Pedorthic Newswire Issue #468

May 9, 2012, Issue #468

DISCUSSION

Send your comments, questions, responses, articles or case studies to Pedorthic Newswire at editor@pedorthicnewswire.com

Your emails will be reviewed by pedorthists and the editors of Pedorthic Newswire, and selected submissions will be posted in an upcoming issue for feedback from other readers. We reserve the right to edit submissions and responses. Please note:the deadline for all submissions and responses is 12 noon Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday for that week's issue.

NEW COMMENT

Comment: I was wondering if anyone read the review for the second quarter regarding the Therapeutic Shoes for Jurisdiction D? Out of 455 claims submitted 440 were denied. A total of 69 claims were denied for no response to the additional documentation request. This is an error rate of 97%. Because it is so high, NAS will continue with the widespread complex review. I know that it requires a lot of work to get the documentation needed for the patient to get their shoes and inserts, but if we take the time to explain to our Doctors what we need they will get used to providing the documentation to us. Right now the Doctors are providing this information for a wide range of products like hospital beds, mattresses, wheelchairs, scooters, ankle braces, and lift chairs.

This is the wave of the future to come on all the products that Medicare covers, so all
of us need to start thinking in this direction. When we do not comply on the documentation requirements this puts us into a review status portraying where we are today. We will stay stagnate until we understand what is needed and supply it to Medicare. This goes for billing assigned or unassigned.

Let's change our way of thinking for the good of all of our customers and ourselves.

-MEK, L.PED.

PREVIOUS COMMENT WITH RESPONSES

Comment: There is news about laws being introduced that would drastically cut the scope of practice for the pedorthist. Our scope of practice (if you want to call it that way) would be fitting shoes and inserts.

I looked the other day at the Accreditation Standards of ABC & BOC. It seems that we, the pedorthist, are only listed for Therapeutic/diabetic footwear and inserts. Nowhere does it state that we are allowed and/or get accredited to fabricate, fit or dispense custom foot orthoses, ankle gauntlets etc. for diabetic or non-diabetic patients.

Coincidence?

-PNW Reader

Response: Recently a post stated that ABC Pedorthic Accreditation only includes the provision of therapeutic shoes and inserts. This is not true. ABC pedorthic accreditation includes all of the pedorthic items and services that are allowed in the ABC certified pedorthist's scope of practice. A full description of the C.Ped.'s scope of practice can be found at www.abcop.org

-Chrissy Heckenberg, Director of Facility Accreditation ABC

Response: In the last edition of the Pedorthic Newswire, a reader addressed an issue regarding the BOC scope of practice for pedorthists. Please consider including the following response in the next edition of the PNW.

In the most recent issue (#467), a PNW reader noted that, in BOC's standards, pedorthists are listed as required personnel only for therapeutic/diabetic footwear and inserts product codes. We appreciate inquiries of this kind and invite PNW readers to bring similar issues to our attention directly so we'll be aware of their concerns and respond appropriately.

The BOC pedorthist scope of practice states that "'Pedorthic Devices/Modalities' means therapeutic shoes, shoe modifications made for therapeutic purposes, partial foot prostheses, foot orthoses and below-the-knee pedorthic modalities." When BOC accredits a facility that services beneficiaries for therapeutic/diabetic footwear, we ensure the appropriate personnel is on staff. A facility that complies with all CMS standards and employs an ABC- or BOC- certified pedorthist may be assigned the following product codes:

Diabetic Shoes/Inserts-Non-Custom	S02
Diabetic Shoes/Inserts-Custom	S03
Limb Prostheses	PR01*
Orthoses: Custom Fabricated	OR01*
Orthoses: Prefabricated (non-custom fabricated)	OR02*
Orthoses: Off-The-Shelf	OR03*

We have reviewed our current personnel requirements list and updated the codes that are asterisked above. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

-Wendy Miller, BOCO

PREVIOUS QUESTION WITHOUT RESPONSES

Question: Can anyone help me find a Medicare compliant depth shoe that would fit a women's size 2.5 foot? Thanks!

