On September 16, Senators Warren, Wyden, and Merkley, with Representatives Ocasio-Cortez, Hoyle, and Subramanyam, introduced the Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act. Modeled on an Oregon law that took effect this year, it would bar private equity funds, insurers, and other for-profit corporations from owning or controlling medical practices, close the friendly-physician loophole, and limit restrictive covenants. Most physicians will like most of what is in it. I do.

But the bill treats private equity as the disease. I have watched the actual disease for thirty years, twenty of them owning a gastroenterology practice and more than ten as a hospital-employed physician. Private equity did not make independent practice impossible. It arrived afterward and bought what was left at a discount.

Source: Brian Hudes, MD, KevinMD

To respond to this, email [email protected].

Question: Can you explain why there are new Osteomyelitis codes effective 10/1/2026 and where they apply?

Response from Codinghelpline.com:

Currently, you will find the Osteomyelitis ICD-10-CM code set includes specific diagnosis codes for the following types of osteomyelitis:

• Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (M86.0-)

• Other acute osteomyelitis (M86.1-)

• Subacute osteomyelitis (M86.2-)

• Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis (M86.3-)

• Chronic osteomyelitis with draining sinus (M86.4-)

• Other chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (M86.5-)

• Other chronic osteomyelitis (M86.6-)

On 10.1.26, besides the aforementioned ICD-10-CM, in the rare scenario that the osteomyelitis being managed is not represented by one of these osteomyelitis types listed above, you will now have the option to use the new M86.8X- codes to represent “Other osteomyelitis.” these new codes for the lower extremity include:

• M86.8X61 Other osteomyelitis, right lower leg

• M86.8X62 Other osteomyelitis, left lower leg

• M86.8X71 Other osteomyelitis, right ankle and foot

• M86.8X72 Other osteomyelitis, left ankle and foot

—David J Freedman, DPM, CPC, CSFAC, CPMA

Additional coding and billing questions and responses can be found at www.Codinghelpline.com   

The U.S. Department of Justice has recently brought several criminal and civil False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement actions against wound-care providers and suppliers as part of its continued efforts to combat fraud in the industry. Some of those matters involved conventional healthcare fraud allegations such as billing for medically unnecessary procedures or misrepresenting the amount of skin-substitute product used to increase reimbursement.

However, two more recent matters — United States v. McMillan (N.D. Tex.) and United States v. Cherny, et al. (S.D. Iowa) — suggest DOJ is expanding its wound-care-enforcement focus to include alleged misrepresentations about the acquisition cost of skin-substitute products used on patients, even where the medical necessity of those products does not appear to be in dispute.

Source: National Law Review

Employed and independent physicians face sharply different sources of distress, according to an August 2026 survey from the Physicians Foundation in collaboration with Medscape, with employed physicians reporting higher rates of burnout and independent physicians reporting greater financial pressure. The 2026 Survey of America’s Physicians surveyed 1,000 U.S. physicians on well-being, autonomy and practice conditions.

Source: Becker’s ASC Review

The latest raise philosophy that your practice has adopted has become known as a “peanut butter”-style employee wage increase—one that is spread equally amongst all employees.

While not new to businesses, this approach is becoming increasingly popular, as opposed to the familiar merit-based pay raise, sparking both praise and criticism from employers and employees alike. Peanut butter raises are the salary trend to watch in the upcoming year.

AI tools are already in your practice. The question is whether you know about them and whether they are HIPAA compliant. Most practices are using AI in some form already, whether it’s an EHR feature, a note-taking assistant, or a chatbot tool; however, they may not be aware of all locations where AI is used.

Join Ryan Boudreau, senior VP of operations at the healthcare compliance company Abyde, as he walks you through where AI may already be hiding in your practice, the HIPAA and privacy risks it creates, and a simple framework for using AI while remaining HIPAA-compliant. Wednesday, September 30, noon Eastern.

Source: The HIPAA Journal

You’re now receiving the podiatry sector’s newest source of timely and reliable information about everything from medical breakthroughs to practice management strategies. Share PM Pulse with your colleagues, and let us know how we can keep improving by emailing:

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Practice leaders looking for ways to offset rising costs may find some of the best answers inside their own organizations, a longtime Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) data expert said.

Comparing clinicians, exam rooms and business office results against one another and against the right outside benchmarks can reveal which staffing models, compensation plans and workflows are worth copying across a group.

Source: Physicians Practice

PM Pulse wants to hear from you! Submit your questions, concerns, and opinions to [email protected] to share and receive feedback from your colleagues and peers about all aspects of the podiatry sector. All submissions must meet our standards for professionalism and decorum, and submissions may be edited for length and clarity. Still have questions? Send us an email.

Podiatry Management Solutions is seeking a motivated podiatrist to provide regional coverage across Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Inland Empire. Join a growing multi-site practice treating personal injury, workers' compensation, Medicare, and HMO patients, with opportunities for office-based procedures, surgery, and expansion into partner facilities. Applicants must hold or be eligible for a California license and be board certified or board eligible. Flexible W-2, PSA, 1099, per-diem, and productivity-based arrangements are available. Compensation varies by experience and structure.

Apply: [email protected]

Podiatry Management Solutions is seeking a nurse practitioner to provide podiatry and wound care across Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and the Inland Empire. Responsibilities include diabetic foot and wound care, routine podiatric services, follow-up visits, and pre- and postoperative care in clinics and partner facilities. Candidates need active California RN and NP licenses, national certification, a furnishing number, and DEA registration. Relevant clinical experience is preferred. Flexible W-2, PSA, 1099, per-diem,
and productivity arrangements are available. Compensation ranges from $130,000-$175,000 annually or $600-$850 per day, depending on experience and structure.

Apply: [email protected]

Full-Time Chair—Department of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery

The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine is seeking a full-time chair for the Department of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery. The chair will lead faculty, drive academic excellence, and oversee clinical experiences in a collaborative environment. Generous benefits! ($120K–$140K)

Contact: [email protected] or apply at https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/employment/

For more information about submitting a classified ad, click the button below, or email [email protected].

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