PM News –April 28, 2006 #2,567 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD
A service of http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply
key. Please visit our sponsors at
http://www.podi
atrym.com/sponsors.cfm
COPYRIGHT 2006- No part of PM News can be reproduced without
the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.
********** AFFORDABLE ONLINE CME ***************
You can Earn 15 CPME-Approved CME credits Online for only
$129
http://www.podiatrym
.com/cme.cfm
Choose any or all of over 20 CME articles posted
You Can Now Take Tests and Print Your CME Certificates
Online
******** LANGER LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE (Ad) ***********
Langer, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of our new
website.
The website can be viewed at: http://www.langerinc.com.
Our new website provides customers with access to all of our
companydivisions, brands and product offerings worldwide.
Additional
enhancements include an Investor Relations homepage
providing up-to-
date daily financial information and a new improved
navigationaldesign for easy access to all product lines.
We hope you will enjoy surfing our site. Your comments and
suggestions are most welcome and should be e-mailed to
slorenzo langerinc.com. We're with you….every step of the
way!
-------PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS--------
PA DPM Offers Advice on Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a contagious fungus that thrives in
locker rooms
and on shower floors (because it's one of the few places we
share
with others that is wet and filled with germs that touch our
feet).
However, "the fungus is everywhere," says JOHN
SCANLON, D.P.M.,
chief of podiatric services at Chestnut Hill Hospital in
Philadelphia.
Athlete's foot won't kill you, but it will annoy the heck
out of
you. More than that, however, is its potential to become
something
serious. "Athlete's foot can lead to a bacterial
infection," says
Dr. Scanlon. "If an over-the-counter antifungal cream
or other
remedy doesn't work within five to seven days, you should
see a
doctor." You should also see a doctor if the skin on
your feet is so
cracked that it's painful or is beginning to look more like
cuts and
not cracks.
"I like clotrimazole, which is available
over-the-counter in
Lotrimin AF and some other athlete's foot
medications," says Dr.
Scanlon. Apply Lotrimin AF to the infected area three times
a day.
If you can, let it air dry for 15 minutes before putting on
your
socks and shoes, Dr. Scanlon says. And don't stop using a
cream or
powder until two to three weeks after you notice the
infection is
gone. The fungus could still be inside your foot.
If you suffer from the moist variety of athlete's foot,
soaking your
feet in Domeboro solution (available in drugstores) and
water will
help pull the moisture out. Domeboro is an astringent, which
means
that it dries up the skin, Dr. Scanlon says. "Soak
your feet for
about 15 minutes a day, following the directions on the
package of
Domeboro," Dr. Scanlon says. "You can do this
every day until the
infection seems to be gone."
Source: Men's Health Magazine [4/26/06]
***** PRESENT BOARD REVIEW CME (Ad)*****
PRESENT is NOT JUST for BOARD REVIEW
Why have hundreds of podiatrists who AREN'T EVEN
TAKING
THE BOARDs subscribed to PRESENT Board Review ?
SIMPLE…they find it to be an easy way to stay up on
what's new
in podiatric surgery, diabetic wound care and the treatment
of the
wide array of foot conditions that they see, from the
comfort of
their homes and offices. And earn CME credits for all 130
hours of
lectures.
Call 888 802-6888 or Go to our website at http://www.podiatry.com
and join the many of your colleagues who are already using
this
revolutionary teaching tool.
--------- CASTLE CONNOLLY UPDATE ------------
Talks Progress On "America's Top Foot and Ankle
Doctors"
On Wednesday April 26, 2006, Leonard Thaler, Executive
Director of
NYSPMA and PM Editor Barry Block, DPM, JD met with John
Connolly,
Ed.D, President & CEO, William Liss-Levinson, Ph.D, Vice
President,
Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, and Jean Morgan,
M.D., Vice
President, Chief Medical and Research Officer of
Castle-Connolly
Medical, LTD, publishers of America's Top Doctors. At the
meeting
Thaler and Block provided a comprehensive presentation of
the
education and training of today's podiatric physicians.
All parties agreed to go forward in determining the
feasibility of a
future publication of Castle Connolly guide tentatively
called "America's Top Foot and Ankle Doctors"
in which podiatric
physicians would be listed side-by-side with other
allopathic
specialists involved in foot and ankle care.
Castle-Connolly has requested additional statistical
licensing and
certification data from APMA, NYSPMA, ABPS, APPOPPM, as well
as
Podiatry Management. After this material is provided, a
larger
meeting of representatives of these organizations will be
scheduled
to discuss the logistics of this project.
**** Lazerformalyde® (formaldehyde 10%) Solution: Jump Start
Your
Wart Treatment (Ad)****
Pedinol would like to thank the podiatry profession for
making
Lazerformalyde® (formaldehyde 10%) Solution the #1
prescribed wart
medication by podiatrists according to Podiatry
Management's 2005
Annual Survey.
