Why Become a Member of the NYSPMA?
NYSPMA Young Members
Testimonial for Legal Benefits Plan
My name is Dr. Samuel Ruggiero, a retired podiatrist from Buffalo, NY. I have been a member of the Podiatry Protection Program (now Legal Benefits Plan) since its inception. I have always felt assured that they would always be there with great legal advice, insurance assistance, or just a helping hand to assist me with difficult everyday questions.
Well, I’m proud to say that they are here to help with problems in my retirement. Matthew Feldman, an attorney at Feldman Kieffer and General Counsel to NYSPMA, effectively handled the sale of my practice as well as post-closing matters that arose after I sold my practice. Matt was a huge help in navigating a critical transaction and I couldn’t have done it without him. His ongoing availability and assistance reflect his personal commitment to his profession, clients, and the podiatric community.
With all the headaches that a busy practice can bring & the confusing changes daily in the medical arena, it’s nice to know that Legal Benefits Plan is there to help, whether related to day to day issues, or complex legal matters!
Download the 2024-2025 Prospective Member Packet to see all the benefits an NYSPMA membership has to offer!
Prospective Member Packet
Membership provides you with a strong voice in the state legislature on insurance affairs, medical and hospital practice, managed care, scientific affairs, and public health, as well as the voice and conscience of more than 1200 members who support podiatric medicine—over 80% of the podiatrists in New York State. Read a list of our legislative accomplishments and ongoing efforts. Your membership strengthens your practice and contributes to the profession of podiatry today and in years to come.
Watch the video to hear what some of our members have to say!
Membership also provides you with the following benefits and services:
National Association Membership
Included in the membership dues structure is membership in the American Podiatric Medical Association, which brings with it federal level activities and publications such as The Journal of the APMA, and the monthly APMA News.
Continuing Medical Education Credits
New York licensees must obtain at least 50 validated CME credit hours every 3 years. By fully attending NYSPMA's annual Clinical Conference, you can meet these requirements. As an NYSPMA member you can attend these conferences without a fee in many cases, or at substantially reduced fees.
Clinical Conference
Arguably the premier statewide conference of its kind, the podiatric products and services trade show held in conjunction with this Conference offers an opportunity to order from quality vendors efficiently and economically.
Watch the video to hear to some of the great value our Clinical Conference has to offer!
Allen M. Jacobs, DPM, of St. Louis, MO, is a nationally recognized author, researcher, noted authority of surgery of the foot and one of NYSPMA’s acclaimed speakers for the Clinical Conference & Exhibition.
Watch the video to learn why he believes the Clinical Conference offers some of the greatest scientific programs in the industry.
Insurance Assistance
Ongoing dialogue with insurance carriers for the purpose to maintain sound medical policies for podiatric services provided.
Representation on the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee and the Medicare Medical Advisory Committee.
Free information and consultation on Medicare/Medicaid issues, third-party payers, hospital privileges, ethics, and managed care issues.
Monitoring of third-party carriers, HMOs, and Medicare and Medicaid programs, including intercession on behalf of members with these groups.
Political Action
Member participation under the guidance of one of New York State's top government affairs firms.
Communications
Members receive the electronic President's Message, a weekly update of association activities from the President of the Board of Directors, providing valuable information about projects the Association is undertaking, upcoming events, and helpful articles for your practice.
The NYSPMA Website, is your ultimate source of information from the NYSPMA. All information is continuously updated so that you can get information almost as quickly as we receive it. The Website includes breaking news, information about legal issues and insurance issues, legislative news, patient education, Clinical Conference information, links to related podiatry sites, CME credit information, classifieds, and educational opportunities.
List Serve Email sent between association members and the association, enabling Q&A, comments, and general interaction among association members. It is an immediate and direct way to inform our members about critical breaking information.
Text Message Alerts
Members can stay in touch with NYSPMA via weekly text alerts that will notify them of any important and timely updates from the association or the podiatry world. These texts may include legislative updates, changes to insurance reimbursement policy, billing and coding changes, surgical pearls, health care updates, and more!
Text "NYSPMA" to 844-947-6386 to sign up!
Professional Service Programs
Public relations activities statewide on behalf of NYSPMA, frequently in conjunction with like-minded organizations like American Diabetes Association, NY State Diabetes Coalitions, and more.
Fellowship
Isolation can be dangerous to your professional health. NYSPMA provides interaction and education through meetings, conferences, and publications. The fellowship of NYSPMA membership contributes to the success of a busy practitioner.
Young Members Program
NYSPMA is committed to meeting the needs of young physicians, those podiatrists who graduated from podiatric medical school in the past 10 years, including residents! NYSPMA’s Young Members Program was established to make sure the next generation of podiatric leaders have a voice within the organization.
NYSPMA Marketplace
A "one-stop shop" for DPMs
The NYSPMA Marketplace is a newly launched exclusive member benefit! The marketplace is a "one-stop shop" for DPMs looking to post job listings, sick leave coverage, equipment sales, and practice sales. Additionally, graduates who are seeking employment can upload their resumes and a description about themselves allowing them to connect with potential employers. This resource is FREE to members.
Discounts and other programs
Click here for the Discount Program page.
