June 17, 2020

A Message From Your President...

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is in good health. COVID-19 is not over yet. I remain hopeful and optimistic. There continues to be concerns, and rightly so. As we all know, this is a dangerous virus. Sadly, we saw a slight uptick in cases downstate this past week. Hopefully, this will quickly reverse so that we can safely continue through the phases of reopening. We must follow the safety guidelines set forth by the CDC with appropriate PPE and social distancing, especially in our offices. We must protect patients, staff, and doctors.

I am thankful to report that association membership remains strong. Please know the association continues to work every day for the benefit of the membership. Both NYSPMA and APMA continue to provide the most up to date information regarding COVID-19.

A strong membership will allow us to continue to work for the membership. Full Active membership numbers remained stable last year, after a several-year decline-- so I am grateful for the hard work of everyone involved.

REMINDER: DUES NOTICES ARE DELAYED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR. ASSOCIATION DUES ARE DISCOUNTED BY 25% THIS YEAR. DUES INVOICES WILL BE SENT OUT AT THE END OF JUNE

I have some good news to report. Dr. Sam Ruggiero, a newly retired podiatrist from Western Division, is now a published author. Sam graduated from NYCPM in 1982 and finished his residency in 1983. He was an active member of the western division, serving as treasurer for many years. Sam is living outside Charleston, SC, and sends his regards to his many friends and colleagues. His book is titled "A Time Arrow." It is a fiction novel, available through Amazon. Congratulations to Dr. Sam Riggiero!

I had the pleasure of spending some time with past president, Dr. Roy DeFrancis. He sends his regards to the membership. Dr. DeFrancis is working 4 days per week and is a member of the Board of Podiatry of the NY State Education Department. I continue to be impressed by the dedication of many of the past presidents. Just in the past few months, many past presidents have given their time freely to discuss association issues with me. Thank You to the past presidents (I know I will forget somebody) including Drs. Scott Altman, Roy DeFrancis, Don Feldman, Gary Stones, Rich Altwerger, Larry Santi, Vito Rizzo, Andy Shapiro, Patricia Nicholas, and Paul LIswood. I thank all the past presidents for their dedication and service to the association.

Please keep Dr. Jim Christina in your thoughts and prayers. Jim revealed to the membership that he is undergoing surgery this week to remove tumors in his lung after undergoing chemotherapy these past several months and expects to be home recovering for the next six to eight weeks following several days in the hospital.

Dan Keating DPM

President NYSPMA

Why you Should Enroll Early in NYSPMA Legal Benefits Plan

[New Benefits & Huge Vale]

NYS-Compliant (Annually Mandated) Anti-Sexual Harassment Training,

Discounted & Included Legal Counsel

Included Legal Documents, Web Access & More

As General Counsel to NYSPMA and a partner in the law firm of Feldman Kieffer LLP, we are privileged to provide the legal services that support and protect members who enroll in the Legal Benefits Plan (“LBP”). As many members know, the LBP was known as “PPP”, before the COVID-19 era redefined PPP as a complex SBA loan and grant program created by The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Since March, when the CARES Act was signed into law, LBP members have availed themselves of our counsel on the impacts of and compliance requirements for this new legislation, including the Provider Relief Funds it made available to most CMS participating providers. We anticipate additional legislative action at the state and federal level in response to the pandemic, and that the coming year will bring new questions and compliance concerns for members, as employers, employees, independent contractors, and potential buyers or sellers of podiatry practices.

As we proceed to discover, adapt and thrive in what our General Counsel emeritus refers to as the “New Abnormal”, we are poised to continue assisting members in navigating the challenges associated with practicing podiatry, made more complex by the pandemic. The next LBP plan year commences August 1, 2020, and will remain an important tool and layer of defense for members who enroll, providing access to counsel and important legal benefits as audits resume and employment-related claims spike. Members who enroll during the early enrollment period, on or before July 15, 2020, will receive the following additional benefits:

A one-hour consultation with Feldman Kieffer LLP on legal matters related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Forms including an updated Business Associate Agreement and Notice of Privacy Practices for HIPAA compliance purposes.

Updated written sexual harassment policy and training guidelines to comply with NY’s new annual mandatory requirements for all employers.

Access to legal counsel every single day.

These early-enrollment benefits are in addition to the membership benefits that have always made the plan valuable to members, including legal defense, in accordance with the plan, for:

Reimbursement Demands by an HMO or Insurance Company.
Reimbursement Demands by New York State or Federal Regulatory Agencies including Medicare and Medicaid.
Administrative Proceedings and Investigations before the New York State Education Department, Office of Professional Discipline.
Protection for HIPAA and OSHA complaints and compliance.
Workers' Compensation Administration issues.
Investigation and proceedings before IPRO.
Investigations and proceedings by the OCR (Office of Civil Rights).
Identity theft issues.
New York State Sales Tax Bureau.
New York State Department of Labor Employee Classification Bureau.
Defense of allegations of discrimination before The New York State Division of Human Rights and before The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
VIP Portal exclusively for LBP Members for legal resources you need in your practice.
Interactive Online Sexual Harassment Training for LBP members and their staff offered 2x annually
Concierge billing rates when retaining Feldman Kieffer’s professional services in any matter.

Early Enrollment applications are available HERE.

Terms and conditions of participation in the LBP available HERE. (and will be mailed to members).

Please do not hesitate to contact me by email or phone with any questions or concerns.

Matthew Feldman

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.

Please copy and paste this on your Facebook page.

We would like to invite everyone to "like" NY Foot Health's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/NYFootHealth/ With NY Foot Health, New Yorkers have a resource for foot and ankle health care information. Our organization gives you access to expert advice for all podiatric care and treatment from the podiatrists of the New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA).
Check out our website for a free newsletters sign up and read our blog page too. NYFootHealth.com

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NYSPMA Legal Tip: COVID Resources

By: Matthew S. Feldman, Esq., General Counsel

New York State Podiatric Medical Association

Re-Opening waiver to use in your practice.

Download here

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: Policy Article Revisions

CPR Tip by: Hoda Henein

Ankle-Foot/Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis

PA

Revision Effective Date: 07/01/2020

ICD-10 CODES THAT SUPPORT MEDICAL NECESSITY: Added: ICD-10 diagnosis codes E08.610, E09.610, E10.610, and E11.610 to Group 2 Codes for L4631

[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 has Suppliers if you are in need of these resources].

If you or your hospital is in need- please reach out to staff member, Sonia Lunn, at slunn@nyspma.org.

Webinars & Remote CME Opportunities

Upcoming

NEMO Health Upcoming Seminar

NEMO Health would like to invite all of the NYSPMA members (both existing and potential TRAKnet users) to their TRAKnet 2020 Livestream Seminar which will be held on Friday, June 19^th.

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

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

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.

Upcoming Events

None at this time.