This evening I received the sad news of the
passing of Dr. Rich Levin. He was a member of the AAPPM Board of
Directors, a regular speaker at Academy programs, and a contributor to the
Academy newsletter as well as to Podiatry Management magazine.
Although he had planned to start a regular series of articles for FootZine
this fall, he only had the opportunity to answer one question. I regret
that I did not have the opportunity to meet him personally, as he was held in
the highest regard by everyone who spoke of him. My thoughts and
sympathies are with his family.
*_* *_* *_*
A couple of weeks ago, I told you about a request from a gentleman who had
contacted me about resources for very wide shoes, and last week I shared the
email responses I received. In a phone conversation with Dr. John
Bergmann, director of Bergmann Orthotic Lab, I learned of another option that I
wanted to pass along to you.
Dr. Bergmann told me of a pedorthics course he had taken which included
instruction on "split-lasting". This process involves removing
the sole of an extra-depth shoe, widening the sole, and then replacing it on the
shoe. This is apparently an older technique which isn't done much any
more, and Dr. Bergmann recommended that the man go to a very experienced cobbler
or shoe-repair shop to have it done.
I've forwarded all these suggestions to that gentleman, and asked him to keep us
posted on his progress. Thanks to Dr. Bergmann, Holly and Gail for their
help on his behalf.
I love how this works!
~ Gayle
*_* Letters
*_*
From: Donna Sowka
re: Study Guide
Hi Gayle,
Is there a Podiatric Assistant manual or study guide available for someone new
to Podiatry? Could you email me with the title and author or where I can
purchase one? I would appreciate a response either way.
Thanks,
Donna Sowka
*_* Editor's Note *_*
I have already sent Donna a copy of the information we gathered in July (FootZine
Volume 39). Any additional suggestions you can provide for a new podiatric
assistant would be welcome!
~ Gayle
*_* Calendar
*_*
Every year I get requests for information
about "that Florida meeting". So for those like to visit
Florida in January, here it is:
January 16-18, 2004
SAM 2004 presented by
Florida Podiatric Medical Association
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Wyndham Palace
Program Offers X-ray Recertification for Florida Assistants
For more information, visit the FPMA web site WWW.FPMA.COM
FootZine's "Calendar" page is found at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_4.htm
*_* FootZine
Feeture Article *_*
Still Thinking About HIPAA
by Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC
No major HIPAA deadlines stare back at us
from the rest of the 2003 calendar, and we may be inclined to sigh in relief and
even become a little complacent. We have our written policies, and the
posted summaries, and all the patients are getting used to the idea of signing
the acknowledgement form, even if they don’t fully understand what it means.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services (HHS) are not feeling complacent, however, and they have some
interesting links on their web sites.
The OCR web site offers guidance to patients on “How to File a Health
Information Privacy Complaint”, includes an explanation of who/what a
“covered entity” is, describes the complaint filing process, and gives a
toll-free phone number, a link to a printable Health Information Privacy
Complaint Form, and an email link for directly submitting a complaint. It
makes the same information available in Spanish, and also provides key points to
include if one prefers to write a letter of complaint not in the OCR format.
The HHS web site includes many documents and references for providers, such as
"Protecting the Privacy of Patients' Health Information", which
outlines protections for patients, as well as policies and procedures
requirements for health plans and providers. Because this site is also
open to the public, anyone can check on what their providers are supposed to be
doing to be fully compliant. While the general public may not understand
TCS and all the other technical aspects, they will recognize whether the office
is being properly discreet in handling their personal information.
We still need to be “on our toes”……
If you would like to review the information being offered, here are the links:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) web site:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile.htm
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services web site:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
*_*
"To ignore the facts does not change the facts."
- Attributed to "A fortune cookie"
*_*
"Pay attention to little things. Matters unattended grow from bad to
worse."
- excerpted from writings of Jain Sadhivi Nidih Shree
*_*
*_* Crystal-Clear
Coding Q & A *_*
by Phillip E. Ward, DPM
The Question (from Volume 55):
So am I to understand that procedure code 28285 is not just for an arthroplasty
( bone work) but is also for soft tissue ( ie: tenotomy and capsulotomy)
correction of hammer digit syndrome?
Fraternally,
R. Shankman, DPM
The Answer:
Yes, if billed the 28285 includes all work done on the digit.
You could attempt to bill each procedure separately, but the correct way to bill
it is as a 28285. As an auditor, I would combine multiple digital surgery codes
into a 28285 and pay you for that code, not the individual codes (with the
exception of a 28270).
Crystal-Clear Coding tips by Dr. Ward are posted on the FootZine web site
on this page:
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_C.htm
The past year has been a difficult one for
many of us. Even so, I hope that there have been some good things, too,
for each of you to remember when we celebrate Thanksgiving next week. FootZine
will be taking a break as we appreciate the people who are closest to us, but
the Inbox will be open, so feel free to write!
~ Gayle
*_* *_* *_*
