The College will again be offering funding of up to $75,000 for an established investigator and $25,000 for a new researcher through the ACFAS Clinical & Scientific Research Grant. These research grants are provided in part by the generous support of ACFAS Regions and Arthrex (new researcher). Letters of Intent are due September 7 and final applications are due on October 31. Awards will be announced in late December.

New York's new law lets qualified DPMs with an Advanced Ankle License perform total ankle replacements (phasing in through 2027). This statute could be a bellwether for scope fights in California, Massachusets, and Mississippi.

Custom functional orthoses have been a cornerstone of podiatric treatment for decades. However, there is growing concern that their use may become a lost “art.” Many podiatry residents now receive predominantly surgical training in hospital settings, while successful conservative treatments such as custom orthotic therapy receive less emphasis.

The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) has announced its officers for the 2026-27 term:

As ABFAS continues to set the Gold Standard in Foot and Ankle Surgery Certification, these leaders will help advance our mission of safeguarding public health and well-being by certifying and continuously assessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of podiatric surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of surgical care for patients.

Source: ABFAS

Everything above collapses without a named human accountable for it. The AMA's Governance for Augmented Intelligence toolkit makes accountability the first step for exactly that reason, and the toolkit includes a model policy practices can adapt rather than draft from scratch.

A workable policy for a physician practice is short. It names the approved tools, defines who may use them and for what, states the review and signature requirement, sets the consent process and audit cadence and creates a gate so no one adds a new AI tool with a company card and a click-through agreement. Naming an owner, usually a physician with real standing among peers, matters more than the length of the document. Regulators are moving in the same direction: CMS has continued reshaping the improvement activity inventory in the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, and practices with governance already documented will find attestation a paperwork exercise instead of a scramble.

Source: Keith A. Reynolds, Physicians Practice

Interested parties should complete and provide the information requested in the Podiatry Fellowship Training Program Application. Your application will not be processed or considered unless all information requested is received. Please refer to the application for how to submit once complete.

Application Deadline for 2027-28: 10.1.26 | Start Date: 7.7.27

Source: U of Michigan

Q: Does anyone have a resource for the specific documentation required to be included in the dispensing note visit for L3000 orthotics vs L3020? And does this documentation need to be included in the casting note as well?

Several years ago, the umbrella organizations representing orthotic providers hammered out what they thought was the modern definition of the four most common custom foot orthotic devices, L3000-L3030. This document may be found in the DMEPOS section of the APMA website (login required).

As for what must be in the chart note, a copy of the lab order, with the properties of the orthotic device is appropriate. Many insurance companies are looking for failed conservative treatment for a period of time and a detailed rationale of why custom orthotics are needed. That can be established on the day you cast, or a previous date and be referenced at the day of dispensing.

On the date of dispensing (date of service), you should reference the previous dates of service in support of use of the device, any prior authorization information (if the carrier requires such) and what you did to fit the device and train the patient on its use.

Any written or verbal instructions should be referenced. You might consider scanning the invoice from the lab into the EMR and reference that in your note. A screen shot from the labs catalog which details the durometer and other device properties is suggested.

If the carrier has any requirements in a reimbursement policy, be sure to comply with those. 

—Paul Kesselman, DPM

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

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Podiatry Department in Waukon, Iowa, has a new podiatry chair thanks to the generosity of donors supporting the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation with memorial donations. The chair was purchased thanks to many memorial donations to the foundation by individuals memorializing family and friends when they pass, as well as honoring birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Source: Waukon Standard

The Midwest Foot & Ankle Conference (MFAC) is pleased to announce the return of Scientific Abstract and Digital Poster presentations for the 2027 conference. We invite fellows, residents, students, and faculty to submit completed clinical or basic science research for consideration. Encore submissions (previously presented at other meetings or conferences) are welcome and will be reviewed. The top ten abstracts will be selected for oral presentation during the General Session on Saturday, March 6, 2027. The top three abstracts will receive cash prizes.

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.

Practice seeks associate in Connecticut. Owner will stay for transition. Full privileges available. Fax resume to 203-729-9046.

Established podiatry practice in North Carolina is seeking a full-time, board-certified or board-eligible podiatrist for a hospital-based role with a strong emphasis on foot and ankle trauma, wound care, and surgery. Fellowship training is preferred. Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and an established referral base. Submit your CV to [email protected].

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

We want to get your thoughts on our exciting new direction, and we’d love to hear your ideas about the topics, programs, content, and people you’d like to see more of on this page and in Podiatry Management Magazine.