08/16/2023    Paul Kesselman, DPM

Increased Scope of Practice (Lawrence Rubin, DPM)

Some corrections are required to clarify the DM,
ultrasound, and CTP issues:

1) Same or Similar and DME: APMA has been very
proactive since the date this policy reared its
ugly head. APMA has met with every medical
association involved with DME We have submitted
multiple rounds of documentation to attempt to
resolve this. I have worked with AOPA on their bill
to be sure it would not be harmful to DPM and
rather be supportive APMA has been calling for a
ban on drop ship orthotics for years and this is
now part of the proposed legislation.

2) APMA has a seat on the DME Medicare MAC councils
which meets with all four DME MAC. Having this
ability we have made sure that the portals are up
to date and provide free information which
specifically addresses the same or similar. Please
register to these portals. I have a 1:1
relationship with many of the higher ups at all
four DME MAC, the enrollment carriers, and
more. All of which has served to assist many
members with DME issues.

2) APMA has a seat at the RUC where the Ultrasound
Issue was brought up by the ACR. They did not
specifically target DPMs. Their aim was focused
against ortho, rheumatology, sports medicine,
neurology, etc. I can only assure you that APMA
worked with these organizations against these new
policies pushed by the ACR.

What is very important is that if you receive a
questionnaire on CPT codes from APMA and/or the
RUC, you should participate and respond.
This is your opportunity to be proactive!!! Often
our colleagues' failure to respond to these
questionnaires can be responsible for negative
responses from CMS and ultimately our payors..

3) Regarding to the recent CTP policy, APMA does
interact with many other medical associations which
provide and/or manufacture CTP. This council of
providers was largely responsible for delaying a
much worse policy last year than what was just
recently announced.

What we can't be proactive on is things that CMS
suddenly dreams up and throws at us. For all of
these issues, it is important to note that working
alone and being proactive or reactive alone, is far
less effective than working alone!

For all of the reasons above reasons, one should be
a member of APMA.

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Oceanside, NY

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