Specific topics of interest are listed, though other topics will be considered by the Scientific Committee: 

•           Practice Management - Billing and Coding; Physician Recruitment; Staff Retention; etc.
•           Woundcare
•           Podiatric Surgery - Minimally invasive procedures; surgical pearls; etc. 
•           Pain Management
•           Biomechanics
•           Risk Management

Speakers will be asked to submit a session title and brief abstract. All accepted speakers will be notified by February 29, 2024. 

The 2024 APMA Region One Conference will be held at The Westin Waltham Boston in Waltham, MA on October 25-26, 2024.

Returning for 2024 will be CPR recertification!

Call For Presenters
A call for presenters will be open from January 2-January 31, 2024. Speakers are invited to submit a proposal on topics that are timely and relevant to DPM colleagues. Specific topics of interest are listed, though other topics will be considered by the Scientific Committee: 

• Practice Management - Billing and Coding; Physician Recruitment; Staff Retention; etc.
• Woundcare
• Podiatric Surgery - Minimally invasive procedures; surgical pearls; etc. 
• Pain Management
• Biomechanics
• Risk Management

Speakers will be asked to submit a session title and brief abstract. All accepted speakers will be notified by February 29, 2024. 

Poster Session
The Poster Session will take place Saturday morning, October 26. Additional information will be shared this spring for Residents and Practicing DPMs to submit a poster. 

Complications Session
The New England Complications Conference Session will take place Saturday afternoon, October 26. Additional information will be shared this spring for Residents and Practicing DPMs to submit a case. 

Exhibitor Information
Exhibit and sponsor registration will open in January. We have been listening to your feedback about optimal vendor layout and space and believe the 2024 location will not disappoint in terms of vendor layout and opportunity for quality attendee interaction. In 2024 we plan to offer lead generation using the attendee app, plus a compact meeting layout which places the session and breakout room directly in the center of the exhibit areas. You will also be able to view and select preferences for your vendor table during the registration process. 

If you have additional feedback about improving your vendor experience, please reach out directly to Karen Regan, Meeting Planner. 

Complications Track General Information

• The track will take place on Saturday, October 14 from 9:00 AM-4:45 PM at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel
• The presentations will be arranged panel-style with a mix of Residents, Attendings, Community Practitioners, and a Moderator for each session. Each presentation will be 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A from the audience. Each hour will have approximately three presentations.
• All members of the panel will be required to submit a faculty disclosure, as per CPME guidelines. All DPMs presenting a case will also be required to submit their presentation materials ahead of time for review.

Guidelines for Submission & Details for Presenters

• Interested participants should submit their case ideas via  this form  by  Friday, September 8 .
• Any practitioner with an interesting case is invited to submit - non-surgical cases are welcome in addition to surgical cases.
• Residents who present a case will receive complimentary registration for the full day on Saturday. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, breaks, and all education sessions. DPMs in practice (post-residency) who present a case will receive $100 off their registration fee.
• The Scientific Committee will review and accept submissions on a rolling basis. All submissions will receive participation confirmation no later than September 12.
• Once accepted, the faculty disclosure must be submitted by September 22 and materials must be submitted by September 29.
• Residents planning to participate in the Poster Session are eligible to submit the same case for both sessions.

For more information, please contact Executive Director, Libby Maynard and click here!

Thank you in advance for your submissions, and we are excited to host New England Complications this fall!

Section 9 of chapter 260 of the acts of 2020 requires the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Drug Control Program (DCP) to synchronize the term and expiration dates of your Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR) with your Board issued Podiatry license. For podiatrists this means the next time you renew your MCSR, it will now have a term of 1 year instead of 3 and will be synchronized with your Board issued Podiatry license.

To implement this requirement, the next time you renew your Podiatrist MCSR, it will have a term of at least one year and expire on December 31st of the following year.
Example: My current MCSR expires 3/16/2024; when renewed will expire December 31, 2025
Example: My current MCSR expires 3/16/2025; when renewed will expire December 31, 2026
Example: My current MCSR expires 3/16/2026; when renewed will expire December 31, 2027

As set forth in the Executive Office of Administration and Finance’s rate regulation, 801 CMR 4.02, the fee for MCSR registration and renewal is $150 annually. Certain practitioners have been paying a fee of $150 for a 3-year MCSR, while others have been paying $150 annually. Henceforth all practitioners will be paying the annual fee of $150.

We are pleased to announce one stop shopping! You will now renew your MCSR on-line through the same portal as your Board issued Podiatry license.

You will be receiving instructions via email to link your current MCSR to your existing account in the DPH eLicensing system.