Legal Benefits Program (Previously: Podiatry Protection Program)
Extensive legal services for a nominal fee including:
- Coverage of legal defense costs only. Does not include monetary demands, judgments, recouped overpayments, clawbacks, settlement payments or sanctions.
- Protection against complaints, proceedings and the like by HIPAA, OSHA, Workmen's Compensation, IPRO and OCR
- Opportunity for consultations on general legal issues like contracts, leases, medical records retention, patient privacy and more
- Additional legal representation at a preferred billing rate
Reduced Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates for Members - Hilb Healthcare Group
NYSPMA Leadership is excited to announce the association’s relationship with Hilb Healthcare Group to develop an exclusive medical malpractice insurance program available only to members of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association. Hilb will be engaging with all medical malpractice insurance carriers that insure Podiatrists in New York to identify an appropriate partner for the Association that is best fit for Association members, giving due consideration to coverage types, customer service, and sponsorship for the Association.
Click HERE to learn more and apply for a quote!
The Corcoran Group Preferred Client Program
NYSPMA has partnered with The Corcoran Group, New York’s premier real estate firm, to offer a non-taxable rebate for members and their families when buying or selling their homes through The Preferred Client Program. This program is available across the United States.* In addition, The Corcoran Group is offering discounted rental fees when renting in NYC.
AAA Discounts
NYSPMA members will receive exclusive discounts when Joining AAA or renewing their membership.
Avis Rental Car Discounts
When you rent from Avis, you can take advantage of year-round savings! Avis offers New York State Podiatric Medical Association members great money-saving coupons on top of special weekend, weekly and monthly rates.
Dell Discounts
NYSPMA Members will find deep discounts totaling hundreds of dollars of savings with Dell! NYSPMA members are eligible for enrollment in Dell Advantage Loyalty Program- 5% eGift-card and free 2nd business day shipping.
Insurance Program
NYSPMA is happy to announce that we have established a relationship with 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.
Based on your location in NY, a wide selection of medical plans from Aetna, Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare/Oxford are available which may include HSA qualified, HMO, EPO, POS & PPO plans. Many Medicare supplements, Medicare Part D prescriptions, and Medicare Advantage plans are also available. You can sign up or change plans in NY State regardless of your current health or health history because there are no medical questions.
Whether you are in the market for medical insurance or would just like to compare plans that could reduce your cost, CWP will show you options that will meet your needs.
NEW! DENTAL & VISION Benefits EXCLUSIVELY for NYSPMA Members:
Open enrollment begins now. July 20 DEADLINE to enroll for August 1 effective date. Plan details / monthly premium options can be found on our Members Only section.
Online Career Center
Whether you are an individual looking for a new job opportunity or you're an employer who needs to fill a vacancy, NYSPMA's Online Career Center is the place to start! The electronic job board offers free job searches and low-cost ads and resume postings to members.
Podiatry Insurance Company of America
Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA) is the nation's leading provider of professional liability insurance for podiatrists in the U.S. Discount attendance at a PICA approved risk management seminar or home study purchase earns a 10% renewal premium discount.
Staples Business Advantage
"Incredible Catalog" of Discounted Items
NYSPMA has partnered with Staples Business Advantage to provide members with a full range of products and services with impressive savings on thousands of items!
Click Here to view the Staples Business Advantage flier (PDF) Click Here to Register (Secure online registration)
You can use Staples to lower your office purchase costs substantially. Staples offers more than just office supplies—they also carry furniture, technology, promotional products, janitorial supplies and more. Additional benefits to members include dedicated account management and customer service, fast and free delivery, and several options for easy ordering.
For further information about the program, or to register, contact Joseph Irias, NYSPMA's Account Manager, at (888) 224-3784 ext 4122, or via email at joseph.irias@staples.com.
Contact Joseph today to get this new membership benefit working for you!
TicketsatWork
TicketsatWork is pleased to offer entertainment and travel discounts for both regional and nationwide attractions and events to New York State Podiatric Medical Association members. Now you’ll have access to exclusive savings on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, tours, Broadway and Vegas shows & more. These discounts are not available to the general public and are exclusive to the TicketsatWork Corporate Discount Program. Be sure to visit often as new products and discounts are constantly being added
TLD Systems
TLD Systems provides HIPAA compliance support for Podiatry Practices. They have successfully assisted many members of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association to implement HIPAA compliance programs. As a New York Member you are eligible for discounts as well as access to information from TLD Systems on Health Information Technology and HIPAA.
In the past few months the Federal Government has stepped up enforcement of the HIPAA Right of Access Rule. One practice in Illinois was recently found to be in violation and fined $100,000. (OCR fines 11 healthcare orgs for HIPAA right-of-access cases | Healthcare IT News)
Since June 14, over 100 entities have been investigated for healthcare data breaches with the majority of these organizations being healthcare providers. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Office for Civil Rights (hhs.gov))
When you become an NYSPMA member, you will receive a member benefit of a 5% discount on all TLD Systems Services.
You will also have access to TLD's monthly webinar series on Cybersecurity to assist NYSPMA members with their HIPAA compliance which is 100% FREE to everybody.