Lazerformalyde® Solution is a drying agent for pre and post
surgical
removal of warts where dryness is required. Studies have
shown that
formaldehyde is an effective monotherapy treatment for
plantar warts
and dramatically reduces recurrence when used as an adjunct
treatment to curettage.
Lazerformalyde® Solution is available in a 3oz. roll-on
applicator.
For full prescribing information on Lazerformalyde® Solution
and
other Pedinol products, go to http://www.pedinol.com
--------- MEETING NOTICES/ COURSES --------------
American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management Spring
Coding,
Billing, Reimbursement and Practice Management
Workshop.
Sheraton Inner Harbor, Baltimore. May 4-7, 2006
Two great meetings in one! Optional coding, billing and
reimbursement workshop all day Friday and an all-new, two
day
practice management workshop featuring an all-star lineup of
the
best practice management speakers in Podiatry, one half-day
sports
medicine track being put on by the American Academy of
Podiatric
Sports Medicine. Several all-new presentations and the
Academy's
trademark, highly interactive small group round tables.
DPMs,
podiatric assistants and office staff invited.
Contact AAPPM at 978-646-9091; e-mail officeaappm.org; or visit
http://www.aappm.org
------------
For a list of all meetings go to:
www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf
-------------QUERIES--------------
Query: Aaron Bovie
Has anyone had any experience with either an Aaron Bovie 950
or 1250
unit? Was your experience with these units either positive
or
negative and what procedures were they utilized for? Any
info on
either unit would be greatly appreciated.
Scot Zindel, DPM, Lynchburg, VA, szindel926aol.com
----------
Query: Sunrise FootWoRx Healing Shoe
I would like to hear comments from users of the Sunrise
FootWoRx
healing shoe for plantar ulcers.
Dwight L. Bates, DPM, Dallas, TX, dlbates04yahoo.com
***** LIVE WEBCAST2 - GRAFTJACKET(R) - WRIGHT (Ad)
******
You're invited to…view advanced techniques for foot and
ankle soft-
tissue reconstruction. Learn about the regenerative healing
mechanism of GraftJacket Matrix. Interact LIVE with the
panelists.
Wednesday May 3, 7 PM ET & 7 PM PT
Pre-Register Today To Receive an E-Mail Reminder of the Live
Event
http://www
.or-live.com/AdvancedGraftJacket
(Visit same link after May 3 for achived webcast)
Moderator: Gerit Mulder, DPM Featured Presenters: Stephen
Brigido,
DPM, Daniel K. Lee, DPM, John Harper, PhD, Marie Williams,
DPM
Before use, physicians should review all risk information,
which can
be found on the labeling accompanying each GraftJacket(R)
graft
------- CODINGLINE CORNER --------------
Query: CPT 90772
When giving a heel injection for plantar fasciitis, and
billing CPT
20550, can you also bill CPT 90772 (therapeutic,
prophylactic or
diagnostic injection [specify substance or drug];
subcutaneous or
intramuscular) with a "-59" modifier?
I had someone tell me you can bill these together when
giving a heel
injection adding a "-59" modifier (distinct and
separate procedure
or service). It seems, however, that this isn't a separate
service.
Angie Marquez, Fairfield, TX
Response: I'm not quite sure why one would bill both CPT
90772 and
CPT 20550. The doctor is giving only a single therapeutic
injection.
CPT requires you to choose the code that describes what was
done.
Your post states that the doctor gave an injection for
plantar
fasciitis. CPT 20550 is defined as "injection(s);
single tendon
sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar
'fascia')."
CPT 90772 is a "therapeutic, prophylactic or
diagnostic injection
[specify substance or drug]; subcutaneous or
intramuscular." Is the
doctor also and separately giving a therapeutic subcutaneous
or
intramuscular injection - different problem, different
diagnosis? I
don't believe that is the case..at all.
The code to bill is CPT 20550 plus the "J" code
for the therapeutic
injectable supply.
Harry Goldsmith, DPM, Cerritos, CA
-----RESPONSES / COMMENTS------------
RE: Archery Shoe (Marc Greenberg, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents
A quick Google search revealed this:
http://www.onitsukatiger.com.au/shoes/shoes_detail.cfm?
prdID=6&gender=male
Paul Busman DPM ,Troy, NY, brewerpaulaol.com
There is two types of archery commonly practiced, one is
hunting and
the other is target archery, which is an Olympic event.
Hunting
archery uses hunting boots, either leather or camouflage
Cordura
nylon -- usually waterproofed. Hunting boots are readily
available
through specialized hunting catalogs or specialized outdoor
stores.
Target archery is another specialized sport. Unlike target
shooting,
archery seems not to have any regulations for footwear and
therefore
a wide variety of shoes can be worn. Normal tennis or
basketball
shoes are popular. There is a specialized target shooting
boot made
with specific shaft and sole dimensions that aid stability.
