A Message From Your President...
Hi everyone. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the memorial day weekend. Please remember those in the armed forces who died for our freedoms.
COVID -19 is still with us. We continue to make slow progress; I continue to be optimistic
that we will beat this pandemic and be stronger. Unfortunately, politics on both sides will slow our progress. Placing blame never really does much good. Positive SOLUTIONS are the only discussions worth engaging in. These SOLUTIONS should include, treatment, prevention, and future preparation
for similar outbreaks. The entire world was not prepared for this. Some areas of the world have experienced more severe outbreaks than others. Especially our own NEW YORK CITY. I am so proud of the frontline workers who continue to risk their own lives and unselfishly treat these sick patients. STAY STRONG NEW YORK.
HHS STIMULUS. If you have not received to HHS stimulus check by direct deposit, Please contact HHS.
The HHS Hotline number is: 866-569-3522. You must request an inquiry to determine the payment delay or the reason why you may not qualify.
DUES REMINDER
DUES INVOICES FOR NYSPMA ARE DELAYED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR 2020-2021. INVOICES WILL BE SENT OUT AT THE END OF JUNE OR EARLY JULY. PLEASE REMEMBER DUES ARE DISCOUNTED THIS YEAR BY 25%. If anyone is in a position to pay full dues will be greatly appreciated.
This weekend (May 29-May 31) would have been our HOUSE OF DELEGATES (HOD). Due to the pandemic, the HOD was canceled. Year-end reports will be submitted from all committees. However, all normal business of the HOD, bylaws changes, resolutions, and contested elections are postponed until next year's HOD.
In the next 5 weeks the NYSPMA will transition the officers. Dr. Jim Hanna was elected at the HOD last year. He will be our next president. The other officer positions are uncontested elections. The bylaws allow the BOT to elect these officers in an emergency situation such as this pandemic. Dr. Maria Branca will become the president-elect. Dr. Sandro Frasca will become the vice president. Dr. Charles Lombardi will become the treasurer. I will become the past president.
Please stay healthy and safe!
Dan Keating DPM
President NYSPMA
Help Advance Podiatry by taking this Telemedicine Survey!
One of our members, Dr. Robert Fridman, has developed a survey on DPM use of telemedicine services and I invite you to participate in this short survey. He is working with public health grad students at GW University, Columbia University, and one of William Spielfogel’s residents at Northwell Health. Surveys like this can be useful in advancing our scope and practice in the future.
The survey can be accessed HERE.
Showcase your Media Activity on NYFOOTHEALTH!
Two years ago, NYSPMA created a wonderful consumer website, NYFOOTHEALTH and would like to enhance it by adding any press activity (i.e.media interviews, podcasts, etc) with which our members have been involved. The Public Education and Information Committee, chaired by Dr. Stephanie Hook, will review all material prior to us posting it. We will also push out on NYFOOTHEALTH's other social media feeds. We know several members have been tapped by various media outlets for podiatric related conditions for the general public. We would love to have the opportunity to collectively showcase and advance the profession while educating the public about podiatry and foot health.
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: Routine Foot Care and Debridement of Nails (A57759)
CPR Tip by: Hoda Henein
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, see link below:
Article Update Link
[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.
[Recorded Podcast] Essential Adaptations, Your Post-COVID Survival Strategies, with Dr. Guiliana & Dr. Frederick.
Provided by NEMO Health
https://vimeo.com/414796504
[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.
