A Message From Your President...
Hi Everyone.
Another week and another week closer to solving this public health crisis. I know this is an extremely frustrating time of uncertainty. We will get through this! Please find a way to stay positive.
It is with great sadness that I report that Dr. Neil Blatt, a member of the Queens division, has passed away from complications related to the coronavirus. Please remember Dr. Blatt and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you Dr. Art Gudeon for this information.
I hope everyone was able to take advantage of the low interest loans and grants offered by the government and financial institutions. If you need information on available loans, please visit the economic relief section of our
COVID-19 page. The SBA loan money for small business has reached capacity. We are waiting for congress to appropriate more funding for small business.
You should have received the stimulus check from HHS through the cares act this past week. If you did not receive this funding please contact HHS at
HHS.gov. These funds were directly deposited to your business banking account.
It has been reported that COVID-19 can show skin manifestations on the lower extremity. These manifestations may present as a rash or skin changes similar to pernio or Raynauds. I contacted Dr. Bryan Markinson, one of the leading experts in our profession in lower extremity skin cancer and other dermatologic conditions. Dr. Markinson informed me that these reported skin manifestations are not always limited to the lower extremity. They can present on all extremities and the trunk. Dr. Markinson further stated that these "livedoid" skin manifestations are NOT a predictor of severity of the disease. Treatment should consist of supportive measures for blister formation and referred for systemic therapy if vasculitis appears to be present.
As we know testing is improving but still limited. If skin manifestations are the only symptom, then
contacting the primary physician is probably the best option before sending the patient for testing.
For updates on licensing requirements from the office of professions, please
CLICK HERE.
The board of trustees will be meeting in the next few days, testing ZOOM and/or Go To Meeting. We are required to meet face to face as a board several times a year. This may prove to be a cost saving measure and still allow us to fulfil our bylaws requirement.
Please stay safe and healthy!
Dan Keating DPM
President NYSPMA
[New Benefit!] Student Loan Consolidation for NYSPMA/PICA Members in Partnership with MassMutual and Commonbond.
We are excited to announce a new program with PICA, Common Bond and Mass Mutual. The NYSPMA Board approved this program back in January after working on it with PICA over the past year. This exciting new pilot program is open only to members of NYSPMA and PICA policy holders and allows them to refinance their student loan at a lower rate. Please CLICK HERE to talk directly with a financial advisor about your loan or CLICK HERE to view your rates.
NYSPMA PPE Drive
NYSPMA is calling on its membership to help save lives. If you have any PPEs that are not vital to your practice (even a few boxes) CLICK HERE for information on how to donate. If you or your hospital is in need- please reach out to the staff at info@nyspma.org. Unopened boxes are preferred, but the situation is dire and our partner organization, PPE2NYC, is now accepting open boxes as well (open boxes with remaining UNUSED supplies). Supplies needed at this time include, masks, gloves, gowns, eye protection, face shields, thermometers, or hand sanitizer. Thank you for helping us protect our membership and the NY healthcare provider community in this unprecedented time.
NEMO HEALTH
NYSPMA Legal Tip: COVID Resources
By: Matthew S. Feldman, Esq., General Counsel
New York State Podiatric Medical Association
COVID-19 Employment Law Webinar
Coronavirus in Employment Law Letter
COVID Educational Resource PowerPoint
Mr. Feldman is available for legal consultation if needed and can be reached by phone at (716) 852-5875 or by email at MFeldman@feldmankieffer.com
Weekly CPR Billing and Coding Tip of the Week: Advance Benficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Form
CPR Tip by: Hoda Henein
The ABN, form CMS-R-131, has an expiration date of 03/2020. The form is currently awaiting OMB approval for renewal. CMS will provide instructions when it does get approved. In the meantime, continue to use the current form until further instruction is provided.
Tickets at Work
Helping Employees During the Coronavirus Pandemic
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Tickets at Work is establishing new partnerships daily to provide your employees with discounts on everything they need during this difficult time, including 50% off on:
- home technology
- grocery and wine delivery
- television streaming services
- health and wellness subscriptions
- financial resources
- and so much more!
If you haven't signed up yet for an account yet, you can enroll for free using our company code: NYSPMA0617
And to support you personally, we’ve pulled together a comprehensive list of resources the Human Resources community is using to effectively sustain operations, as well as information that can be shared with employees to help them through their unique situations. Our first topic of the series is: COVID-19 Resources for Businesses and their Employees - Mental, Physical, and Financial Health
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CMEonline COVID Webinars
Use the code "NYSPMA" for $20.00 off registration fees.
"Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has broadened access to Medicare telehealth services so that beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. "
There are some important points that you need to know about providing, documenting and billing telehealth services.
The webinar on Sunday will go over all of these points and will end with a round table discussion with what should be a very lively Q and A session.
Not receiving helpful weekly tips from NYSPMA yet?
Your NYSPMA team sends out weekly texts including helpful content such as practice management tips, legal tips, CPR tips, association news, legislative updates, and more. You can always opt-in and opt-out at any time!
Text "NYSPMA" to 8449476386 to sign up!
[FREE] NYS-Compliant Opioid Prescriber Training
DPMs who took this 3-year training in 2017, when this new training requirement was introduced, will need to re-train in 2020
Complete your minimum of three (3) hours of course work or training in pain management, palliative care and addiction for prescribers with online courses through the University of Buffalo or Boston University - free of charge. Use the links below for the course work.
Check out the NYSPMA Fall Prevention Program! Earn 1 CME, FREE to NYSPMA Members
Our fall prevention webinar is ready to be viewed. I am encouraging everyone to view this course for free CME, as we are doing this in cooperation with the Department of Health, as partners in the prevention agenda. Please take advantage of this member benefit, and help advance podiatry and add this important service to your practices. ACCESS THE WEBINAR HERE.
NYCPMConnect has launched!
Sign up now at https://nycpmconnect.com/ for access to an exclusive mentoring and networking community for NYCPM alumni and students!
Featured Member Partner Programs-
Updated Medical Insurance Plans for 2020-New Medicare Supplement!
NYSPMA through Creative Wealth Planning (CWP) offers a variety of medical, dental and eye care insurance with excellent customer service. CWP has just announced a new Medicare Supplement Plan, which can be viewed at www.creativewealthplanning.com/medicaresupplement . Other CWP plans for NYSPMA members can be viewed at www.creativewealthplanning.com/nyspma Creative Wealth Planning, LLC. CWP is an independent insurance brokerage firm with over 35 years of experience, specializing in group and individual medical insurance. CWP can design coverage for you, your dependents, and staff, as well as options for those covered by Medicare. CWP works directly with members to tailor plan options that are best suited to your needs.
NYSPMA: Connect on Facebook & Twitter
NYSPMA has a Facebook page and is now on Twitter. These pages provide Association announcements and updates. We are always looking for great news stories to share on our pages. If you’ve recently been quoted in the media, received an award, launched a new project or have relevant news to share, please email info@nyspma.org.
Poster for Your Office: We have developed an 8 1/2 x 11 Full-Color Poster/Flyer that can be displayed in your office to encourage your patients to visit our consumer site, www.nyfoothealth.com, to stay up to date on the latest foot health news and get updates on diabetes, bunions, heel pain...and more.