This
would probably be the best choice for archers also, but
unless there
is something custom made there appears to be no standard
target shoe
for archery.
Melyvn P. Cheskin MBS., C.Ped., Boca Raton, FL,
Melcheskinaol.com
There are two basic kinds of archery, field archery and
target
archery. In target archery, you stand on level ground with
your feet
about shoulder width apart. Essentially any kind of shoe
except high
heels would be fine. You don't want to be distracted by
your feet
and if you had an ankle that rolled into inversion at the
least
provocation or had significant foot fatigue then that could
be
distracting. So, a shoe with some flare at the heel may aid
in the
prevention of rolling. An orthosis for postural fatigue may
be
helpful.
In field archery there is a series of targets, usually at
different
distances and elevations. The issue here is walking from
target to
target along the course that can have varying terrain. A
hiking boot
or trail shoe with traction for the specific terrain would
be
appropriate. Treat the foot first and then worry about
specific
requirements of the sport. Lateral instability and postural
fatigue
are the same, regardless of the sport.
Eric Fuller, DPM, Berkeley, CA, efuller395trip.net
-----------
RE: Posting Chart Entries Out of Order (William Tabbert,
DPM)
From: Gayle S. Johnson, PMA
Staff in our office also charts things such as phone calls
and
missed appointments. Our charts are set up with a
"documentation
sheet" on top of all other notes. This sheet is
headed with the
patient's name, and has the date noted for every visit.
Any notes
by staff are made on this page, and the doctors may also jot
quick
notes for later reference next to the date of a visit.
Dictation is
printed on single sheets and filed behind the documentation
sheet.
A small check-mark is made next to the date when the
dictation for
each visit is filed. This approach helps us keep track of
outstanding dictation, and keeps entries in chronological
order.
Gayle S. Johnson, PMA, Edmonds, WA, gaylejohnsonfootzine.com
-------------
RE: Tarsal Tunnel Coding
From: Stephen Arbes, DPM
I requested information here pertaining to various coding
possibilities covering a tarsal tunnel procedure. The
answer; "a
tarsal tunnel release is a tarsal tunnel release"
seemed a bit naive
to me. I perform quite a few of these, at least 20 per year,
for
many years, which allows me to claim some experience. It is
always
interesting to me what pathology I find. Admittedly, many of
these
are merely laciniate and porta pedis releases (for which I
use the
BioMet Indianatome) but many patients have additional
pathology that
may not come under the coding of tarsal tunnel release.
For instance, frequently I come across varicosities which
are
sometimes quite difficult to isolate and remove. Can I code
for
removal of varicosities? If lipomas, cysts, hemangiomas,
etc....are
found which requires additional time and expertise, can
these be
coded for separately? There are occasions where spurs on the
talus
or old os calcis fractures impinge on the tarsal tunnel. If
these
are resected can we code separately?
I recently had a scleroderma patient with extensive
sclerosis within
the tarsal tunnel. It took another 30-40 minutes after
entering the
tunnel to, tediously, resect this. Can I code for resection
fibrosis
or resection scar tissue? My basic question is this; what
exactly
are we billing for when we bill for a tarsal tunnel
release/post.
tib. decompression? If procedures are done outside this
definition
can we code for them?
Stephen Arbes, Green Bay, WI, Green Bay, WI
-----------CLASSIFIED ADS--------
PRACTICE FOR SALE – Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas, 30 miles west of Kansas City. Well
established
practice, general and surgical. Gross 250K, Hospital
privileges,
Partnership in medical building. All interested parties
reply to
foothlrsunflower.com
-----------
OFFICE SPACE TO RENT – Bronx, NY
Office space for rent in the Bronx. Share office with
MD/General
Practitioner. Podiatrist leaving in June. e-mail
dturkeeaol.com
for more info.
-----------
ASSOCIATED WANTED P/T Manhattan
Part-time temporary to possible permanent position available
in a
busy Manhattan practice with hospital affiliation. available
immediately, send resume to: podiatrist2004optonline.net
-----------
PRECEPTORSHIP/ASSOCIATE California, Starting Summer 2006
The successful candidate must have completed a three year
residency.
This is an opportunity to learn how to run and practice in a
100%
insurance-free office treating the rich and famous here in
Newport
Beach, California. I will train you on the finer points of
what it
takes to make this happen. Possible partnership after
completion.
Candidate must have excellent Podiatry skills, outgoing
personality,
and self-motivation. Contact Ivar E Roth. DPM 949-650-1147
or fax
resume to 949-650-6434.
------------------
ASSOCIATE WANTED - NEW YORK
Associate Wanted - Rockland County, Rockland County.