-NC C.Ped.

SPONSOR NEWS

HEALTH AND INDUSTRY

A Feet First Mentality

Q. I have heard that foot problems can be the cause of other aches and pains in the body. What are some ways I can make sure my feet are taken care of as I get older? A. Everyone knows how important it is to take care of our health and keep our bodies in good condition. However, most of us don't think about the fact that our feet are the hardest working part of our body, and they need care and attention too. Our feet carry us wherever we need to go, whenever we need to go, and they do it every day. From the time we take our first baby steps, we depend on our feet every step of the way. Full Text

Source: HTR News

I have diabetes...can I do pedicures?

The difference between giving a pedicure to a regular person versus a diabetic is that a diabetic may have neuropathy/circulatory problems which may result in a loss of sensation to the feet, or highly sensitive skin. Plus, because of the circulation problems, sometimes the skin of a diabetic's feet can be dry and flaky. A pedicure can be relaxing and beneficial in helping a diabetic maintain healthy feet. But many diabetics are afraid of having a pedicure, knowing that a simple cut can lead to a serious infection. Full Text

Source: Trinidad Express

Shoe therapy has real benefits - study

By: Matthew Theunissen

Shoes are more than just laces and leather - for some women they may have therapeutic qualities, a new study suggests. Research led by University of Canterbury PhD student Jessica Boyce has found that women who feel more insecure after exposure to "body ideals'' own more attractiveness-conferring accessories such as shoes and handbags, but not trousers. "What the research suggests is that shoes and handbags are more appealing to insecure women because they increase physical attractiveness without drawing attention to one's figure. Trousers, on the other hand, tend to draw attention and that is why they are shunned by this group of women,'' she said. Full Text

Source: NZ Herald

AETREX iSTEP WEBINARS

Visit our full May 2012 Schedule

DIABETES

Could Eating Fast Increase Diabetes Risk?

By: Robert Preidt

Eating too quickly may raise your risk of diabetes, a small, preliminary study suggests. Researchers from Lithuania compared 234 people with type 2 diabetes and 468 people without the disease and found that those who gobble down their food were 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes than those who take their time while eating. Study participants with diabetes also were more likely to have a higher body-mass index (a measurement of body fat based on height and weight), and to have much lower levels of education than those without diabetes, the researchers said. Full Text

Source: MSN

Diabetics need to keep close eye on feet

By: Dr. Mohiuddin Waseem

Diabetes, one of the most common diseases in the world, frequently leads to below-knee amputations, especially if not properly taken care of. It is estimated that every 30 seconds, someone around the world will lose a leg from diabetic complications.
Pain and other sensations of our body that usually prevent us from undue pressure and injuries are often impaired in diabetic patients. Scientific studies have shown us that it is a direct result of uncontrolled glucose levels in the body over the years, which ultimately cause damage to the nerves, thereby reducing the body's sensitivity to pain, temperature and vibration. Such insensate feet become vulnerable to trauma and thus allow infections to fester. Full Text

Source: Modesto.com

Diabetes Improved Regardless of Surgical Procedure

New research reports that no procedure for weight loss surgery is any better at treating diabetes than another. The study, presented May 7 at the International Congress of Endocrinology/European Congress of Endocrinology in Florence, Italy, uses a large ongoing study to show that improvements to diabetes in patients undergoing such surgery is likely to be due to the degree of weight loss itself rather than the type of procedure. Full Text

Source: Science Daily

SPORTS AND FITNESS

Multiple strategies needed to fight obesity, study suggests

By: Nanci Hellmich

Students should be physically active for 60 minutes every day at school, fast-food restaurants need to offer healthier foods to kids, and communities need to have trails and other safe areas for residents to encourage physical activity, says a report out today.It's going to take many strategies like these and a full-scale effort across all segments of society to reduce the obesity epidemic in this country, says a report from an expert committee convened by the Institute of Medicine, which provides independent advice on health issues to policy makers, foundations and others. Full Text

