Current issues

Provider Compliance Tips for Diabetic Shoes Fact Sheet: Click here

Provider Compliance Tips for Ordering Lower Limb Orthoses: Click here

APMA’s Membership Campaign Ends Soon!
There’s no better way to convey the value of membership than through personal testimony. APMA invites everyone to talk with their colleagues about the value of membership and refer a non-member DPM to join. APMA will send you a Starbucks gift card for every referral (up to 10), and you’ll be entered to win one of three great prizes. (New members must join by May 31!)

The following are some helpful resources:
Conversation starters for talking with a non-member DPM List of APMA’s services and member benefits Referral form (fill this in to get your Starbucks gift card!) Thank you for helping to grow the profession and our community of DPMs by talking with your colleagues. Learn more about the campaign online at
www.apma.org/grow.

The National 2018: Have You Registered?
This year, the APMA Annual Scientific Meeting (The National) will be held in Washington, DC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the perfect location for you to explore the capital region. Take a water taxi to historic Old Town Alexandria to visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon or head to The National Mall and explore the abundant monuments and Smithsonian museums. For a shorter trip use the complimentary shuttle to check out the entertainment at the MGM Grand, or stay on site and relax at the indoor pool. No matter your interests, make sure to register and book your room soon to take advantage of APMA’s room block and save nearly $100 compared to nearby hotels.
https://www.apma.org/Events/TheNational.cfm

A5513 and K0903 Victory March 20, 2018

APMA is very pleased to announce that after much advocacy by APMA and the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), diabetic shoe inserts fabricated using scanning devices will be reimbursed the same as those inserts made over a positive model of the patient’s foot, effective April 1, using a temporary HCPCS code, K0903. After a lengthy multi-pronged advocacy approach by APMA and partners, CMS reached the decision that as the processes were essentially equivalent, the fee needed to also be identical. APMA is grateful for the partnership with AOPA, the O&P Alliance and the Amputee Coalition, as well as indebted to the congressional assistance Rep. Brad Wenstrup, DPM (R-OH), provided to reach this successful resolution. As this situation does not represent the only area in which medical technology has evolved, APMA is hopeful that it will serve as the correct precedent as to how other technological advancements will be addressed prospectively.

As Congress works to avert a government shutdown, APMA continues its efforts to move its legislation forward. – March 22, 2018

The VA Provider Equity Act (HR 1058/S 1871) remains APMA’s highest priority, and the more than 200 APMA members and students that participated in this week’s Legislative Conference carried that message through the halls of Capitol Hill. The legislation was unanimously passed in the House last summer while in the Senate it has been amended to the Caring for our Veterans Act (S 2193, section 201). There was hope S 2193 would be absorbed into the current omnibus spending package but when the final language was released it was left out of the bill. There are two likely paths forward, both of which bode well for APMA. The Senate could pass S 2193 as standalone legislation because it is necessary for the reauthorization and stabilization of the VA Choice program.

S 2193 could be rolled into a mini-VA omnibus package. These types of bills are traditionally considered and passed near Memorial Day. APMA is meeting with its lobbyists today to discuss our strategy. Members can assist in these efforts by continuing to use eAdvocacy to write to and call your elected officials to request their support for the VA Provider Equity Act.

2018 CASPR Match Week Placement Status – March 23, 2018

Read more about Dr. Bray’s work in Tonga HERE

 

THRIVING PODIATRY PRACTICE FOR SALE!

Enjoy the benefits of practicing in the 11th largest city in the nation and the fastest growing city in Texas: Austin!   Diverse, active, hi-tech, educational.

This successful 33 year-old solo practice is a turnkey business opportunity offered with state-of-the art equipment, substantial patient base, and efficient billing systems. Computers and processing are ICD 10 ready, include Podiatry specific EMR, with billing in-house or with Management Company.

Corner-office suite (2,400 sq. ft.) located in a multi-specialty building with free parking.  Close to affluent residential district, major highways, and local hospitals. Owner is retiring and willing to assist with transition for hospital privileges, patients, and insurances.  Office video available.

Submit letter of intent to:  bestofficeinaustin@gmail.com.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month

APMA has launched its November Diabetes Awareness Month campaign to educate the public about the incredible work our members are doing. The materials for the campaign are easy to use and are ready and waiting for states and individual members to implement during November. Just a reminder: If you have not already contacted us to receive the digital tool kit, please do so now. There’s still plenty of time to implement many of the materials for Diabetes Awareness Month. To receive a copy of the tool kit, please email PR Specialist Nora Younes, nryounes@apma.org.

1 April 2016

Good Afternoon,

Foot Health Awareness Month (April 4—30) provides APMA and its members and affiliates with the opportunity to help educate the public about podiatrists’ education, training, and experience.

Join us in supporting APMA’s “Today’s Podiatrist Keeps America Walking” campaign, which provides a host of new educational materials for both member and patient use, including an online resource page, newsletter, social media posts, feature articles, tip sheets, shareable memes, and more. Many of these materials will be customizable, so you can provide the patients in your community with information most relevant to them.

APMA encourages all state components and affiliates to recognize foot health awareness month and share the valuable resources in this year’s digital toolkit with their local communities and membership.

Visit www.apma.org/walking to download the digital toolkit with all campaign materials.

