A Message From Your President...
Hi Everyone,
News on the Coronavirus is slowly turning in a positive direction. I hope we continue to see a downward trend in the number of cases and deaths. Phase one reopening may start very soon.
As we slowly open our offices please follow CDC guidelines of proper PPE usage, distancing, and cleaning guidelines. These guidelines will help protect you, your staff, and your patients. For those who practice in nursing homes, testing mandates were announced by the governor. Please contact the nursing facilities for specific requirements.
I realize there are members who did not receive the stimulus money from HHS/UHC. Anyone who did not receive the money because of a medicare enrollment issue- please contact National Government Services (NGS), our regional Medicare carrier. The phone number is (816)-569-3522, select option #2. Again this is for enrollment issues ONLY.
It is with deep sadness that I report the passing of Dr. Al Kanegis past president of NYSPMA. Dr. Kanegis was also a past president of the Nassau division, a founding member of the podiatry fraternal association FAPA and past APMA board member. Dr. Kanegis was a friend and mentor to many. He was an extremely dedicated and active member of the NYSPMA. Dr. Kanegis was a fixture at the annual HOD meeting. Since I have known him, he has always been a member of the NYSPMA finance committee. Meetings were always longer with the many questions from Al. Dr. Kanegis was always prepared and always had the best interest of the association and our profession in mind. Dr. Kanegis will always be remembered and missed. Please join me in remembering our friend Al, his wife Judy, and son Seth, in our thoughts and prayers.
As you may know, our annual HOD is canceled for this year due to the pandemic. We have been working with Dr. Mark and Mrs. Carol Schilansky, our parliamentarians, and Matt Feldman, NYSPMA General Counsel, on continuing the business of the Association in these unprecedented times in accordance with our bylaws. NYSPMA Bylaw 16.10 Transfer of Power and Duties allows the BOT to assume the powers of the House of Delegates with the exception of bylaws changes to carry out the business of the association in time of extraordinary emergency which we are now experiencing. The transition of officers with Dr. Jim Hanna as president will take place this summer. Elections for new board members, bylaws changes, and new resolutions, will take place next year.
The APMA HOD delegation from NY for 2020 will serve next year since they were unable to serve at this year’s House in Washington because it was canceled.
Please join me in congratulating the graduating class of 2020 from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. I wish the class the greatest success and the best of luck as they begin their residency programs. They are the future of our profession.
Stay Safe and Healthy,
Dan Keating DPM
President NYSPMA
NYSPMA Legal Tip: COVID Resources
By: Matthew S. Feldman, Esq., General Counsel
New York State Podiatric Medical Association
Read Matthew Feldman's summary & comments on the details of Gov. Cumos 4/28/2020 press conference regarding "unpausing".
- Access this legal tip by visiting our COVID-19 provider resource page and looking under the legal resources tab.
- There are 12 critical steps for each region in NYS to follow.
Additional Resources from Mathew Feldman:
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: CMS' Interim Final Rule-COVID-19
CPR Tip by: Hoda Henein
Routine Foot Care and Debridement of Nails (A57759)
Article revised to clarify coverage for debridement of mycotic nails and to remove the following documentation requirements:
For debridement of mycotic nails, each service encounter, the medical record should contain a description of each nail which requires debridement. This should include, but is not limited to, the size (including thickness) and color of each affected nail. In addition, the local symptomatology caused by each affected nail resulting in the need for debridement must be documented. For CPT code 11720 documentation of at least one nail will be accepted. For CPT code 11721 complete documentation must be provided for at least 6 nails.
For reference, CLICK HERE (External Link to NGS website)
[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 policyholders and allows them to refinance their student loans 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 staff member, Sonia Lunn, at slunn@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.
Webinars & Remote CME Opportunities
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.
[Free for NYSPMA Members] NYSPMA Fall Prevention Training-
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.
[Free] PICA Webinar Library- Free Recorded Online Webinars-
CLICK HERE to View Webinars
[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.
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!
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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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.
