American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM)

Although the name of our organization is the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management, I want you to not only think of what you are doing is running a medical practice, but running a medical business. The way to become successful is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals that will help you not only have the practice you want but have the practice you deserve. By sharing and implementing strategies that you learn about through AAPPM webinars and attending our annual meeting, you will be able to achieve the success you want, and its easier than you think. Alan Bass, DPM, Vice-President, AAPPM

What will you BEGIN today?

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Do you ever feel your office is like a runaway train, headed downhill with a curve coming, speed is building, and you know you need to do something fast, but don’t know whether you can stop it or should you just jump off before it flies off the rails and crashes?

I remember this happening in our office, it took a while to really figure out what was causing it. We were out of sync with each other and needed to regroup our team. I used what I call the Three Rs to get things back in order, Reassess, Regroup and Redirect.

First, I needed to assess the situation. I did this by talking individually with the doctor and each staff member to find out what they felt was working and what was not working in the office. I found it was best to ask the same questions of each staff person so I could get specifics and more depth in what I wanted to know.

Each staff member sees things a bit differently depending on what they do in the office. I asked each person their OBSERVATIONS, NOT their OPINIONS about how the team was functioning. This allowed me to identify the problems more clearly and objectively.

We called a staff meeting and went over the issues at hand. As we discussed these things, we all felt a surge of new excitement about our office and what we do there each day. We set a couple of new goals and gave ourselves deadlines as to when we would have them completed.

It was really great and motivating for the entire team! Everyone felt good as we ended our meeting, each excited about the new goals we had set and ready to get started on them.

The week following our regroup/redirect meeting was one of those weeks that presented with challenge after challenge. What was amazing is that everyone’s attitude was great.

The second amazing thing was when Friday came, we all were very glad for the weekend break, but not one of us dreaded the thought of coming back on Monday.

Tina Del Buono, PMAC
[email protected]

A team is not a group of people who work together

A team is a group of people who trust each other. The author Simon Sinek said this and how true it is. Trust is a force multiplier that can’t be overstated. When you reflect on this idea and your office team, how would you grade yourselves? It’s a great question to ask you and your team. How would you make that grade go up? It’s always about communicating better. And sometimes you need time away from the office so you and your team can slow down, so you can speed up and improve later.

The Annual Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on November 7th, 8th, and 9th is a great way to get a jump start. Block your calendar now and plan to attend and then use this as a springboard to create a high performing team that trusts each other. I’ll see you there!

https://ow.ly/VY7E50RJ1ca

Hey! Have you signed up yet for the AAPPM annual fall conference at the Lago Mar resort? Come on down to Florida and join us! You should jump right over to the AAPPM website and get onboard this train. This seminar provides some of the most comprehensive information on practice management and enhancement. Coding, compliance, staffing issues, vendor management and compliant ways to enhance your revenue stream. Please take the time to sign up, come visit us and be part of the AAPPM team. Memberships are also available and we encourage you to join us!!

Here is the Annual Conference info: https://ow.ly/Zc9550SphRO

Here is info on joining/renewing membership: https://ow.ly/VLfP50SphRP

Don’t pay for someone else’s convenience.

The most common monetary transactions these days are credit and debit cards (AKA plastic transactions). If you accept these forms of payment, there are fees charged by the credit card processing companies, the average of which is about three percent. Your patients have a choice to use checks or cash, where no fees are charged. If they choose to use plastic why would you pay the credit card processing fees? More than likely you are paying these fees when making purchases at other businesses. These fees add up to thousands or even tens of thousands annually.

The amount you are able to charge the payer on plastic transactions is state dependent, so one must know these laws. At this point in time, paying fees on credit cards is almost universal and accepted. When dealing with credit card processing companies you have two basic choices. You pay the company the fees they charge and charge the patients a fee to offset this. The other is choosing an option where you pay a low monthly fee to the processing company, and the company transfers the transaction fee directly to the patient’s credit card. This makes the accounting much easier, and the patient doesn’t feel you are charging the fee. After all, the credit card is charging the fee, you are not.

Unmasking mimickers. Many nail conditions look like onychomycosis, including chronic trauma, retronychia, psoriasis, onychogryphosis, lichen planus, and onychoschizia.

Excerpt from the AAD article: "What's The Fuss About Fungus."

At Sagis Diagnostics, their board-certified dermatopathologists are trained to determine the difference, so you don't have to guess.

