A Message From Your President...
I hope you are all healthy and safe and hope your families remain healthy and safe. The New York City area is now the epicenter for COVID-19 for the United States. Hopefully, the steps that the federal, state and local governments are taking will minimize the devastation associated with this pandemic.
NYSPMA continues to work daily on strategies to solve the problems we are facing and may continue to face over the next few months. I have been in contact with Dr. Seth Rubenstein, President of APMA. The APMA will be finalizing a plan to aid membership later this week. NYSPMA is also working out a plan to provide relief for members which will be coordinated with APMA.
The goal for both APMA and NYSPMA is to be a resource for membership and to retain the ability to be responsive now and in the future. We are all better working together for the future of our profession through good times and challenging times like we are facing.
PLEASE look at the COVID-19 resource page on the NYSPMA website for the most up to date information to assist the membership. This web page is updated daily by our staff who are all working remotely for the foreseeable future.
Good news from the state education department. Anyone renewing their license to practice Podiatry between March 1st and June 30th, 2020 can obtain CME credits online. The in-person requirement for CME credits has been waived for this time period.
NYSPMA and our Foundation for Podiatric Medicine will be offering 5 separate webinars for CME credits related to the COVID-19 legal issues, responsibilities, and telemedicine. Faculty include Drs. Allen Jacobs, Michael Warshaw, and Michael Brody.
NYSPMA members will receive a discount on these webinars to be hosted on the CMEonline platform.
Discount Code for Members: NYSPMA - $20.00 off the registration price. Please take advantage of this great member benefit and earn CME credits online. **Additional Information below CPR tip in this message.
Also, our General Counsel, Matthew Feldman, will be providing an online webinar free to members to be posted soon to our COVID 19 page that provides good guidance and insight for members addressing numerous employment issues in the current environment. ( Powerpoint Slides can be accessed here)
Telehealth is available for Podiatry to provide care to our patients that may have critical issues. There are limitations and our website COVID -19 resource page has information to help you. APMA has an excellent webinar that is 19 minutes regarding Telehealth and additional information is provided on our COVID 19 resource page in our website.
I provided telehealth visits with several patients this week. My patients were very appreciative that this care is available.
Also, if you have medical insurance needs that are changing, Creative Wealth Planning, www.creativewealthplanning.com/nyspma is ready to help you get the coverage you need.
Please stay healthy and safe.
I hope you are able to have a great week.
Dan Keating DPM
President NYSPMA
NYSPMA Legal Tip: COVID Resources
By: Matthew S. Feldman, Esq., General Counsel
New York State Podiatric Medical Association
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: CMS Providers can Skip 2019 MIPS Reporting Due to Coronavirus Crisis
CPR Tip by: Hoda Henein
As part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS has announced relief measures for providers who are bound to participate in its quality reporting programs, including the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
First, CMS is extending the deadline for submission of 2019 MIPS data from March 31, 2020, to April 30, 2020. Second, if no MIPS data is submitted by MIPS-eligible clinicians by the April 30 deadline, those clinicians will automatically qualify for the existing “extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy” and will be guaranteed a neutral (0%) Medicare Part B payment adjustment for the 2021 MIPS payment year.
“This is being done to reduce the data collection and reporting burden on providers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” CMS writes in a statement announcing the new measures. “CMS recognizes that quality measure data collection and reporting for services furnished during this time period may not be reflective of their true level of performance on measures such as cost, readmissions, and patient experience during this time of emergency and seeks to hold organizations harmless for not submitting data during this period.”
The agency says it is still “evaluating options for providing relief” when it comes to MIPS reporting in 2020, for which data submission would be due in March 2021 to affect Medicare payments in 2022. A link to the full CMS statement is available at:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announces-relief-clinicians-providers-hospitals-and-facilities-participating-quality-reporting
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.
Call for Bylaw Amendments and Resolutions
BYLAWS: The deadline for submitting bylaw amendments for consideration at the 2018 NYSPMA House of Delegates is Friday, April 17, 2020. Please submit with the Bylaw Revisions Form. Questions regarding the resolution process can be sent to Dan Kline, dkline@nyspma.org. All proposed revisions should be typed onto the Bylaw Revisions Form and submitted by email.
RESOLUTIONS: The deadline for submitting resolutions for consideration at the 2020 NYSPMA House of Delegates is Friday, April 17, 2020. Please submit the Resolution Form. Questions regarding the resolution process can be sent to Dan Kline, dkline@nyspma.org. All proposed resolutions should be typed onto the Resolution Form and submitted by email.
In light of the current COVID-19 outbreak, it is uncertain if the House of Delegates will take place in its current format as scheduled in late May. However, the business of the House will still take place in a format to be determined if the HOD has to be cancelled.
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[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.
[NEW!] APMA Health Insurance: Small & Large Group Options
APMA has just released it's small group health care plan. The new plan's innovative structure allows small groups (less than 14 people) to purchase insurance at large group rates. With low deductibles ($500) and savings on premiums, this plan could save you a lot of money on quality health coverage!
Show your NYSPMA membership pride with our new merchandise section!
Check out our wide-array of NYSPMA-branded products HERE. Start your holiday shopping early! We have everything from whiskey glasses and cigar cutters to golf balls, t-shirts, and more!
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.
[NEW!] 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.