Source: USA Today

Longer Commutes May Steal Health And Fitness

By: Ann J. Curley

Anybody who has a long daily commute knows the frustration of sitting in traffic with nothing to do but wait. Now, a study suggests that long commutes can take away more than just precious time - they also negatively impact your fitness and health. Previous research has linked longer commutes with obesity. But this new research is believed to be "the first study to show that long commutes can take away from exercise time," explained lead investigator Christine M. Hoehner of Washington University in St. Louis. Long commutes are associated with "higher weight, lower fitness levels and higher blood pressure, all of which are strong predictors of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers," she said. Full Text

Source: Ozarks First

Fitness and Fun: Bicycling's Best Kept Secret

By: Brent Cohrs

Have you ever noticed that you don't see bicycles advertised on television? You'll see ads for health clubs, home fitness equipment, and workout programs, but you won't see a single commercial touting bicycling as a form of fitness. Late night and early weekend hours are filled with infomercials making dubious claims about every 10-minute workout and slider/strider/glider/rider you've never heard of, but you won't hear a single word about bikes.Personally, I think it's a conspiracy. While I have no proof (which makes me no less credible than any other conspiracy theorist), I have a strong suspicion the bike industry wants you to try the latest fitness fad. They're just waiting for you to discover firsthand that it's next to impossible to attain a professional fitness model's physique with machine-assisted sit-ups or jumping up and down in front of your TV for ten minutes a day. Full Text

Source: Chicago Now

BECOMING CERTIFIED IN PEDORTHICS

Pedorthics is a professional field covering the design, manufacture, modification and/or fit of footwear. Pedorthics encompasses shoes, orthoses and foot devices that prevent or alleviate foot problems caused by disease, overuse, injury or congenital defect. Certified Pedorthists work with patients and their footwear to conform to a doctor's footwear prescription as part of the patient's treatment

To earn certification in Pedorthics, you must take a pre-determined number of course hours in pedorthics and pass a certifying examination overseen by either The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics® or Board for Certification/Accreditation, Int'l. Both the ABC and BOC are independent certification bodies that set standards for the profession and offer certifications that are recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

More information, including FAQ's

The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics information on the step-by-step process of becoming a certified pedorthist

Board of Certification/Accreditation International information on becoming a BOC Pedorthist.

For information on the Canadian certifying organization visit The Pedorthic Association of Canada.

ONGOING COURSES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BECOMING CERTIFIED IN PEDORTHICS

The Robert M. Palmer M.D., Institute of Biomechanics "A Not-For-Profit School" has uniquely designed courses to provide pedorthic education for the retail, clinical or biomechanical knowledge seeking pedorthist. Course dates for Levels 1-3 in a variety of locations in the United States, Hong Kong, Mainland China and Korea are available. Click here to view a detailed calendar including dates and locations, information and pricing.

Robert M Palmer 2012 Schedule

May

Elwood, Indiana - May 5 - 14

June

Brea / El Monte, California TBD - June 23 - July 2

August

Elwood, Indiana - August 18- 27

September

Orlando, Florida - Sept 8 - 17

Elwood, Indiana - Sept 29 - Oct 8

Fall 2012

Malaysia TBD -

November

Elwood, Indiana - Nov 10 - 19

December

Brea / El Monte, California - Dec 8

RMPI Pre Certification Training- PEDORTHIC PRE-CERTIFICATION EDUCATION
PFA Scholarship Value @ 70% Savings
Published Tuition 2010 - $4K, "Powerstep Scholarship" Tuition Total $1500
(does not include travel / books / meals)
Must Enroll Before April 30, 2012
Attendance Date Flexible - CAPE/NCOPE Compliant - Levels 1,2,3
Courses Held In Elwood, Indiana Include Dormitory Housing & Shuttle Service
By prior reservation on a first-come-first-serve basis
To learn more about our courses or how you can share our vision, visit us at:
www.rmpi.org

CFS Allied Health Education: Pedorthic Certification: Exam Review. This review is focused on supplying the student with the skills and knowledge needed to pass the ABC Certified Pedorthic exam by presenting exam-like questions, exploring possible answers, and discussing rationales for correct and incorrect answers. Contact CFS Allied Health Education at (918) 266-3678 or visit http://www.learnpedorthics.com/ for more information.