Important Changes To The MCSR Renewal Process

• The FBI took down a Russian Bot Net Server that target the Internet of Things (IoT).The Internet of things are devices that are connected to the internet that are not computers and computer related equipment including but not limited to Doorbell Cameras, Home and Office Security Systems, IV Pumps, and any other device that you can control by an app on your cell phone.
• The US and German took down a major server hub that sold stolen information including stolen medical information
• The US Government has issued warnings that Russian hackers are likely to target computers and servers that are part of the US infrastructure in response to the sanctions levied.

Medical Identity theft is big business and the health information on people in the US may be a high value target to Russian hackers.  This means your data is at much greater risk than it was just a few months ago.   The HIPAA regulations require us to take all reasonable precautions to protect our data and failing to do so is a HIPAA violation.

In addition, if you get ransomware and you pay the ransom you may be paying money to a country or organization that has been labeled a terrorist organization and that is a violation of Patriot act and This law, anyone who provides so-called material support to a designated terrorist organization can be prosecuted. Using this law, the Justice Department has convicted hundreds of Americans.  (USA PATRIOT Act | FinCEN.gov)

This means you need to be even more vigilant in protecting your data than ever before.

One of the ways we can prevent breaches and HIPAA events, and one way we protect ourselves against fines from the federal government is to share information when we have an event, so that others do not fall victim to the same type of hack or intrusion that attacked our systems.

To assist you in that endeavor the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has published a fact sheet to assist you in event reporting.  (Sharing Cyber Event Information With CISA: Observe, Act, Report).   This guidance document includes 10 key elements to share with the government include:

1. Incident date and time
2. Incident location
3. Type of observed activity
4. Detailed narrative of the event
5. Number of people or systems affected
6. Company/Organization name
7. Point of Contact details
8. Severity of event
9. Critical Infrastructure Sector if known
10. Anyone else you informed

We strongly advise you to download the document and keep it handy so that you can become part of the collective shield that protects all medical practices from a cybersecurity event.  This is truly a case where can help ourselves by helping others.

TLD Systems assists practices of all sized to implement strategies that will help to avoid a cybersecurity event with the goal of never needing to report a cybersecurity event in your practice.   For more information, please contact TLD Systems

Our webpage https:/www.tldsystems.com

Our Phone number (631) 403 6687

My direct email mbrody@tldsystems.com

Let the TLD Systems team be your resource to help YOU protect YOUR DATA.

On March 21, 2022, MassHealth will implement changes to the Eligibility Verification System (EVS) and the HIPAA Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response (270/271) transaction to include the additional benefit plans:

• COVID Uninsured Coverage
• CMSP
• Limited
• HSN

Trading Partner Testing (TPT) will be conducted from 2/14/2022 through 3/11/2022. Testing is not mandatory, however, MassHealth urges Trading Partners and vendors to test during this timeframe. If you plan to participate or have questions about TPT testing, please contact MassHealth EDI at edi@mahealth.net.

Trading partners should visit the MassHealth HIPAA Companion Guides webpage listed below to evaluate the changes outlined in the MassHealth HIPAA Health Care Eligibility Benefit Inquiry and Response (270/271) Companion Guide, and ensure that their systems can accept the additional benefit plan information:

https://www.mass.gov/lists/masshealth-hipaa-companion-guides

If you have general questions, please contact the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 1-800-841-2900 or edi@mahealth.net. If you are an LTSS provider, please contact LTSS Provider Service Center at (844) 368-5184 or support@masshealthltss.com.

As Boston gets colder by the day and the snow falls all around, many of us strap on our favorite winter boots, keeping our feet warm and protected. However, in our very own greater Boston community, there are hundreds of people (women, men, children) without a good quality pair of shoes in their closets, unknowingly exposing themselves to foot conditions like frostbite and other dangerous infections. An often overlooked problem, our Boston-based nonprofit women empowerment organization, Women Who Win, wanted to help solve this issue through launching an exciting philanthropic initiative, The Shoe Project.

This Holiday Season, the Women Who Win team spearheaded shoe donations and also provided foot health educational materials  to Boston populations in dire need, including Haitian refugees, women’s shelter residents, and adult day health centers. They partnered with renowned companies and organizations including Hoka Apparel to ensure we are providing high-quality, podiatrist approved shoes.

Haitain refugees have faced a significant plight, and there are hundreds of them across Massachusetts, struggling to find basic essentials. A major humanitarian crisis around the world and in our neck of the woods, the Women Who Win team excitedly joined the Gift of Gratitude project on December 19th, an event where they provided vaccine clinics, and other basic essentials like blankets etc. to Haitians in need. We led a shoe donation drive at the event with the Indian Medical Association of New England (IMANE), and were able to donate over 150 shoes to these refugees. The First Haitian-American City Councilor of Boston Ruthzee Louijeane stated, “It was really wonderful to see communities coming together to support our immigrants. We are in a difficult season right now that really asks us to look out for each other. Few things demonstrate that more than welcoming the stranger in our midst.”

