This past week saw a host of developments that are relevant to DPMs’ coding, the momentum of Medicare for all, and federal fraud enforcement. Let’s dig in.

—Paul Kesselman, DPM

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Back in 1995, I was hired as a casual contractor to provide conservative podiatry care for about 300 residents at an extended healthcare facility. The Monday-to-Friday receptionist started there in 1990. She had a GED and was doing the job for now, she told me. She stayed there, got promoted and promoted, and 10 years ago, was promoted to director of Resident Services.

A floor RN who’s five years older than I am was promoted to head nurse. Around 2000, she was promoted to assistant director of Nursing Services. And five years ago, she was promoted to director.

Meanwhile, for 31 years, I’ve been a casual contractor providing basic conservative podiatric treatments for about 40 percent of the residents. The medical director never approached me and suggested that I could apply for a position at the extended healthcare facility. I was always considered an outsider. They had staff parties I was never invited to, and I never received recognition for 10, 20, 25, or 30 years of ongoing, continuous service at that facility.

—Name Withheld

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Most physicians know the basic cybersecurity risks: ransomware, phishing emails, stolen passwords and hackers trying to gain access to patient information.

Artificial intelligence is adding a new risk.

Recent incidents involving AI agents have shown that these systems can do more than answer questions. Some can interact with websites and computer systems, search for information and take actions on their own.

That creates an important question for every medical practice:

Could AI find a weakness in your computer systems before you do?

Source: Michael Brody, DPM, and CEO, TLD Systems

The National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners is looking for licensed and practicing podiatric physicians to participate in its Practice Analysis survey in April 2027 for the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exams (APMLE).

The Practice Analysis serves as the foundation for identifying the content and competencies that should be included on the APMLE Part I, APMLE Part II, and APMLE Part III. It identifies the knowledge, skills, and tasks that are relevant to the current practice of podiatric medicine, and its findings inform the content of the exams.

A large group of licensed and practicing podiatric physicians must complete validation surveys to rate how often they perform specific tasks and how important those tasks are for safe patient care. By participating and completing the survey in April, licensed and practicing podiatric physicians will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on this incredibly important process—and helping advance the podiatric profession.

Survey respondents can learn more and sign up here.

Most podiatrists know by now that it’s essential to have a social media presence and an updated website that features educational blogs. But if most everyone is doing that, how do you stand out in a field that is populated with competition from other podiatrists, orthopedists, physical therapists, chiropractors, pedorthists, retail outlets, and even nurse practitioners?

Yes: 53 percent

No: 41 percent

Unsure: 6 percent

Total responses: 374

One poll asked DPMs to name their greatest frustrations. Government and third-party regulations came out near the top — which will surprise exactly nobody reading this.

Some reports estimate providers spend upwards of 10 hours a week on documentation alone. And as Paul Kesselman, DPM, puts it: "Doing the 'best you can' is simply not good enough."

So where do you actually go? That's the real subject of his piece — and the answer is more encouraging than you'd expect. The policies are published, they're public, and almost all of them are free.

1. Find your Medicare Administrative Contractor through the CMS lookup.

2. Read their Local Coverage Determinations. One large MAC publishes around 88, with the related codes attached — Routine Foot Care and Debridement of Nails, Trigger Point Injections, Pain Management among them.

3. Enroll in the provider portal. No charge. Appeals, eligibility, EOBs. Upload digitally so it's time-stamped — it "avoids the 'we never got it' excuse."

4. Sign up for the free e-list serves, and name who reads them. Year-end bulletins carry the 2027 fee schedules.

5. Comment while a policy is still proposed.

To add your thoughts, email [email protected].

Joseph Park, DPM, FACFAS, explores the pivotal role of surgical rebalancing in managing diabetic foot, focusing on plantar pressure reduction via flexor tenotomy and other procedures. CME (Credits: 0.5)

Source: PRESENT Podiatry

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30-Year Podiatry Practice: Kansas City, Missouri 

Priced below appraisal. Established hospital-campus practice with strong referrals and 25,000 patient records. Fully equipped with digital X-ray and EMR. Staff staying on. Open four days, with demand for five. Retiring physician will assist with transition. A rare turnkey opportunity. Confidential inquiries: [email protected]

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