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| PM News | |
The Voice of Podiatrists
Serving Over 17,230 Subscribers Daily
December 26, 2015 #5,560  Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A partner of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2015- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
written permission of Barry Block
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| PM NEWS QUICK POLL | |
FINAL CHANCE TO VOTE
Quick Poll
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Do you decorate your office for the holidays? |
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Diabetic Foot Amputations Increase Chance of Early Death: VA Podiatrist
Diabetics should take special care. If you have diabetes, check your feet daily for blisters, cuts, redness, and ulcers. If wounds or other foot concerns are neglected, you might get an infection, which could lead to serious repercussions, including amputation.
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Dr. Bradley Levitt |
Fact: it’s not rare. Every year, more than 70,000 people with diabetes lose a foot. “Diabetics who lose a foot have a 50% chance of dying within five years,” warns Dr. Bradley A Levitt, a podiatrist in Virginia Beach.
Source: Source: Umnia Shahid, The Express Tribune [12/17/15]
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| BIOMECHANICS RESEARCH |
Patients With Foot OA Prefer Orthoses to Reduce Pain
Prefabricated foot orthoses and rocker-sole footwear were similarly effective at reducing foot pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the first metatarsophalangeal (MPT) joint, but patients wore the orthoses more and experienced fewer adverse events than with the rocker-sole shoes, researchers reported. Both types of intervention were associated with an increase in the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) pain domain score, with a non-significant adjusted mean difference between the groups of 2.05 points (95% CI 3.61-7.71, P=0.477) at week 12, according to Hylton B. Menz, PhD, of La Trobe University in Bundoora, Victoria, and colleagues.
However, participants who received the foot orthoses wore their footwear for much longer, at 448 total hours compared to 287 total hours for the rocker-sole group (P<0.001), they reported in Arthritis Care & Research. "Biomechanical factors are thought to contribute to first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis, suggesting that mechanical interventions may hold some promise as an effective treatment for this condition," Menz and colleagues wrote.
Source: Pam Harrison, Medpage Today via the Gupta Guide [12/23/15]
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| EHR NEWS | |
Bill Allows Mass Exemptions From EHR Meaningful Use Penalty
The House and Senate last week passed a bipartisan bill that would help spare physicians a 3% Medicare pay cut in 2017 by rectifying extreme and uncontrollable circumstances created by none other than the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). On October 6, CMS released its final rules for how physicians could comply with Medicare's incentive program for meaningful use of electronic health record systems in 2015. Physicians needed to satisfy meaningful use requirements for only a 90-day period of their choosing, as opposed to the entire year, according to CMS. Failure to do so would mean a 3% reduction in Medicare reimbursement 2 years later.
The trouble was, there were fewer than 90 days left in 2015 when the regs came out, making it impossible for physicians to comply and avoid the penalty. CMS recognized this absurd situation right away and said physicians could apply for a hardship exemption from the 2017 penalty under the category of "extreme and uncontrollable" circumstances. The agency would review the applications on a case-by-case basis, as required by law. The bill, quickly passed by the House and Senate on December 18, now awaits the signature of President Barack Obama.
Source: Robert Lowes, Medscape [12/22/15]
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| E-HEALTH NEWS | |
Complication Rates of 16,000+ Surgeons Published
Using public data from the CMS Inpatient Limited Data Set, which includes every hospital visit by every Medicare patient in the study period, ProPublica journalists created a searchable database of surgical complications that resulted in deaths or readmissions within 30 days due to complications.
The data set spans more than 200 variables, including the hospital, patient age, and gender, ICD-9 procedure and diagnosis codes, dates of admission, and discharge dates. Data journalists spoke to dozens of doctors, surgeons, and researchers who use the Medicare data, to develop the patient outcome measures used. While the tool was in development in 2014, CMS agreed to make unencrypted surgeon identifiers public for the first time, so that patients, procedures, complications, and surgeons could all be linked and examined by all.
Source: Univadis [12/23/15]
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| PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF OF THE DAY | |
Improving the Performance of Medical Practice Staff - Part 6
We recently guided a doctor to conclude that it was time to let go of a manager who didn't have the education, skills, initiative, or interpersonal abilities to be an effective administrator. The physician had realized it nearly three years before, but felt that firing her would have been "traitorous." So the practice hobbled along with high turnover, disempowered employees, and flat revenue as the physician became increasingly unhappy.
When the administrator was finally let go, it was like a shot in the arm for the employees, all of whom stepped up and began to blossom. Although there were a lot of pieces to put back together, the "thinning" was a huge relief for the physician as well, who said, "I should have done this a long time ago. Now I can move forward and build the kind of practice I've always wanted."
Source: Adapted from Cheryl Toth, Physicans Practice
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| CODINGLINE CORNER | |
Query: Are They Now Excluding RFC Coverage?
As of December 1, we started getting rejections on all claims submitted to WPS Medicare for CPT 11721 (nail care) on patients who fully meet Medicare guidelines for this service. The rejected claims state that this is "not a covered service." Furthermore, they started a take-back of all money they paid on claims for this code going back to October 1, 2015. In addition to this, we're also starting to get rejections from all other insurances on this, too (with-take backs) as they claim they are following Medicare guidelines on this.
My staff has had numerous conversations with people at WPS Medicare since the beginning of this month when this started and the bottom line seems to be that "Any nail care/routine foot care is a non-covered service" with no exceptions. I am not aware of any notification regarding this change from Medicare. Did Medicare make a new ruling regarding this recently? Are others experiencing this problem? Is there something we are missing that now needs to be added on to the claims with ICD-10?