Pre-authorization is crucial for most HMO health insurance plans and tricky to comply with when visiting nursing home facilities. But here's a tip to prevent denials: immediately seek the necessary pre-authorization upon returning from the facility. Insurance carriers often allow up to 48 hours after the service to issue this, so timing is everything! ⏳
By Gisele Saenger, BA, MISM, PM (https://ow.ly/fC3C50RNi08)

If you have not attended a meeting, or joined AAPPM yet, it is time to do so. has assisted more practices with practice enhancement tips than any other entity in podiatric medicine and surgery. In today's challenging market of healthcare, we need all the help we can get to overcome the regulatory burdens, the reimbursement challenges and simple survival in practice. AAPPM has a plethora of utilities to help one achieve the success in practice that we have all worked for. Please follow us on social media, come to our meetings and become part of this vibrant community of your colleagues. Here's to your success!

Past President Dr. Ben Weaver shares the wisdom and benefits of a morning huddle.

https://ow.ly/vZyA50RYPzC

How have I found a way to work smarter and not harder? That’s easy to answer. Years ago, I became involved with AAPPM. The members of the organization have shared ideas and strategies that allowed me to focus on my practice and my patients and helped me get off the hamster wheel of trying to see more patients to make more money. With comprehensive marketing strategies and other areas such as coding, I have been able to provide my patients the highest quality care and build a successful practice along with it. I encourage you to not only join AAPPM, but attend the annual meeting, November 7-9 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Alan Bass, DPM, Vice-President, AAPPM

Many believe that motivation is something external, a fleeting feeling that comes and goes. But the truth is, there is no such thing as motivation in the traditional sense. True motivation is an unwavering commitment fueled by an unshakeable purpose. It's the result of having a "big why" that drives you to take relentless action.

Successful people do what others don’t and they do things when they truly don’t want to do them. That is because they have that big why and they push themselves to act. Action is the cure for everything. When you act, you develop momentum.

Motivation without a clear vision and purpose is like a ship without a rudder. It's essential to define your goals and create a compelling vision that ignites a fire within your soul. Imagine the life you desire, the impact you want to make, and the legacy you want to leave behind. Visualize it with vivid detail, and let that vision become your guiding light.

Your "big why" is the reason that propels you forward when challenges arise. It's the deep-rooted purpose that gives meaning to your actions. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to achieve this goal?" Dig deep within and uncover the emotional connection that drives you. When your "why" is strong enough, the "how" becomes clear.

Once you've identified your "big why" and aligned your actions with your vision, a profound transformation occurs. Every day becomes an opportunity to live with purpose and passion. You become unstoppable, driven by an inner fire that pushes you beyond your limits. Challenges become stepping stones, and setbacks become fuel for growth.

Motivation is not an elusive force that magically appears; it's a state of being. By becoming the person you want to be and embracing a clear vision and purpose, you unlock the wellspring of motivation within. Remember, there is no such thing as motivation; it's about finding your "big why" and living a life of purpose. Today, make the commitment to unleash the power within and create a life that truly excites you. The journey starts now, and the possibilities are limitless.

Dr. Peter Wishnie
https://ow.ly/c9OU50SfW8i

Director of Physician Programming
Top Practices

What Does your practice generate in revenue every hour you are in clinic with patients?

One of the most important number podiatrists need to know is how much money they generate every hour they and their staff are seeing patients in clinic. I’ve done the work and found that on average practice generate $550/Hour when they are in clinic and seeing patients. This can range from a low of $200/hour to a high of $1350/hour. Many factors can affect this number including how you want to practice for example more or less surgeries. This number is an insightful indicator of how efficient your practice (your business) is. It is a function of how well you use your people, your treatment rooms, and your time. Except for your bottom-line profitability, this is quite possibly the most important number you need to know. You can explore more benchmarks and strategies here.

www.toppractices.com

My top four reasons to be among the friendliest group in podiatry at the beautiful Lago Mar Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale this November for our annual meeting:

1) Be inspired by hearing success stories from other practices and innovative ideas from other attendees and speakers.
2) Learn how to stay ahead of the curve in this challenging healthcare environment.
3) Develop relationships with pre-screened and handpicked Corporate Partners (vendors) who can provide valuable resources and support for my practice.
4) Take a day or two to relax on the private beach or by the luxurious pool and recharge my batteries so I can hit the ground running when I get back to the office.

See you there!