Associate with
minimum 5 years experience, high volume established general
practice. Reply with CV to nypodiatry111aim.com
------------
ASSOCIATE POSITION – RICHMOND, VA AREA
Partnership possible after two years. Two office practice.
Palliation; biomechanics/orthotics; woundcare;
office/hospital
surgery. Must have Virginia license. Associate to do most
of the
practice's surgery. Board qualified/certified in surgery
preferred.
Send CV to: Dr. Marc Jay Pinsky; 9550 Midlothian Turnpike;
Suite
104; Richmond, VA 23235; mjpinskyjuno.com.; FAX:
804-320-6627.
-------------
PRACTICE FOR SALE - NEW YORK
FOR SALE - Rockland County. Well established, high-volume
practice,
general and surgical. Gross $500K, hospital privileges;
excellent
lease. All interested parties reply to:metroNYCpodiatryaim.com
-----------
ASSOCIATE POSITION- NEW ENGLAND
Associate wanted to start this summer. Routine care,
diabetics,
biomechanics, sports injuries and steady surgery. Buy-in
for
partnership and ownership of building a possibility.
PSR-24. Office
podiatry skills (residency experience, office observation or
work)
important. Surgical training with focus on core skills
(bunions,
met. osteotomies, neuromas/neurolysis, tendon repairs, some
rearfoot) is important. facne11aol.com, give evening
number (not
cell), hospital name and residency director's name.
-----------
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
country
priced like this one. Will provide training and
installation. Take a
look at http://www.orbasone.com.
Call 1-856-229-2939.
----------------
SUPPLIES FOR SALE
I am winding down my podiatry and orthotics practice soon.
The
following items are for sale: Misc. EVA sheets, Leather
hides and
sides, Buckles and rivets, Cork foot beds, EVA-molded soles
ala
S.A.S., Dies for cutting, sandal straps, insoles, orthotic
shells,
metatarsal, scaphoid, heel and other shapes, Polypropylene
1/16-3/32-
1/8-3/16, Birkocork, Plastazote, Autosoler Atomic 15-ton
clicker
punch press with swivel head, If you are interested, please
e-mail
me : Bowenfootdocaol.com or call (916) 783-0496 daytime
--------------
ASSOCIATE POSITON - LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Immediate opportunity for associate with possible future
partnership. Longstanding practice with privileges at
multiple
major hospital in community. 24/36 month residency
preferred.
Send resume to kentuckyfootdocyahoo.com.
------------
ASSOCIATE WANTED - BOCA RATON-DELRAY BEACH AREA
Full time for growing practice-surgical training a plus-hard
working
a real plus-opportunity of a lifetime-partnership after 1yr.
need
Florida license fax resume to 561-865-2225
---------
ASSOCIATE WANTED - MICHIGAN-DETROIT AREA
Great opportunity-must be hard working, reliable,
responsible and
good with patients & staff-surgical training a
plus-partnership
after 1 yr. Michigan license required fax resume to
248-478-1370
-------------
FOR SALE - MICHIGAN-DETROIT AREA
Michigan practice Detroit western suburbs for sale. 3
offices,
great locations & high gross, buy outright or overtime.
call 561-
213-9400 after 7:OO P.M.
---------
WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75
PM Classified Ads Reach over 7,000 DPM's 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 7,000 DPM's. Write
bblockpodiatrym.com for details. Note: For commercial or
display
ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekaganaol.com
------------
Current Topics Discussed on [Codingline-L]
http://
www.codingline.com/pmnews.php?t=topics
[Codingline-L] registration is fast, easy, and free.
-- Upcoming Codingline.com/LOJON Events and Announcements
http://
www.codingline.com/pmnews.php?t=events
[Codingline-L] registration is fast, easy, and free.
To register, click here:
http
://www.codingline.com/pmnews.php?t=subscribe
NOTE: All Codingline.com/LOJON registrant information is
held in the
strictest confidence and not sold or passed on to outside
vendors.
*Codingline.com and [Codingline-L] are divisions of LOJON,
LLC.
-----------------------------------
Disclaimer - Acceptance and publication by this newsletter
of an
advertisement, news story, or letter does not imply
endorsement or
approval by Kane Communications of the company, product,
content or
ideas expressed in this newsletter. 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.
Guidelines 1) Notes should be original and may not be
submitted to
other publications or listservs without our express written
permission. 2) Notes must be in the following form:
RE: (Topic)
From: (your name, DPM)
Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 300 words or less). Use
Spellchecker
Your name, DPM City/State
Barry H. Block, DPM, JD
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.
DISCLAIMER: Internet communications cannot be guaranteed to
be
either timely or free of viruses.
To Post a message, send it to: bblockprodigy.net
To Unsubscribe, send a message to: bblockprodigy.net
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.
yahoo.com/group/pm-news/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
pm-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.c
om/info/terms/
|