A Message From Your President...
Hi Everyone,
I continue to hope for a speedy end to this crisis.
President Trump and congress approved another stimulus bill for small business. The program includes $310 billion for the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). Those of you who may benefit from this program should apply as soon as possible. The money appropriated for this program will quickly run out. You can apply for this money through any SBA lender.
Congress and the president have now approved 3 trillion for emergency funding to battle the economic fall out from COVID-19. This is a lot of money to add to our existing $22 trillion dollar national debt.
The CDC recently updated the more common possible symptoms of COVID-19. They include, chills, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste, loss of smell, sore throat, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Also covid toes have been seen which I discussed previously. (View previous presidents messages on our Covid-19 page).
Younger patients are dying of sudden stroke. Experts are saying the virus can cause blood clotting. It was reported that there is a seven fold increase in sudden stroke in young patients. Most of these fatalities had no other comorbidities and were at home with otherwise mild symptoms of COVID-19.
The NYSPMA BOT and staff met last week using ZOOM. This was an informal meeting to test the technology (virtual happy hour). This technology is far from perfect but may be the future for many organizations going forward and it may save money for the organization. I am happy to report members of the BOT and staff at NYSPMA remain healthy.
Part of our discussion centered on residents and residency directors on the front lines at some of the busiest hospitals in NY. On behalf of the BOT and NYSPMA I would like to thank the residents and residency directors for their unselfish service and willingness to risk personal health during this difficult time.
Please stay healthy and safe.
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, CommonBond and MassMutual. 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 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.
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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Upcoming Webinars!
NEMO Health
NEMO Health, one of our NY20 exhibitors is offering a free webinar to NYSPMA members on Friday May 1st on recovering and rebuilding ypur practice after COVID 19. Please take advantage of this NYSPMA member benefit, register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4046896988362920464?source=NY
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.