Thank you for your participation! Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Best,

Nora Younes, M.A
Communications Associate
American Podiatric Medical Association
9312 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-1621
301-581-9221 (direct)
301-530-2752 (fax)
www.apma.org
Twitter: @APMA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theAPMA

 

 

To All Members of the Idaho Podiatric Medical Association – Posted August 4, 2015

 With the recent Supreme Court ruling, access to care is even more important. In an effort to bolster our grassroots engagement for building more congressional cosponsors for our signature HELLPP Act (HR 1221 / S 626), we have devised this grassroots petition (also available at www.apma.org/PetitionForHELLPP) which we ask that you print out, display in your front office and urge your patients to sign.

The rationale for this grassroots petition is simple: the more constituents/voters we can get to weigh in with our elected officials that they must cosponsor this important legislation, the more lawmakers will find it increasingly difficult to ignore our collective voices.

So please take a minute today to print out this grassroots petition, display it somewhere in your front office, and ask your patients to sign it.

We will send out periodic reminders to ensure DPM members are taking this basic grassroots step to engage constituents. And later this summer we will be communicating our process for delivering these petitions to your elected officials. But for the time being, we need you to be aggressively gathering signatures on this petition.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this important grassroots endeavor.

 Sincerely,

Seth A. Rubenstein, DPM
Chair, APMA Legislative Committee
Member, APMA Board of Trustees

Attention all Idaho Podiatrists – Posted August 4, 2015

This information was sent to us from the Division of Medicaid with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Please take the time to read the information and be informed on the upcoming changes that may affect you and your practice.

-IPMA Board Members

“Medicaid recently learned that the site of service reduction had not been applied to podiatrists’ claims since at least 2010 when Molina started.  Going forward, we will be making a change that aligns with both the allopathic and osteopathic physician claims and the midlevel practitioner claims.  This includes a reduction in reimbursement for claims billed for the sites of service listed in the announcement below.  This is the announcement that will be in the August MedicAide newsletter.  In August you will find the finalized document here:  https://www.idmedicaid.com/MedicAide%20Newsletters/Forms/All.aspx

Site of Service Differential Will Be Applied to

Podiatrists’ Claims

Effective for dates of service on or after September 1, 2015, Idaho Medicaid will begin paying podiatry providers 70% of the rate on file, to account for the site of service differential, for claims billed with place of service 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 51, 52, 61, or 62. All other podiatry claims will continue to pay according to the Medicaid fee schedule. Please check the website for the current rate on file.

Medicaid Fee Schedule

http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Providers/MedicaidProviders/MedicaidFeeSchedule

If you have any questions, please contact Lourie Neal, Senior Financial Specialist at the Office of Reimbursement: 1 (208) 287-1162.

 A new handbook section will be added and you will be able to find it here: https://www.idmedicaid.com/Provider%20Guide/Provider%20Handbook.aspx

New Handbook Section will be added

Add section 2.2.6.1

2.2.6.1. Site of Service Differential

For dates of service on or after 9/1/2015, Medicaid will pay a site of service differential of 70% of the numerical fee schedule for claims billed with a place of service:

21    Inpatient Hospital
22    Outpatient Hospital
23    Emergency Room – Hospital
24    Ambulatory Surgical Center
25    Birthing Center
31    Skilled Nursing Facility
51    Inpatient Psychiatric Facility
52    Psychiatric Facility – partial hospitalization
61    Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation

If a person is eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare or other insurance, Medicaid’s payment for services will not exceed the amount allowed by Medicaid minus Medicare’s or other insurance’s payment.

Thank you for helping us to inform the podiatric provider community.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

 Jeanne Siroky, BSN, RN
(208) 364-1897
Alternative Care Coordinator
Division of Medicaid
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Contact Members of Congress – Posted June 24, 2015

June is legislative month and if you have not encouraged your members to contact members of congress on the HELLPP ACT and on VA parity please do so. I will try to keep you informed. Legislative conference tomorrow evening to review progress and ramp up support. To reach me ckratzer53@yahoo.com, 252-521-0511, and please leave a voicemail and PLEASE Remember I am in Eastern time zone. Thanks and I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU THIS YEAR.

Meet Carroll Kratzer, DPM – Posted June 23, 2015

Hello to everyone. Carroll Kratzer, DPM here. I am your new legislative assistant from  APMA Legislative committee assigned to Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, And Washington. . I have been on the committee since April and hope that I can be at your service. When I get the bugs out of my contact lisat I hope to be at your disposal for all legislative needs at help and your suggestions for the committee. I am A 20 member of the HOD, and APMAPAC Co coordinator from NC and we have already our giving goal for this year to the APMAPAC.

2015 Legislative Session – Posted September 15, 2014

The Board of Podiatry is submitting a proposed rule for review during the 2015 legislative session.  The rule has been published in the Administrative Rules Bulletin and can also be found on the Board web page here: http://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=POD

 You can view the rule under the Proposed Laws and Rules link to the left of the home page.

Bylaw Changes – Posted August 2014

The IPMA board would like to propose changes to the state  Association bylaws. Historically it has been challenging to fill the role of Association leadership on a year-to-year basis. The executive board is recommending that all offices be held for a two-year time frame to help alleviate this issue in the future. Members will be asked to vote on this issue when a proposed copy of the bylaws will be sent to each member. We welcome the comments of all association members with respect to this issue.

Recruitment

The executive board is focused on expanding the benefits of association membership to all DPM’s within the state of Idaho. If you are aware of a colleague or friend who has had reservations about joining us in the past-please talk with them about the benefits of membership.