Women’s shelters also expressed a strong need for new shoes for their residents. We organized donations with the St Patricks Shelter in Somerville Massachusetts, and at the Forever Young Adult Day Care in Hyde Park. Residents at the shelter often work 2 jobs a day to make ends meet, in worn-out shoes putting their feet at risk and discomfort. The women were elated to receive a new pair of shoes for the new year, and felt empowered and equipped in their new footwear. The thrill of a new pair of shoes is one we can all relate too, and we were excited to provide this feeling to over 150 women across these shelters.

The Shoe Project is a philanthropic initiative under Women Who Win, a nonprofit organization founded by three Boston residents, Dr. Manju Sheth, Dr. Deepa Jhaveri, and Shaleen Sheth. Dr Manju Sheth is a physician at Beth Israel Lahey health with a passion for media. She is president and Co- founder of INE multimedia and Women Who Win. Dr. Deepa Jhaveri is a podiatrist and the President-Elect of the Indian Medical Association of New England. Shaleen Sheth is a co-founder of Women Who Win with a passion for technology and nonprofit leadership. The Shoe Project was born with the mission to empower communities one step at a time. The Shoe Project has worked with and been supported by IMANE, Boston Medical Center, the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association), Deckers X Lab, Hoka Apparel, Lion’s Club, and Rotary Club.  Our co-founder, Dr. Deepa Jhaveri, a podiatrist states, “this project is very close to my heart as it ties in my profession and my Indian roots to create an immense impact in the daily lives of hundreds of people by preventing limb threatening foot infections. This project has also created a buzz in the podiatry community, particularly with Indian-American podiatrists as well as major footwear companies who have offered tremendous support for this initiative.”

To support The Shoe Project and Donate Shoes to a Local Community in Need with Women Who Win, visit them here

To learn more, view the links below.

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/requirements-related-surprise-billing-part-ii-interim-final-rule-comment-period

https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/Policies-and-Resources/Provider-requirements-and-resources

Please note, that each user is solely responsible for the use of their ID and should not share it with anyone. Sharing user IDs is a violation of the terms that each user has attested to.  MassHealth monitors shared user ID activity on a regular basis.  Any user ID that violates the Terms and Conditions may be subject to termination.

Additionally, each provider organization must be sure that access to the POSC is accurately maintained to ensure that only those persons that should have access to the organization’s data can view, submit, or receive information on behalf of the organization. This includes terminating user IDs once a staff person or affiliate has left your organization or terminated the affiliation. MassHealth encourages providers to establish and maintain a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual review of all user access to safeguard the organization’s MassHealth information.

Onychodystrophy PCR Test with Terbinafine Resistance

Know before you treat

• Eliminate terbinafine “watchful waiting” period
• Avoid unnecessary medications & potential side effects
• Increase treatment efficacy & patient satisfaction

While terbinafine is most often prescribed for onychomycosis caused by dermatophytic fungi, an increasing rate of cases with terbinafine mutations may be impeding treatment success.

To date, 12 specific genetic mutations have been identified in Trichophyton genera, primarily T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes complex, which confer terbinafine resistance.

The new BakoDx Onychodystrophy PCR test with terbinafine resistance enables you to understand the likelihood of treatment effectiveness in days, instead of months.

Learn More Here

The APMA Region One Conference is the largest gathering of podiatric professionals in New England. This year's event will feature 16 hours of educational sessions that include individual lectures, panel discussions and hands-on workshops. Topics of interest will include minimally invasive procedures, pediatric biomechanics, infectious diseases and practice management.

The conference will also have a track for office assistants and provide an opportunity for attendees to re-certify for CPR/AED.

2021 Keynote Speaker, Patrick DeHeer, DPM

This year's keynote speaker will be Patrick DeHeer, DPM, Board Certified Podiatrist Foot & Ankle Surgeon from Franklin, IN. As a board-certified podiatrist and pediatric specialist, Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM focuses on care of the most complex of foot and ankle ailments. Learn more about Dr. DeHeer. 

Registration is now open! Secure your spot today. 

The Council has appointed an ad hoc advisory committee comprised of representatives of the community of interest related to postdoctoral podiatric medical education to review the standards, requirements, and procedures for approval of fellowship programs. 

As part of the document review process, we wish to obtain the opinions of the podiatric community of interest regarding crucial elements of fellowship programs.  We request your assistance in providing information that is important to this project.  The survey is designed to provide some baseline information for consideration by the committee. Although the survey is anonymous, we ask that you provide some basic information. 

