PM News –January 17, 2006 #2,486 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD
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--QUESTIONS ABOUT BILLING, CODING OR REIMBURSEMENT?-------
Just send them to PM News by replying to this newsletter.
Your
questions will be forwarded to Codingline for responses
which will
then be posted on PM News. PM News subscribers are invited
to
explore Codingline (www.codingline.com), and register for
[Codingline-L], Codingline's free moderated listserv
focusing on
reimbursement and practice management issues: coding,
billing,
collections, appeals, and more. [Codingline-L] free
registration:
www.codingline.com/silver.htm ). For current Codingline
topics of
discussion and more information about [Codingline-L], see
the end of
this newsletter.
---------PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS--------
Fungus May Pose Risk in Airport Screening Areas: Joseph
Fliers have some reason to worry even before stepping onto
the
plane. Because the Transportation Security Administration
recommends
passengers remove shoes before passing through the screening
area,
many walk through in bare feet.
In studies, roughly 15 percent to 20 percent of the
population has
been found to carry tinea pedis, or athlete's foot. Now,
airports
and manufacturers are offering to put some distance between
you and
the floor.
WARREN JOSEPH, a Philadelphia-area podiatrist and consultant
on
infectious diseases of the foot and leg, says there's sure
to be
fungus in such barefoot-traffic areas.
Source: Reading Eagle (PA)via Wall Street Journal [1/16/06]
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----------- PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT ---------
MI DPM Sanctioned For Not Reporting Felony
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has
summarily
suspended the podiatric medicine and surgery license of
Sharon A.
Stewart, D.P.M., based on her felony conviction in the 46th
Judicial
Circuit Court of Otsego County. Stewart failed to report her
conviction to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code.
On August 17, 2005, Stewart was convicted of Arson-Dwelling
House, a
felony. As a result, Stewart was sentenced to a minimum of
five
years in prison, with 355 days credit and ordered to pay
fines,
crime victims' rights fee, costs, and restitution totaling
$379,938.
Source: T.J. Bucholz, The Michigan Department of Community
Health
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-------- MEETING NOTICES/ COURSES --------------
ATTEND DFCON 06 IN LOS ANGELES 23-25 MARCH 2006
Join more than 1,000 of your colleagues from the U.S. and
20+ other
countries at DFCon 06, the premier multidisciplinary
international
Diabetic Foot conference, 23-25 March 2006 at the
Renaissance
Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. On-line registration and
downloadable brochure at http://www.dfcon.com
<a href="http://www.dfcon.com&q
uot;> AOL Users Click Here</a>
Register by 23 Jan. and save $100. Earn 20 CMEs/24 Contact
Hours and
get the latest on Diabetic Foot research and treatment from
a
stellar international faculty. This conference is for the
entire DF
team—podiatrists, vascular surgeons, and diabetes and wound
healing
specialists. Special rate of $175 at the deluxe Renaissance
Hollywood. Food catered by Wolfgang Puck. Call for
abstracts--must
be submitted by 20 February. Conference Co-Chairmen David G.
Armstrong, DPM, PhD and George Andros, MD
------------
The Spring 2006 Aesthetic Podiatry Symposium will take place
at the
Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, March 31-April 1, 2006.
Presented by the International Aesthetic Foot Society, these
courses
are approved for CME Category 1 credits.
Day 1 will feature lectures on Botox and fillers, Laser/IPL
leg vein
treatment and hair removal, skin resurfacing and tightening,
injection sclerotherapy, mesotherapy, and more. Day 2 will
feature
hands-on training and discussion of business models and
marketing
plans. Guest Speakers include Everett Lautin, MD, and
Suzanne
Levine, DPM, authors of The Botox Book and You Don't Need
Plastic
Surgery.
For more information and online registration, visit
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For a list of all meetings go to:
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-------------QUERIES--------------
Query: Celebrex for Short-Term Therapy
After Vioxx and Bextra were pulled from the market, I have
stayed
conservative and usually recommend OTC NSAID's such as
ibuprofen or
naproxen. I am interested in opening a dialogue with other
practitioners about their opinions on the use of Celebrex
200 mg.
daily for short-term less than 6 weeks therapy in terms of
cardiovascular and medical -legal risk.
Mark K. Johnson DPM, West Plains, MO, markkjohnson AOL.com
--------- CODINGLINE CORNER --------------
Query: CPT 15430 - Acellular Xenogeneic Implant
Is there a corresponding J-code that relates to Oasis Wound
Matrix
(in the J7340-J7350 range)? SADMERC does not have an
assigned code
that I can find. Or does CPT 15430 (acellular xenograft
implant;
first 100 sq cm or less, or one percent of body area of
infants and
children) cover both the procedure and the product?
