My first order of business this week is to make you aware of a correction.  In last week's article "HIPAA Security - Part 2  -  Biometrics" by Raymond Posa, MBA, he wrote that the Security provisions of HIPAA become effective in April 2004.  In fact, the April 2004 deadline is for a different phase of HIPAA implementation.  The Security Standards he referred to become effective April 21, 2005 for "all covered entities except small health plans."  The CMS web site has a page listing all the compliance deadlines, as well as links to a Glossary page; a "HIPAA Information Series for Providers" available in English or Spanish; and numerous other HIPAA-related sub-sections.  To review the "HIPAA Administrative Simplification Compliance Deadlines" go to http://www.cms.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/general/deadlines.asp

~ Gayle

In a press release earlier this week, the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM) announced the formalization of the new Assistant Membership category in the Academy, which had previously been a doctors-only organization.  While for many years there was only one national-level association for podiatric medical assistants, that status changed when AAPPM opened its ranks to include assistants last year.  This has provided podiatric staff an additional opportunity to network with their peers across the country who have a particular interest in practice management.

In order to become AAPPM members, assistants must be employed by doctors who are also Academy members.  The release quotes Lynn Homisak, PRT, an AAPPM Trustee and Chair of the new Assistants’ Committee, whose experience as a podiatric assistant exceeds 30 years.  The membership requirements are necessary “in order to achieve the management synergy that we believe is so critical to practice success”, according to Ms. Homisak.   “This integration of staff as members of the AAPPM can do a great deal to increase their knowledge, motivation and commitment and make them more valuable members of the practice management team," she notes.

According to Academy President Hal Ornstein, DPM, “Successful practices are the direct result of relating well to your patients and staff, positive attitudes, continuous team-building, happy motivated staffs, proven management strategies and learning how to make change successfully. ….by having….staff members join the Academy and involving them more in the management process, we believe a much higher percentage of practices can become more successful. Doctors and their staffs all need to be on the same page to implement change effectively and make practices more successful, and we can help them  it’s just as simple as that.”

For more information on membership benefits, including a schedule of upcoming meetings, call 978-686-6185, email info@aappm.com or visit http://www.aappm.com/.


*_*   "Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."  -
Reggie Leach   *_*

Starting October 1, 2003 there will be four new place-of-service codes.  These new codes eliminate a lot of confusion that has been in place for years.

POS 13   Assisted-Living Facility.  Congregate residential facility with self-contained living units providing assessment of each resident’s needs and on-site support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the capacity to deliver or arrange for services including some health care and other services. Paid at non-facility rate.

POS 14   Group Home. Congregate residential foster care setting for children and adolescents in state custody that provides some social, health care and educational support services and that promotes rehabilitation and reintegration of residents into the community. Paid at non-facility rate.

POS 49   Independent Clinic.  A location, not part of a hospital and not described by any other Place of Service code, that is organized and operated to provide preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, or palliative services to outpatients only. Paid at non-facility rate.

POS 57   Non-Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facility.  A location which provides treatment for substance (alcohol and drug) abuse on an ambulatory basis. Services include individual group therapy and counseling, family counseling, laboratory tests, drugs and supplies, and psychological testing. Paid at non-facility rate.

Crystal-Clear Coding tips by Dr. Ward are posted on the FootZine web site on this page:
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_C.htm

There is no story that has stood the test of time and delighted audiences of children and adults like the Wizard of Oz.  There are messages galore in this magical story that jump through the screen to teach us many lessons.  We can learn a great deal about how to deal with our patients by paralleling the journey of Dorothy as she begins her travels in Kansas and ends up just where she began.

We many times think about what our practices and days at work would be like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, where the dreams you dare to dream really do come true, where troubles melt like lemon drops and wake up where the clouds are far behind you.  And back to reality, we return to then again look somewhere over the rainbow for that miraculous day in the office.

Dorothy taught us that “it wasn’t enough just to want to see Uncle Henry or Auntie Em.  And it’s that if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard.  Because if it isn’t there, I never lost it to begin with.”  We often hear when speaking to podiatric medical assistants throughout the country that their office is the most disorganized, hectic, crazy, frenzied, confused, messy, cluttered and chaotic.  What is amazing is that we have yet to once hear “Our office is so well organized, immaculate and calm.”  What message does this deliver?

One of the most cherished films of all times teaches us much and we will continue this “Oz-Some” series in the next FootZine with Dorothy’s entry to Munchkin Land.  Until then take some time and watch “The Wizard of Oz”, and keep your ears, eyes and heart open!

Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm

Just a reminder that my old "@attbi" email address will become obsolete June 30th.  Please correct your address book to show me (and FootZine) at  gaylejohnson@footzine.com  and that way any notes, questions, answers or articles you send will be sure to reach me.
Now all you have to do is write!

  ~Gayle

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