Hey there! Let's talk about motivation. You know how it is - sometimes it's through the roof, and other times it's dwindling. Well, I've found a secret to keeping that motivation consistent: daily habits!

For me, the game-changer has been getting an Audible subscription. I get two books a month, and I'm always listening to something positive, marketing-related, or personal development-focused on my way to work. It's the perfect way to start the day, get pumped, and stay motivated!

But that's not all - podcasts are also a huge part of my daily routine! I've got some favorites that I always listen to, and I'll share some links with you so you can check them out. The best part? I can download and subscribe to them right on my Audible app, so everything is in one place. Easy peasy!

Consistency is key, folks! By making these habits a part of my daily routine, I've found that my motivation stays on track, no matter what life throws my way. Give it a try and see what works for you!

I have a short video about my favorite books if you want to check it out -
https://ow.ly/FARs50RfBsJ

According to Bon Elewski, MD, FAAD, and Dr. James Elder, professor and chair of Dermatology at the University of Alabama, “The most important part of approaching a patient with onychomycosis is making the correct diagnosis. If you assume that all abnormal nails are caused by a fungus, then you’re going to be wrong half of the time.”

Excerpt from the AAD article: "What's The Fuss About Fungus."

The board-certified dermatopathologists at Sagis Diagnostics ensure that every specimen is meticulously examined, providing precise and reliable results for comprehensive patient care.

Another great resource for podiatry! Did you know AAPPM members have access to “Ask The Experts (ATE)?” Every month, the experts at AAPPM receive practice management questions from our members. The experts all jump in to give a consensus answer to pressing questions that affect our member’s practices. Not everyone is well versed on all aspects of practice management, so even the experts will pose questions for the membership to see. Jump in and let us know your practices challenges such as billing and coding, the legalities of applied charges, medical compliance issues, and anything else you need help with. As the medical practice landscape changes, keep up to date and ahead of the curve.

Here’s a Practice Management PRO-Tip: Regularly review your medical suppliers AND their costs!

Why, you ask? It’s not uncommon for suppliers to subtly hike up prices on certain items without giving you a heads-up. But by periodically assessing your suppliers and reaching out to colleagues for recommendations, you can potentially save your practice up to 5 figures annually depending on your volume.

Make it a habit for a staff member to periodically review your suppliers and contact new ones every six months. Reach out to colleagues in your field and inquire about their experiences with suppliers. You’d be surprised by how much money you can save by simply being proactive and staying informed.

What are you waiting for? Start reviewing those suppliers and watch your savings grow. Your bottom line will thank you later!

Meet your colleagues at the Top Practices Summit! Over three incredible days, Top Practices will give you immediately implementable plans so you can appropriately market your practice for effective, manageable growth. Learn More - https://ow.ly/bIIo50RxFtn

In a world where those of us interested in the business of podiatry becomes more of a rarity, it becomes increasingly important for us to network and learn from one another. There are no classes that teach most of the business principles we learn in the trenches. Membership in both AAPPM and Top Practices has given me the vast majority of knowledge that I use now to run my multi-million-dollar practice. I’ve had some wonderful accountants and financial advisors and lawyers help me through, but nothing compares to the advice of real-world experts who willingly abundantly share at these annual meetings.

So, my invitation today is if you haven’t joined Top Practices or AAPPM and have been thinking about it, do it. It is absolutely the right thing to do and an excellent investment in your future success. Then remember the best part of membership if attending the annual meetings. The strength of these meetings comes from all of us. Remember, we are a shrinking percentage of doctors who care about practice management and love it. We are stronger together.

When your job/career is one that you serve in patient care and service there are a few key things that you need to keep in the forefront of your mind. Because you are in the business of caring for people.

The first and probably the most important is how do you feel about what you are doing? Do you look forward to going to work each day? Once you are there what is it that makes you feel like you are fulfilling your purpose?

You need to be able to put your finger on exactly what it is that you do that makes your job/career one that is satisfying to you. Whether what you are doing now is your “final” career goal or not, it is how you feel about what you are doing each day that shapes your overall attitude while you are there.

It would be great if being a “shining star with a winning attitude” came as a natural thing to all of us every day, but there are things that you can do to cultivate such an attitude on those days when it is tough. Ask yourself these three questions.

• Do I take pride in what I do and the service I deliver each day at work?
• Do I have a passion for what I am doing?
• Do I believe that what I am doing is important not only to those I serve, but to myself?

