Re: Functional Orthoses Article (Sept. ‘26)
I read with interest the article by Dr. Toback, "Functional Orthoses: Improving Patient Acceptance Through Effective Presentation." I am not going to disagree with any of the points that he brought up, as they are all valid. However, I would like to add some points to help as well.
—It is important that we not become "orthotic salesmen." We are not selling a product, we are selling a service. The orthotic is part of the service. The service includes gathering the data, making the diagnosis, prescribing the right orthotic that best fits the patients goals and their finances, then providing the actual device and following up to assess the results and make adjustments and changes to the device. The patient needs to know all of this in agreeing to the therapy. Follow-up with orthotic therapy is just as important as it is with surgery.
—Robert Phillips, DPM
To read Dr. Phillips’ entire letter, click the link below. And to add your own thoughts, email [email protected].
Anthem Recoupment of L3000 Claims
Lately, Anthem has started a nationwide recoupment on all orthotic claims, particularly for L3000. These audits do not target the age-old issues of heel cup depth, shell durometer, or the date of service not corresponding to the date of dispensing. Instead, a new tactic is targeting the fact that these functional orthotic devices are, per Medicare’s orthotic policy, not an “integral part of a brace which is attached to a shoe”.
Providers have cited that they had obtained pre-authorization for such devices and had notified the payers that there is no brace. Despite this, payers have successfully recovered significant sums of money.
—Paul Kesselman, DPM
To read Dr. Kesselman’s entire article, click the link below.
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Preview: September ‘26 Podiatry Management
Dividend-Paying Stocks
You know how hard you work for your money and how difficult it is to save after paying monthly living expenses and taxes. You need to have your money work for you. At some point, you should have saved an amount great enough to produce an income stream that would enable you to “slow down,” or even retire. While you are still working full time, you should be striving to achieve savings that will generate an income stream that can be used to meet unexpected personal expenses while also serving as investment for the future.
Understanding Diabetic Foot Ulcers
An article this summer in Newsweek brought a broader and deeper examination of DFUs to a lay audience. The author uses the example of actor/comedian John Cleese’s struggles with the condition to demonstrate how widespread these issues are and how the treatment of them is evolving.
Source: Newsweek
When will the emergence of new technologies (AI and others) affect your staffing plans?
The 2026 Practice Profitability Checklist
For years, many independent practices could stay financially steady on clinical excellence and a well-run operation. That cushion is thinner now. With reimbursement pressure, higher overhead, and more large-system competition, small revenue cycle issues show up quickly on the bottom line.
Source: Medical Economics
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Are 3rd-Party Booking Apps Worth It?
About 17 percent of medical group leaders said their organization pays for listings or bookings on third-party platforms such as Zocdoc or Healthgrades, while 77 percent do not, according to a 9.15.26, MGMA Stat poll.
The relatively low adoption rate fits what respondents said about where new patients actually come from.
Source: MGMA
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Is Medical Lit Taking Aim at AI?
An analysis of more than 16,700 medical-AI abstracts found that the proportion classified as critical increased from 25.4 percent in 2021 to 32.6 percent from January through April 2026, although cautious optimism remained the most common stance.
Among publications classified as critical, attention has increasingly focused on patient safety and AI errors. The findings reflect changes in medical-AI discourse and do not establish that AI systems have become more error-prone or less safe.
Medical journals appear to be taking a somewhat more critical approach to artificial intelligence (AI), with recent publications placing greater emphasis on errors and patient safety, according to a new preprint.
Source: Telehealth.org
Webinar: Lower Extremity Applications of Orthobiological Products
This educational webinar by Kurt Massey, DPM, will provide participants with an evidence-based overview of orthobiological products and their applications in lower extremity surgery.
The presentation will review the characteristics and properties of commonly used orthobiological products, as well as their proposed mechanisms of action and potential role in promoting tissue healing. The presentation will also review current scientific literature regarding the use of orthobiologics in lower extremity procedures and highlight specific surgical applications where these products are utilized.
Thursday, 10.29, noon Eastern
Source: Present Podiatry
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House Hearing Assesses Medicare Payments
A House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing Sept. 15 examined more than a dozen bills, including those aimed at reforming Medicare physician payment. Much of the hearing centered on a shared concern raised by lawmakers and witnesses: that the Medicare physician payment system is contributing to independent practices closing or consolidating, particularly in rural areas.
Source: Becker’s Physician Leadership
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Associate Wanted
Practice seeks associate in Connecticut. Owner will stay for transition. Full privileges available. Fax resume to 203-729-9046.
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