FootZine will not be published next week, as I will be at the Washington State (WSPMA/WSPMAA) annual meeting in Spokane.  I am looking forward to the educational opportunities there, and to getting together with those people that I only get to see once a year.  There has been a great deal of publicity about the renovation of the Davenport Hotel and what an elegant place it is, so that will be a treat, too.  Earlier announcements have already pointed out that the WSPMA/WSPMAA Awards Banquet will be a formal affair, which seems appropriate in such a setting, and sounds like a lot of fun to me!

Best holiday wishes to you all in this season of renewal and change. 

  ~ Gayle

From:  Ann Orminski
re:      Medical Inventory Software

Hi, Gayle,

I'm looking for suggestions regarding medical inventory software for the podiatric office. Opinions or experiences anyone would like to share on the subject??  I'd love to hear!
Many thanks,

Ann Orminski
Central Washington Podiatry Service
ann@cwpods.com

*_*    *_*    *_*

From:  Howard Dinowitz, DPM
re:      Co-Pays (Volume 71)

A note for New York participating G.H.I. [GROUP HEALTH INC.] DPMs:

Most N.Y.C. employees' co-pay just went up to $20.00 April 1st.
All patients got notice, most play dumb in the beginning.

Good luck,

Howard Dinowitz, DPM

*_*    *_*    *_*

From:  Lynn Homisak, PRT
re:      AAPPM Assistant Teleconferences

Assistant Friends,
 
Just wanted to give you an opportunity to join us for our next American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management assistant teleconference scheduled for Wednesday, April 14th from 9:00-10:30PM Eastern Time.  The two topics this month will be "Conserving Time and Materials" and "Teamwork" and it's a wonderful way to connect with each other to share some successful practice management tips one-on-one with each other.  If you are interested in participating or would like more information about them, please feel free to email me (lynnprt@msn.com).  We are very grateful to Moore Medical for supporting this assistant-only focused project for our AAPPM members!
 
And speaking of Moore Medical who also sponsors the Podiatry-OnLine website...if you haven't visited there recently, I urge you to do so today!  Those who are already subscribers are receiving e-"news" from the new Podiatry-OnLine Team on a regular basis, but they have also initiated an informative "Q&A" section (partnering with the Academy) where subscribers can ask practice management questions and get online responses.  There are many staff-related questions that arise and in fact, some of this week's questions deal with "incentives" and "scheduling."  If you're not already registered...check it out(www.podiatryonline.com) and sign up. 
 
Still haven't found out what our Academy is all about??  Visit our website.... www.aappm.com or email me!  We're working on a bunch of new and exciting projects and would love to have you take part in them with us.
 
Happy Holidays to all!
Lynn Homisak
Trustee, American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management


*_*
 
"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
  -  Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987), The Philosophy of Andy Warhol

*_*

Hi Gayle,
    
I have two items for sale that someone might have some use for.

1) Whitehall Portable Whirlpool Model JO 80. This is the larger volume model which includes a thermometer for temp regulation and removable and adjustable turbine.
I'm asking $500. I will deliver it if the buyer is in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area otherwise buyer to cover costs for shipping.

2) A Stryker Cast Cutter with blade. $350
 
Both items are in great working order and are ready for delivery. I can be emailed with any questions  at WARNXB@aol.com  or voice mailed at (206) 282-2703.  Thanks for your great service!

Bill Warnekros, DPM
 
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

This is the first in a series of “Mini-Gems”, taken from the extensive DME and IOD writings by the late Rich Levin, DPM. Thanks to Dr. Ornstein for making them available for us to share with you.

Introduction:  As the health insurance industry in this country continues to change and challenge every practicing podiatrist, it is important to solidify those services which are the hallmark of our profession. Over the past few years we have each experienced steady declines in the reimbursement for invasive procedures and the dropping of coverage for certain non surgical procedures. I have experienced an overall decrease in the private insurances that are covering orthotic therapy for their insured members. It seems that this is one of the first benefits to be deleted from a health insurance plan’s benefits package in a “cost saving” mode. This leaves many of our patients who need orthotics the choice to pay out of pocket for the devices or not have the devices made for them at all. It is up to each practitioner to provide the necessary information for the patient to make an educated decision as to accepting the proposed orthotic therapy.

100%  Satisfaction Guarantee: I make this offer to the patient when I present my treatment plan to them which includes orthotic therapy. This is especially beneficial for patients who must pay out-of -pocket for their custom made orthotics. This immediately helps to relay apprehension that they are spending a sum of money for something they are not quite sure about. I can tell you that in 12 years of offering this guarantee I have had to refund money twice to patients, but because of the offer I have made many more devices then I would have without the guarantee.


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

I have been thinking about this (hopefully not too simplistic) analogy recently.  Aren't work relationships a bit like the way shoes are supposed to fit?  Not too tight and not too loose.  Comfortable but not too casual.  Professional in appearance but not too formal.  And even though they once fit well when they were new, someday they may wear out or break down and begin to hurt us.  Eventually, and painfully, we know when it is time for a change.  And isn't it tough to let go of a "pair" with a fit that we have gotten used to when everything else points to time for replacement?  Fearing the new, or the possibility of something worse than what we already have, we drag our sore feet.  Sometimes there is new life for old, weary "soles" and we can recycle or repair damage and ravages of time, but one day it is time to go shopping.  

What can propel us is that energizing feeling of renewal that we get when given the chance to explore new possibilities, ever mindful of past experiences as we check that new fit and style.  And certainly fashion comes into it.  Times change and so do we as individuals, and what worked for us before may not be right for us in the new season ahead.  It also seems that in a way our job, our profession, is something that we wear for all the world to see, so that it consciously makes a statement about who we are deep inside.  This inevitably colors our choice, despite any basic utilitarian needs for survival.  Some of us have to replace our shoes often and that can cost us dearly.  Others seem to find that pair that seems to survive through many cycles of change, and they are lucky or wise.  In the end, only we know what is the right fit for us and when it is time to make a change. 

I always recommend walking around in the store for an extra few minutes in a new pair of shoes before deciding on the purchase.  Likewise, we can help ourselves a great deal if we find out as much as possible about prospective employers or employees before starting a new relationship with the ultimate goal of a "perfect fit."

~  Gayle

*_*

"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance."
  -  Harrison Ford (1942 - ), quoted by Garry Jenkins in Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero

*_*

The word is that the great new chocolate-and-coffee shop will be opening this weekend in the neighborhood where I work.  Perfect timing, with the weather now approaching chocolate-melting temperatures.   I'll be sure to visit them on Monday!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and if you have a quiet moment, feel free to write!

~ Gayle

Copyright 2004 Gayle S. Johnson.  All Rights Reserved.
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 letters published are the property of FootZine. Any health- or legal- and financial- related information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal or financial advice, or a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional, attorney, financial advisor or any other consultant or professional. Information pertaining to legal matters should not perceived as legal advice, nor should discussion about such issues as Medicare, coding, and billing be considered as definitive. All content is presented as being only the opinions of the contributors and is for educational purposes only.

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