If you answered yes to all of the questions, then you are headed on the road to cultivating a winning attitude at work. By continually reviewing these questions and asking yourself “how can I make each day better for myself and those I serve” you will continue to grow that attitude.

If you cannot answer yes to these questions then do some serious searching to determine if you are in the right job for you, and if you are, what needs to be happen for you to be able to give a “yes” answer to the above questions. If you are not in the right job for you then you need to find out what is your calling because life is too short not to be working a job, that makes you feel like you are fulfilling your purpose.

Tina Del Buono, PMAC
[email protected]

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You can feel it, can’t you? The changes that are coming to medicine and podiatry are accelerating and the next 2-5 years are truly going to be filled with change. This can be scary. But it shouldn’t be. It can be exciting and laden with positivity and optimism. But that’s going to depend on you. And attending this summit will be one of the smartest steps you can take this year. Learn More - https://ow.ly/KYmn50RxEmC

Don’t be fooled by Medicare Advantage Plans. There has been much in the news regarding hospitals and health care systems dropping their contracts with Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPs). This is due to several reasons including slow reimbursement and invalid denials even on prior authorized services.

Anyone in the revenue cycle understands that inappropriately denied claims requires additional resources to fight the denial and also results in delayed reimbursement. Patients are of course confused when they receive the notice of denial because they thought the service was covered the same as it was in the past.

When you receive these denials, do not be fooled into thinking this is the final word. Medicare sets the standard and guidelines for what services will be covered. The MAPs are required to follow those guidelines when processing claims for payment.

The point I’m stressing is that there can be significant roadblocks for you to be paid appropriately for the services that you provide. Don’t take the denials as the final word and fight for what you are owed. On the other hand, you might want to consider the hospitals option and stop contracting with the offensive MAP(s).

Mary-Ellen Schimmoller
Independent Networking Group, Inc.
https://ow.ly/aimZ50RxFLj

The annual AAPPM Conference is fast approaching! Register for the conference at https://ow.ly/31h450RxGgJ and book your stay at Lago Mar Beach Resort before the room block fills up!

An investment in your staff’s education is an investment in your practice. Learn more in today's Tuesday Tip email.

Take back your practice—and your life—at this year’s Top Practices Summit, September 13-15 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas in Scottsdale, AZ. Learn More button - https://ow.ly/slrp50RxCg4

As I finish my 30th year in practice, my colleagues often ask me, why did I get involved with AAPPM and why do I stay involved with AAPPM? The answer is simple. Unlike other organizations, that early on appeared “cutthroat “ to me, the members of AAPPM have always shared their thoughts, strategies and ideas that helped make themselves successful. They always share with current members and new members. For those of you who are looking for a place that brings all the ideas on how to run a successful practice and is the most friendly, collegial atmosphere, I encourage you to attend the AAPPM Annual Meeting, Nov. 7-9 in at the Lago Mar resort in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Alan Bass, DPM, Vice-President, AAPPM

Losing Money by Inefficiencies in the Office.

There are many things that we can do and do not that cause inefficiencies in our practice. Below are two common inefficiencies that physicians, managers, and staff often encounter that in the long run causes loss of revenue.

Poor Appointment Scheduling: More is not always better; more is only better when your schedule moves smoothly throughout the day. Inefficient appointment scheduling can lead to poor staff use of time as well as long patient wait times. Double booking, inadequate time allocation for certain procedures, or failing to optimize the schedule based on peak times can all contribute to lost revenue opportunities.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Documentation: Patients coming in for services or equipment that was failed to be authorized due to lack of documentation and poor communication systems not only is poor patient care but also impacts billing and reimbursement. If systems are not in order to check after patient visits what is required at their follow-up and patient records are not properly documented, it can lead to delayed patient care and services and even denials from insurance companies. Moreover, spending excessive time correcting errors in documentation keeps staff from more productive tasks.

Addressing these inefficiencies requires a proactive approach, by everyone in the office. By prioritizing these areas, physicians and their managers can streamline operations, enhance productivity, and ultimately improve the financial health of the practice.

Tina Del Buono, PMAC, is a Practice Management Performance Coach, Consultant and Mentor for physicians and her fellow office managers/administrators and their staff. She has been a practice manager for over 25 years. Tina is the author of a National Indie Award Winning Book, “Truth from the Trenches” The Complete Guide to Creating A High-Performing, Inspired Medical Team. [email protected]