by Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
Joined practice July 2006 of John K. Throckmorton, DPM Lansing, Michigan

Its only been a few issues since our last Letters to the Editor, but the recent response to the New Docs editorials is as strong as ever. More and more people are taking the time to respond to me on an array of topics covered in New Docs on the Block.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]

***I Have An Idea***

Why not expand the Idea just a little. As a practitioner I get to choose where the medicaid reimbursement goes. Either to pay down education loan principle or directly into a retirement account (401K). Both options should be pre-tax and only the interest should ever be taxable on the retirement account. If we’re going to aim high, we just as well shoot for the moon.

Derek Naegle,DPM
[email protected]

**Editor's Response**

If I were to seriously propose reimbursement for our Medicaid and uninsured patients I would stick with paying down financial aid debt only because this exists already with the Indian Health Service. This method is a less direct income and incentive method than asking the federal government to put money directly into our “pockets” via a 401(K) account. However, if we could get that passed too I wouldn’t turn down the money!

—Jarrod Shapiro, DPM

***New Doc Billing Mistakes***

Thanks for sharing your article encouraging new DPMs to monitor their billing. I completely agree that ALL Docs can learn a ton about their coding and reimbursement methodology from the insurance EOBs. I have forwarded your article to our newest associate. I teach the “appeal prevention method,” but I also believe that it never hurts to have another pair of eyes looking over the EOBs. If the Doc reviews their own EOBs, their coding will drastically improve.

Better coding improves the whole claim process. The more efficient the initial claim submission, the less appealing has to be done and the better the bottom line.

Great article,

Lori Cerami
Practice Administrator
Foot And Ankle Associates of North Texas
2421 Ira E. Woods Avenue Suite 101
Grapevine, Texas 76051
Direct Phone: 817-796-3245
[email protected]
www.FAANT.com

***Billing Issues***

Any doctor new in practice or not needs to make sure his billing staff is adequately trained to know the proper way to bill and code. There is no excuse for poorly trained employees in one’s practice.
The next issue is a billing service is only as good as the doctor's ability to code correctly. Do not assume a billing service will catch all mistakes because they do not. After 26 years of practice, I had 90% of receivables thirty days or less.

When you hire the right people they get the job done.

Steven H. Goldstein, DPM, DABPS
Outcome Medical, LLC
Director of Podiatric Sales & Marketing
[email protected]

***New Block for New Doc***

Good for you Jarrod! sounds like a great move...I really enjoy your style of writing as well as the topics that you present...looking forward to hearing more when you are settled.

Be Well!
Dr. Sherri Greene

Thanks again for your letters...and keep them coming.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT New Docs Editor
[email protected]

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