*ABC and The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics are registered trademarks of the The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc., which is not affiliated with CFS Allied Health Education and does not endorse this review.

Pedorthic Pre-Certification Training Course July 30th - August 12, 2012 In cooperation with ABC requirements, Eneslow Pedorthic Institute (EPI) is offering the three-level competency training course for aspiring CPEDS. To provide maximum benefit in a minimum of time, a portion of the level one curriculum will be administered through a distance learning program that includes required readings, interactive CD's and testing of all mandatory topics.

Upon passing the level one test, students will attend the remainder of the pedorthic pre-certification course at Eneslow Pedorthic Institute for 2 weeks during July 30th, 2012 to August 12th, 2012. This class completes required education prerequisite to sit for national certification exam. It does not satisfy the requirement of 1000 documented hours of field experience.

For more information on ABC Clinical Practice Requirements, please go to www.abcop.org.

Please contact Sarah Goldberg at epi@eneslow.com or 212-477-2300 x211 for more information. Pedorthic Pre-Certification Course - $3,995

BECOME AN ABC THERAPEUTIC SHOE FITTER

For information on Aetrex Worldwide Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Courses, please contact the Aetrex Marketing Department at: marketing@aetrex.com.

Aetrex Worldwide Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Courses

Information on 2012 Aetrex Worldwide Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Courses will be coming soon.

2012 COURSES

2012 FOOT SOLUTIONS PEDORTHIC PRE-CERTIFICATION COURSE SCHEDULE & INFORMATION

Foot Solutions is an accredited facility that holds classes four times per year. The course will offer the certificate needed in all three levels so that you qualify to sit for the C. Ped. Exam. The facility is located at 2359 Windy Hill Road, Suite 400, Marietta, GA 30067

February 13 - February 24

May 11 - 1 Day Cram Session (free with attendance of pre-cert class)

May 14 - May 25

August 3 - 1 Day Cram Session (free with attendance of pre-cert class)

August 6 - August 17

October 8 - October 19

November 9 - 1 Day Cram Session (free with attendance of pre-cert class)

For application and fee information, contact:

Tracy Strickland 1-866-338-2597 EXT: 206 tstrickland@footsolutions.com

Betty Hubauer 1-866-338-2597 EXT: 201 bhubauer@footsolutions.com

Dr. William Faddock 1-866-338-2597 EXT: 209 bfaddock@footsolutions.com

UPCOMING COURSES FOR CERTIFIED PEDORTHISTS & ALLIED PROFESSIONALS

MONTHLY AND ONGOING

Riecken's Orthotic Labs - 800-331-8040; SAFIO Class, Second Friday of every month, at 5115 Oak Grove Rd., Evansville, IN. Four casting stands provided, limited to 8 students. Contact Darlene at the above number for more information.

Traveling Courses To Your Area sponsored by The Robert M. Palmer, M.D., Institute of Biomechanics, Inc. a not-for-profit pedorthic school. Please contact us to discuss your needs at phone: 765-557-7216. Email: pam@pedorthicbiomechanics.org or visit our Web site at: http://www.pedorthicbiomechanics.org/.

The Robert M. Palmer, M.D., Institute Of Biomechanics, Inc. a not-for-profit pedorthic school: Advanced Manufacturing - 50 Hour Course - Approved For 49.5 CME's for Pedorthists by the ABC. This course is designed to teach BAPFOL standards in manufacturing functional feet orthoses and provide an introduction to advanced biomechanical posting. Class size is limited to two students. For more information or to customize a course to meet your manufacturing educational needs, please email pam@rmpi.org or phone 765-557-7216. Tuition cost: $2K - includes housing and transportation to and from the airport and school. Click Here for More Info

May

Elwood, Indiana- Two Courses: May 18 - 22

Advanced Manufacturing Course 49.5 CME