05/09/2022    Allen Jacobs. DPM

Hyperbaric Oxygen is the "Nectar of the Gods": MA Podiatrist (Elliot Udell)

With reference to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, over
a decade ago, the OIG reported the following
compliance issues:
1. Billing Medicare for the use of HBO for non-
covered services;
2. Inadequate documentation to support the medical
necessity for HBO;
3. Giving patients more HBO treatments than
necessary;
4. Failing to perform the appropriate testing or
treatment prior to HBO;
5. Not having a physician present during the HBO
treatment;
6. 32% of all HBO payments were inappropriately
billed;
7. 11% of payments were for excessive treatments;
8. 37% lack of sufficient progress to justify
continuing treatment with HBO.

The Healogics HBO 22.51 million dollar false
claims act liability for improper billing of HBO
therapy (Department of Justice June 2018- Inited
States ex tel. Van Raallte, et al. v. Healogics
Inc. 14-cv-283 (M.D. Fla) and United States ex
tel. Wilcox v. Healogics, Inc, et al. 15-ev-1510
(M.D. Fla ) exemplify the economic impact of HBO
therapy in the wound healing stratosphere.

On another note, we need to stand on the education
and expertise that accompanies the DPM degree. I
for one do not believe that the MD degree
supersedes the DPM degree for the diagnosis and
treatment of foot pathology. It is unfortunate
that the fear of litigation trumped Dr. Udell’s
best judgment for patient care in his described
case.

The DPM degree is a trust placed by the state in
your education and expertise in diagnosis and
treatment of foot disorders. The DPM is empowered
to determine educational standards and testing for
the DPM degree, licensure requirements,
requirements for CME, requirements for board
certification. The DPM degree grants you the
authority to employ any diagnostic or
interventional therapies which you determine to be
appropriate.

Allen Jacobs. DPM, St. Louis, MO

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