Tom Silver, DPM, Golden Valley, MN
Response: With the institution of ICD-10, many payers have taken the opportunity to change policies, although we were promised they would not. WPS and NGS have made the greatest changes we have seen, with some at Novitas too.
I would make sure to download and review the latest version of your LCD. You may want to also contact the CAC rep in your area and ask for some advice, updates, and assistance.
Mike King, DPM, Fall River, MA
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (DME) - PART 1A | |
From: Ira R. Cohen, DPM
Kudos to Dr. Kesselman for shedding light on this despicable practice by auditors. It is time we as a profession supply Dr. Kesselman and APMA with all the ammunition they need to end these unfair practices once and for all.
Ira R. Cohen, DPM, Downey, CA
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| RESPONSES/COMMENTS (DME) - PART 1B | |
From: George Jacobson, DPM
Thank you, Dr. Kesselman. We quit the program a year ago after knocking our head against the wall. I have been sending patients to Hanger as they are close my office. As of two months ago this Hanger office is no long er accepting patients for Diabetic shoes.
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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Perfect for under the mistleTOE? |
Source: Pinterest
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MEETING NOTICES
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| CLASSIFIED ADS - PART 2 - ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS |
ASSOCIATE POSITION - PENNSYLVANIA
A well-established, podiatry practice located in Delaware County, PA, is seeking a BE/BC podiatrist to join our team. The ideal candidate is a highly skilled, personable, and hardworking physician with an interest in partnership. Please forward cover letter and a current CV via email to podiatrymgmt@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – YONKERS, NY
Well established podiatry practice is looking for part-time podiatrist to work 2-3 days per week, including some Saturdays. Will work to get you on as many plans as possible. Competitive compensation package with bonus structure and partnership/ownership opportunity for the right individual. Please submit resume to: Podiodoc@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
available immediately in a busy, 30 year established, single location, high visibility office with digital x-ray, DME, diabetic shoe store, and EMR. Good patient volume and potential for partnership or purchase. Contact samuel10530@yahoo.com.
ASSOCIATE POSITION – MARYLAND, DC SUBURBS
Large, well established, multi-office practice looking for an Associate to begin July 2016. Looking for a highly motivated, surgically trained, outgoing, ethical Podiatrist to join us. Walk in day one with a full schedule. Must be at least Board Qualified by start date with Maryland license. Competitive compensation package with excellent base salary, bonus structure, benefits, and partnership opportunity. Well rounded Practice that covers all aspects of Podiatry. Cover Letter and CV to Sharon at MarylandPodiatry@yahoo.com.
IMMEDIATE ASSOCIATE POSITION - INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
Available in busy three office practice Leading to Partnership. Position available for graduate in 2016. Two locations in Indianapolis and 1 location outside of Metro area. Competitive salary and benefit package including 401, profit sharing, Health insurance. Surgery Center Ownership Available If interested forward letter and resume to Imalament1@comcast.net
ASSOCIATE WANTED - SOUTHWEST, FL
Associate position: now or July '16: must be BC or BQ by ABFAS, ability to work independently on complex cases. Hospital rounds, ER calls, great work ethic, team players needed. Fellowship experience preferred, not mandatory. LOI, LOR from director, CV. great salary + bonus, partnership buy-in. Naples, FL klamdpm@hotmail.com
PART TIME PODIATRIST POSITION - CHICAGO SUBURBS, WILL & LAKE COUNTIES
Part time, excellent supplemental income opportunity in an established podiatry practice. Must be hardworking, personable and self-motivated. Please send your CV to CHIFOOTCARE@YAHOO.COM
PODIATRIST WANTED - NORTHERN NEW JERSEY and NY
Must have NJ and NY licenses and better if already involved/established with insurance and hospitals. Can be part time. Must be go getter and work well with others in great opportunity. Confident forefoot and rearfoot /ankle/arthroscopy training a must. podiatrydocsnj@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION - LOWER HUDSON VALLEY, NY
Multiple locations. 50 minutes from NYC. PMSR RRA. Surgical practice, strong surgical volume. Must be willing to perform all phases of Podiatry. New graduates or experienced practitioners. Salary 110k-120k plus bonus. Please email letter of intent, CV and surgical logs to podiatrypractice@yahoo.com
ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Full-time associate leading to partnership. Immediate position available. Busy office with multiple locations. Full scope practice. Three year residency preferred. ABPS Board qualified/certified. California license required. Benefits included. Inland Empire. Please forward resume to familyfootcenter@verizon.net
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@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.
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| CLASSIFIED ADS PART 1 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE |
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE – K-LASER
K-laser 1200 portable. In excellent condition …. FDA cleared for Pain and inflammation battery operated e-mail footcare@comcast.net
PRACTICE FOR SALE- SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Busy well established successful turn-key Podiatry practice for sale. Active adult community. Professionally designed and decorated. Office is immaculate. Good yearly gross with many new patients. Medicare and cash patients. No managed care. Owner willing to stay for transition. Excellent well trained staff. Click on link to view website. www.turnkey-podiatry.com
PART TIME OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – PHILADELPHIA, PA
Podiatry office space available for use more than half the week in downtown Philadelphia. More than 2,000 square feet of treatment space with digital x-ray, diagnostic US and EHR available. I am looking to segueway out of practice in the next several years and this could be a beginning opportunity for an individual to gradually purchase the practice and create their own right now. Also seeking a preceptor to be involved with the practice. For more info: ediamond7@comcast.net.
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@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. 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.
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either timely or free of viruses.
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