If the procedure is staged, as is recommended by the maker,
then can
we bill for the product when it is applied during the 90-day
global?
If the process is planned to be repeated on a weekly basis,
as has
been recommended, could we bill CPT 1104x (debridement),
plus the
appropriate J-code?
Katherine Sharp, Woodbury, TN
Codingline Response: When in doubt you can get the correct
HCPCS
code by contacting the SADMERC (Statistical Analysis Durable
Medical
Equipment Regional Carrier) at 877-735-1326. Be sure to have
the
product literature so you can answer their questions. They
are very
good.
Richard Papperman, Jr., CHBME, Cape May Court House, NJ
Additional responses are posted on http://www.codingline.com
-----RESPONSES / COMMENTS------------
RE: Sterilization of Dremel Burrs (Kyle Kinmon, DPM)
As I understand it OSHA protects workers not patients.
Sterile
versus clean applies to patients not workers. Sterile
means "no
organisms present" so there are no degrees of
sterility. I think
clean, disinfected burrs are appropriate for most toe nails
but I
use only disposable disks so as to avoid criticism.
Dwight L. Bates, DPM, Dallas, TX, dlbates04yahoo.com
------------
RE: Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam (Ken Malikn, DPM)
From: John E. Morehead, DPM
I agree with Dr. Malkin's recommendation that we perform
evaluation
and management services for our diabetic patients to fulfill
the
promise that we can help prevent diabetic complications in
the feet.
I have run into one problem, though. The primary care
physicians in
my multi-specialty clinic are very good about referring
patients for
a thorough annual diabetic foot examination; but, how do I
code the
visit when they are completely normal? When I use only the
250.00
code, Medicare rejects the claim because a podiatrist
doesn't treat
diabetes.
If there were anything else to code I would do so: thick
toenails,
tinea pedis, etc. But, many of our patients have great feet
and
there is just nothing else to code. If I use V65.5 (well
visit, no
pathology found), Medicare rejects that also. I have asked
others
about this and have not found an answer yet. Any help would
be
appreciated.
John E. Morehead, DPM, Tulsa, OK, JMoreheadDPMspringerclinic.com
------------
RE: Pre-op Vicodin (David Gurvis, DPM)
From: William Godfrey, DPM
Have you tried PO Prednisone burst or taper dose or
Solu-medrol
pack? What about topicals such as Biofreeze, Mobysil, and/or
Traumeel? Used 3x/day, after 3-5 days can be effective. How
about Lo-
Dye tapings q2-3 days?
Maybe also try: making a pain contract, only so many pills
over so
many days. And have the pt agree to the other modalities as
part of
the bargain. And there's always local anesthetic injections
or
blocks. What about US/Phono or Anodyne if you can - donate
those
physical therapy services? I know you know all of these but
it's
part of some strategies I've tried.
William Godfrey, DPM, Fort Polk, LA, williamtrekkieearthlink.net
-----------CLASSIFIED ADS--------
Position Available – Atlanta, GA
Position available Atlanta area . Excellent opportunity to
join a
well established practice .Candidate needs to be ethical and
motivated. Preferred PSR 24/36. Email CV to drniknafbellsouth.net
----------
Seeking to Share Your Office Space - Los Angeles Area
Podiatrist with 25 years of private practice, surgically
trained and
board certified seeking to rent your office on part-time
basis, will
also be available as Locum Tenens .please email to
superrangbellsouth.net
----------
Equipment Wanted – Portable XISCAN
WANTED Handheld/portable 9x6 XISCAN fluoroscopy unit(s)
wanted.
These are older units in use in the early 90's. Please
contact me at
ilovebunionsaol.com
-------------
Position Available – Naples, FL
Florida, Naples- Great opportunity for PSR-24/36 BE/BC
podiatrist
with strong surgical skills. Hospital privileges available
at 548
bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. Candidate
should
be able to and want to perform rearfoot surgery including
Charcot
reconstruction. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated.
Established practitioner or new practitioner OK. Base,
percentage,
benefits including insurance and 401K. Fax CV to
(239)566-8778.
-----------
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - ESWT
If you are using or thinking of using ESWT, I have a new
machine
that has only been used twice. . There is no Orbasone in the
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a look at http://www.orbasone.com.
Call 1-856-229-2939.
-----------
HOUSE CALL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY- CHICAGO/NORTHWEST INDIANA
Chicago-Home Physicians specializes in house calls to the
elderly
homebound. Full and part-time positions available in
Chicago/Northwest IN. Competitive Compensation, including
malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800.
Fax-773-
486-3548. E-mail sschneiderhomephysicians.com
www.homephysicians.com
---------
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------------
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