APMA News - June 2013 - (Page 44)

IT Consultant By James R. Christina, DPM Data-Driven This month, I am not going to discuss the latest smartphones, computers, CMS incentive programs, or preparation for Stage 2 of meaningful use. Instead, this column is about something that will increasingly drive health care in the future—data. Data can be gathered from a number of different sources, and the validity of the data can vary from source to source. There are the data generated from randomized, controlled clinical trials to demonstrate or determine the efficacy of a treatment protocol or medication. This type of clinical trial data often drives the development of clinical practice guidelines, which in turn may lead to clinical quality measures that may impact your delivery of health care to your patients. There are data from registries, and there are data from insurance claims. APMA contracted with Thomson Reuters and used data from insurance claims as the basis for the study that demonstrated the value of care by podiatrists in treating people with diabetes who developed a foot ulcer (www.apma.org/podia tristvalue). APMA also has data from 2008–2010 from the Thomson Reuters Market Scan database for 300 procedural codes frequently billed by podiatrists. These data include all providers who billed the codes as well as the average each was reimbursed for the codes. So what kind of information can we glean from this database? Consider that of the approximately 90,000 commercial insurance claims for procedure code 28296 (Correction, hallux valgus [bunion], with or without sesamoidectomy; with metatarsal osteotomy) in 2010, podiatrists billed for about 70,500 of them—about 78 percent. Given these numbers, is there any question who drives this code and who is Looking for patienteducation materials for your website? Visit APMA.org/ Learn most qualified to provide this service? These data have been invaluable when dealing with insurance companies, as well as demonstrating to state legislators that podiatrists provide the majority of foot care designated by certain procedure codes. Another form of health-care data is available with regard to relative value units (RVU). Essentially, these data relate the value (in terms of time, intensity, and complexity) of one procedure relative to another procedure, and they are tied to Current Procedural Terminology codes. These values are determined by: • • • • the time it takes to perform the service; the technical skill and physical effort; the required mental effort and judgment; and stress due to the potential risk to the patient. These data can be invaluable when a podiatrist tries to negotiate a contract with a hospital, large multispecialty group, or HMO. A podiatrist must be paid based on the same RVU for a procedure as other health-care providers who bill for the same procedure. These data, combined with the frequency with which a podiatrist might bill a certain procedure code, allow the podiatrist to demonstrate the value he or she brings to a group, clinic, or hospital. Knowledge of these data regarding RVUs is necessary to negotiate hospital contracts effectively. Finally, there are data derived from surveys. While these data, which are usually self-reported, are not as scientific as results from a randomized, controlled trial, they are essential data that can be used for many purposes. To that end, APMA is again conducting a podiatric practice survey for 2013. The survey will focus on data provided by APMA members using information from their practice of podiatry in 2012. It is a short survey that can be completed online in less than five minutes. APMA seeks to gather essential information about members’ income, employment status, board certification, etc. Members are constantly asking APMA for this type of information; the practice survey is our best way to obtain it. The more respondents we have, the more valid the data become. As you read this article, the survey is probably nearing a close (it will end on June 14), so please take a few minutes to complete the survey before it’s too late! Information is power, and the information you supply helps you and APMA advance the profession. The survey can be found online at www.surveymonkey. com/s/podiatrypractice2013. n Contact Dr. Christina at jrchristina@apma.org. 44 APMA News June 2013 http://www.apma.org/podiatristvalue http://www.apma.org/podiatristvalue http://www.APMA.org/Learn http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/podiatrypractice2013 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/podiatrypractice2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - June 2013

APMA News - June 2013
President’s Message
Table of Contents
The Boston Marathon Bombings: Podiatrists on the Front Line
Committee Nominations Requested
What’s the Deal with Biomechanics? How One APMA Member Helped Jerry Seinfeld End Years of Pain
The New Wave of HIPAA Changes: The Final Omnibus Rule of 2013
APMA State Advocacy Forum
Resolutions Submission Deadlines
Emotional Intelligence and Residency Education
Practice Survey Data: Practice Owner Type
It’s All Happening at The National!
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Forms
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
APMAPAC Chair Report
Coverage Corner
IT Consultant
Inside APMA’s Social Media
Bylaws Propositions Due
Website Wisdom
On the Road with APMA
Small Business 101
CPME Update
Young Physicians’ Accomplishments
Worthy of Note
Affiliates Corner
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - June 2013