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FootZine,
Volume 13 |
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| Oh, boy! New year, new virus.......
"Yaha"?? The ever-reliable Norton AntiVirus folks
have brought to our attention the latest worm virus variation, which
is reputed to be worse than our old friend, Klez. They say,
"Due to an increase in submissions, Symantec Security Response
has upgraded this threat from a Category 2 to a Category 3 as of
December 30, 2002. "W32.Yaha.K@mm is a worm that is a variant of W32.Yaha.J@mm. This worm terminates some antivirus and firewall processes. It uses its own SMTP engine to email itself to all the contacts in the Windows Address Book, MSN Messenger, .NET Messenger, Yahoo Pager, and all the files whose extensions contain the letters HT. The email message has randomly chosen the subject line, message, and attachment name." Here is the link to the page at the Symantec web site with more information, as well as a "removal tool" incase you fall prey to this worm: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.yaha.k@mm.html Most likely McAfee and other reliable anti-virus services and sites will also have the needed information and removal/repair tools. I read a long list of the subject lines and "attachment" titles that have been used by this worm to try to get people to open it. I'm amazed at what they will try! Time to practice a little high-tech Infection Control..... ~ Gayle *_* Letters
*_* From: Sue Ruppre: Cast Coding Can anyone spell out when casts and/or cast supplies are covered during the postop surgery period and how you are billing for these? I recently returned after a 2 year hiatus to a podiatric office and noted they were now billing for the cast code during the post op (29405) and sometimes getting paid....I was taught this was not a covered expense during postop, but cast supplies may be. My concern are the ones who are paying out for the cast code (29405) may come back to haunt us in the future, requesting refund due to it being done during the postop. Also, is there a new code for cast supplies since 2000? I am relearning some of this and any input is appreciated on this angle of billing!!! Final question....what is a good tool and/or seminar for brushing up on podiatric billing and coding??? Thanks, Sue Rupp *_* Editor's Note *_* Sue, I'm not sure I know where you are, so I can't be sure what is available in your area. My first suggestion would be to subscribe to Codingline.com. Codingline Silver, a listserv published daily, is available at no charge. Additionally, Dermik sponsors the monthly CodinglinePRINT, which is available from your local Dermik representative. Codingline also gives seminars around the country, the next being in Michigan on February 8, 2003. They also have a CD available, the "Codingline California Seminar CD", which covers 6 hours' worth of CPT, E/M, ICD-9, modifiers, etc. It happens that the editor of Codingline.com, Dr. Harry Goldsmith, and the editor of CodinglinePRINT, Dr. Rick Horsman, will be the featured speakers at a Washington State insurance meeting next weekend, and I definitely plan to be there! The direct link to register for Codingline Silver is www.codingline.com/silver.htm. Codingline.com is also included on the "Links" page of FootZine.com ~ Gayle *_* Networking
*_* WANTED: Full-time back-office position with
Drs. Bachman and Stern, in Spring and Tomball, TX.FAX resume to Alice @ (281) 251-3350, or call (281) 370-0648 for more information. You can find additional Networking listings at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_6.htm *_* Gems
of Practice Management
*_* Attention to the "moments of truth",
those brief encounters that have little to do with medicine but much
to due with patient satisfaction, are critical to a successful
practice. Every brief interaction that the doctor and staff
has with a patient is an opportunity to sweeten or sour the
relationship. Patients often reflect that they do not care how
much you know until they first know you care.by Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS and Lynn Homisak, PRT "The Moment of Truth" It is important to manage and focus on the moments of truth to achieve your highest measure of patient satisfaction. A patient cycle survey can help to identify and evaluate the moments of truth in your office. Each staff member should be responsible for a short list of "moments of truth" to monitor and note over a one-month period. The "moments" should be assessed from the first phone call by a patient to their being discharged. A list of positive and negative "moments" should be kept and discussed at an office meeting at the end of the one-month period. Two weeks later, meet for each physician and staff member to give specific suggestions in areas that necessitate improvement. Regular assessments should then be reviewed at office meetings to monitor areas that need improvement. It is often the 5% that makes 95 % of the difference. Attention to details is what can give the competitive edge in your community. Simple things like the quality of copies, fresh paint, no scuffmarks on the wall, that little extra "have a nice day" or "thank you" when a patient leaves the office, name tags on each staff member, etc., are what make a considerable difference. The natural anxiety that a new patient has when visiting your office can be significantly reduced by paying attention to the moments of truth. The result will be greater patient retention as well as a more enjoyable work environment . Now is the moment! Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm *_* *_*
*_* The fun and frivolity of the holiday season,
with the abbreviated and punctuated work-weeks, the endless parade
of (no-cal, of course) treats, is over. Back to school, back
to serious full-time work, back to the drawing board.......
Remember to take the occasional breather, though. And don't
forget to write!~ Gayle *_* *_*
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DISCLAIMER: Acceptance and publication of any letter, article, news item
or advertisement does not necessarily constitute or imply approval or
endorsement by myself of the product, idea, or content therein. I reserve
the right to edit or to not publish any material received. Any health- or
legal-related information is for educational purposes only and should not
be construed as medical or legal advice or a substitute for the advice of a health
care professional or attorney. Information pertaining to legal matters should not Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC |
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