-ray, orthotic scanner. Seeking personable, enthusiastic, motivated associate with goal to become partner. Practice includes surgery, sports medicine, general podiatry. PSR 24/36. Send CV to: jstewartdpm@comcast.net
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
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 - 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 - CHICAGO, IL
full-time position to treat homebound patients in Chicago; salary $100K plus bonus based on 40% of collection; car allowance plus malpractice insurance offered; full logistical support provided. If you interested in part-time position, similar conditions can be prorated. If interested, email to dpms2@hotmail.com
ASSOCIATE/PARTNER - CENTRAL FLORIDA
Busy two office, two doctor practice looking for a motivated, hard-working individual for associate leading to partner. Current partner wants to retire. Our practice enjoys a diverse patient population from general podiatry, diabetic, wound care and surgical patients. Full podiatry privileges at two hospitals and surgical center. We are offering a competitive salary with incentives. Malpractice and health insurance, as well as all fees and dues covered. Must have active Florida license and be at least board eligible. Please forward CV and surgical log to: footpainbegone@gmail.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – BRITISH COLUMBIA
Beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Needing experience associate for 3-office practice Reply todr.cole@shaw.ca
EQUIPMENT WANTED - LOOKING FOR A TOENAIL LASER
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – USED PINPOINTE LASER
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Used podiatric equipment for sale from practice with 2 offices. Items available include, without limitation, several treatment chairs, whirlpools, laser, hand instruments, and routine supplies. Call 914 636-7836.
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
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.
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ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS
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employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the
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prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please
immediately notify me and you are hereby instructed to delete all
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