David Mullens is a Podiatric Surgeon and Californian health care attorney. On this episode, we cover some simple tactics every podiatrist should be using to protect themselves from insurance companies, and also how to avoid getting taken to the cleaners legally.
All podiatrists, regardless of country, face similar legal issues, and it's essential to understand how to validate your treatment.
Four Questions When Charting
- What was wrong with the patient
- What did you do?
- Why did you do it?
- What are you going to do?
Take Photos
When patients problems are visual, you should be taking before and after photos and storing them in the cloud for future use, if needed.
File each photo using the patients' initials, the date and insurance number if you have it.
Overservicing
Most podiatrists are cheating themselves by under-utilising item numbers/codes because they have a fear of insurance company audits.
Did you know many insurance companies have a room full of lawyers and health professionals on their payroll to try and intimidate you?
If you can justify your treatment, don't be concerned if you're using an item number/code more than your peers, it may be a reflection of the type of services and treatment you offer.
Final Tip
Don't do things that you know are over your head. No one has ever got in trouble for referring a patient to someone more skilled in a particular area.
If you have any questions about this podcast, please email me at tf@tysonfranklin.com, or you can connect with David at ddmullens@gmail.com, and on Linkedin at David Mullen, DPM.
David is also the author of "How to Win Medicare Appeals", available from the American Bar Association and Amazon.
Podiatry Business Coaching
If you want to own and operate a Thriving Podiatry Business, there are four vital pieces to the business puzzle.
- Marketing - You need a well thought out marketing strategy, not just more tactics.
- Systems - You need systems that will support your marketing strategy and your team.
- Team - You need to develop a team culture that makes your work-life balance easier, not harder.
- Diary - Your diary needs to be structured in a way that maximises patient numbers and increases daily profits.
You have two choices: There's the slow approach, where you learn by trial and error and do everything yourself, or you can fast-track your education and business success with one-on-one Business Coaching or join my next 12-Week Podiatry Business Reboot group coaching program.
If you want to know more, please email me at and we can set up a Zoom Call and have a quick chat to see if I can be of assistance.
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