Remember the Mike Myers character on
Saturday Night Live, "Linda Richman"? Remember her instruction
to "talk amongst yourselves"? Like Linda, that's what we've been
suggesting, and lately that's what you've been doing. You've given each
other the topics, and you continue to discuss. Thanks for allowing me to
be your facilitator.
~ Gayle
*_* Letters
*_*
re: Obscuring Names on EOBs
(Volume 50) Multiple Responses
From: Susan Weeks, PMAC
Hi Gayle,
This is in response to Gail Bennett's question regarding names on EOBs and how
to cover them up. We have found that by strategically placing
"post-it" notes on the EOB, we can successfully photocopy the EOB and
them submit it to the appropriate secondary insurance. No marker fumes,
and "post-it" notes can be removed and reused. Good for us and
good for the environment!
Professionally,
Susan Weeks, PMAC
Summit, IL
*_* *_* *_*
From: Anne Thompson, PMAC
RE: The question regarding sending EOBs with secondary claims. We fan fold
the EOB so that the top of the form, and just the particular patient's info are
copied. It only takes seconds this way.
Anne Thompson, PMAC
Chanhassen, MN
*_* *_* *_*
From: Kitty Diamond
Hi Gayle,
I am responding to Gail Bennett, PMAC, regarding how to make copies of EOMBs
for the 2nd insurance. I fold the EOMB 1st right under the heading column,
2nd down to the person's line of information and last under the person's
information. If there is anything else showing that shouldn't be, I cover
it with a
blank piece of paper and then copy. I do the same for the next one and
next
one and so on.
Kitty Diamond
Youngstown, Ohio
*_* *_* *_*
From: Jenny Gilliland, PMAC
Hi Gayle,
I've not "written" to you in a while but that doesn't mean I'm not
reading. This is in response to the question posed by Gail Bennett, PMAC,
regarding blacking out other names on EOBs. Is it necessary to black them
out? The insurance company is bound by HIPAA regulations not to release
the information even on those they don't insure, so why black out the name?
Also, if you black out the name do you also black out the SS#? We do
highlight the name of their insured so they don't have to "hunt" for
them. Is this a good idea or a bad idea?
Bye for now.
Jenny Gilliland, PMAC
Union City, TN
*_* *_* *_*
From: Heather Schafer
re: Billing & Scheduling Software (Volume 50)
I hate my new "medi-crap" system. :-) [Asked if she could
be quoted here....] You most certainly can! The phrase "you get
what you pay for" comes into play in regards to the Medi-Crap System.
Heather Schafer
Anacortes, WA
GiddieGrl@aol.com
*_* *_* *_*
From: Joyce B.
re: NDC Health (Volume 49)
Hi. Re the letter on NDC Health a few weeks ago, I have been having the
same problems reaching a person. I finally phoned the corporate office and
spoke to someone in the office of the CEO. They then transferred me to
someone else who found the person I needed to talk to. You just have to
make a bit of a fuss and explain how disappointed and dissatisfied you are with
their service. If the CEO's office gets enough phone calls, maybe they'll
improve their customer service. Hope springs eternal.....
Joyce B.
Cheyenne Foot Clinic
*_* Editor's Note *_*
After reading Joyce's note, we did find that NDC Health has a "Contact
Us" page on their web site: http://www.ndchealth.com/contact.htm
*_* *_* *_*
From: Marilyn D. Hadden, PMAC
re: Diabetic shoes (Volume 49)
Gayle:
We also use the Dr. Comfort diabetic shoes and are most pleased. They
are great to work with and their service is excellent.
Marilyn D. Hadden,PMAC
Bloomington, IL
*_* *_* *_*
From: Jamie Ancich, PMAC
re: Diabetic shoes (Volume 49, Correction to
answer in Volume 50)
Gayle,
I made an error. Regarding the billing of the Diabetic Shoes, we do not
bill
for the fitting visit. This price is included in the cost of the shoes,
which is billed on the day the shoes are dispensed.
I apologize for my error.
Jamie Ancich, PMAC
Aberdeen, WA
*_* *_* *_*
From: Sharon Hockinson
re: Thanks
Indeed, I am getting more help from this newsletter than anything, anyone,
anywhere! Thanks to those who let me know Moore Medical carries Oasis
Wound
Dressing. We order from them all the time, yet I never would've thought of
them for this item. Many thanks, we called today for pricing.
Medisoft still proves very user-friendly. Scary actually how easy it is.
We haven't yet tried the electronic billing since we have just applied to do
that, but it is coming up very soon. I'll let you know how our billing gal
likes it.
Thanks bunches,
Sharon Hockinson
San Antonio, TX
*_* *_* *_*
From: Donna Jordan
re: Certification and Training
Dear Gayle Johnson, PMAC,
My name is Donna Jordan and I work at Womack Army Medical Center here at
Fort Bragg, NC, as a Podiatry Tech. I have been here for 3 years and I
worked in Private Practice for 3 years before coming here. I love my job
and would like to get my Certification in Podiatric Medical Assistant.
I assist the Physicians in their Clinic and I also scrub in on some of
their surgery cases in the OR. I would like to take the opportunity to
elevate my education in Podiatry.
I feel this would help me in my preferments in the Clinic and give me
more knowledge that involves Podiatric Medicine.
We do have a Resident Program and I want to be able to work in the
Podiatry Clinic and represent a better quality of care along with our
Physicians and Residents.
I learn everyday from our Doctors and Residents and I would like to learn
more so that my performance is at its best for my Profession.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, I look forward to hearing
from you in the future.
Thank You,
Donna Jordan
Ft. Bragg, NC
*_* *_* *_*
From: Robert Reed, CPA
re: Diabetic Shoes and DME/IOD
A client of mine would like to add foot care products, shoes etc. to their
DME practice. Would you please give us suggestions as to a website or other
ways to begin this practice.
Thank you.. Robert
*_* Networking
*_*
Dear Gayle,
I am looking for a podiatry assistant position, since the Dr. I was working for
upped and moved to Arizona. I have over 25 years of experience and I am a
PMAC. I reside in Southern N.J.- Atlantic and Burlington Counties area. I
have wound care experience.
Do you know anyone who might be hiring???
Thank You.
Lynn Ammirato, PMAC
at JJ17SH@aol.com
Notices of positions wanted or positions available, as well as other
"classified" information, are welcome. They are posted at the FootZine
web site's Networking page. Have a look at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_6.htm
*_*
"There is nothing that lightens one's burden so quickly and so much as to
help other people carry theirs." - excerpted from:
The GROWING WORLD; or PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION, and the wonders of Nature,
Science, Literature and Art, W.M. Patterson & Co. 1887
*_*
Here's something to keep in mind when you collect those $20 co-pays. There
have been many news stories in the last week or so about the new $20 bill, and
there is also TV and print advertising by the U.S. Treasury Department to try to
make the public aware of the differences between the older bills and the new
design. The Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and
Printing has a web site that shows both front and back views of the bill, and
also explains some of the new anti-counterfeiting features. Here is their
link: http://www.moneyfactory.com/newmoney/
FootZine's host is going to be getting a new server this weekend, and it
should mean more memory and more security. But over the weekend there may
be times when the web site and email at "FootZine.com" will be
temporarily disrupted. If your email to FootZine
"bounces", please try again later, or feel free to use these alternate
("mirror") email and web addresses:
footzine@comcast.net
http://home.comcast.net/~gaylesjohnson/GSJ-web_1.htm
Either way, you can still write!
~ Gayle
*_* *_* *_*