Please click here complete the survey by September 30, 2021.  
 
If you have any questions, please email the Council staff liaison for the fellowship ad hoc committee, Bertus Tempelhoff, at btempelhoff@cpme.org.
  
We appreciate your assistance and contribution to this process.

The MA Board of Registration in Podiatry has released a statement providing guidance on DPMs administering vaccines. The statement reads:

Podiatrists are licensed under the authority of G.L. c. 112, Section 13 et. seq. and 249 CMR 2.00 et. seq. to practice podiatry. Podiatrists are also authorized under G.L. c. 94C, Section 7 and 105 CMR 700.004 (C)(1)(d) to dispense controlled substances. At its meeting on February 9, 2021, the Board of Registration in Podiatry voted that, based on their education, training and experience, podiatrists may administer vaccines, including the COVID vaccine, because it is within their scope of practice.

What does this mean for you? If you are a license Podiatrist in Massachusetts you may participate in vaccination efforts ongoing in the Commonwealth. MFAS has been in contact with the Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, and other stakeholders to ensure they are aware of this guidance. We will provide further efforts and opportunities be get involved in vaccination efforts as that information becomes available to us. Click here to download a PDF of thestatement from the BORP.

• David B. Alper
• Jennifer Buchanan
• Elizabeth Maynard
• Pam McKenna
• Hau T. Pham
• Jeffrey Rock
• Zachary Sax
• Michael H. Theodoulou
• Anthony Tickner
• Walter Wolf

Donate now!

For the first time in years, the Massachusetts legislature extended its formal sessions until the end of the year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As you may recall, MFAS was able to work with the Massachusetts Senate to pass the podiatric scope language in late June. Included within the Senate’s “Putting Patients First” legislation (SB2796), the podiatric scope of practice language was not, however, included in the health care reform initiative (HB 4888) passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives at the very end of July. In passing their differing versions of health care reform, each branch passed measures related to telehealth, out-of-network (“surprise medical billing”) and scope of practice reforms. Needing to reconcile their differences, a Conference Committee of three Representatives and three Senators was therefore appointed to negotiate the differences in language.

The Conference Committee on health care reform had been meeting sporadically due to the election cycle, but post-election, the Conference Committee has been meeting more regularly. To further educate legislators, MFAS initiated a pre-election call to action and a post-election call to action for member outreach to legislators, underscoring the importance of updating podiatry’s scope of practice in statute. As well, MFAS has met with House and Senate leadership and members of the Conference Committee. Finally, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and MFAS, respectively, submitted official letters urging the Conference Committee to ensure the state’s practice law clearly matches state regulation.  As of the time of this writing, the Conference Committee has not issued a final report for the legislature to send to Governor Charlie Baker. It is thought that the House of Representatives will continue to push for a narrow bill, focused on immediate COVID-19 related measures, while the Senate will continue to push for more forward-thinking action.

With respect to other matters, given the success in defeating legislation to place the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Podiatry (Board) under the direct control of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, MFAS has continued to work with the DPL and the Board to ensure podiatrists can continue to work during this time of COVID-19. To that end, MFAS has worked with the Board and DPL to ensure flexibility in meeting continuing education requirements as well as flexibility in the ability to utilize telehealth. In mid-November, MFAS leadership met virtually with DPL Commissioner Layla D’Emilia to discuss MFAS’s goals and objectives for the upcoming year.

Finally, MFAS continues to weigh in with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to offer any assistance possible as the Commonwealth tackles the COVID-19 pandemic. In late October, MFAS submitted a letter to HHS Secretary Marylou Sudders, DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel and the Commonwealth’s Vaccine Task Force in support of podiatrists administering an eventual COVID-19 vaccine.

As we have all experienced, 2020 has been a unique and challenging year. While the normal means of advoacy have been limited, MFAS’ Board has adapted as best possible. In fact, this Fall, the MFAS Board has initiated virtual meetings with each respective Board members’ elected officials in an effort to buttress the profession’s support in the State House this Fall. As we enter the 2021-2022 legislative session, expect to see MFAS expand its efforts continue to grow. Already, MFAS has begun outreach to the 19 new legislators entering the Massachusetts legislature in January 2021.

On a personal note, I recently opened my own government relations firm, Cascade Strategies, LLC, on October 1^st. I want to thank the Board of MFAS for their continued trust and support. It is honor to work with a dedicated group of men and women who strive to improve patients’ lives every day. Moreover, it is a privilege to work for an association that remains dedicated to its members. With that in mind, the strength of any association remains its membership. When MFAS contacts you about taking action or getting involved, please do so for the future of your chosen profession.