So now we have telemonitoring.  Not Telemedicine.  Telemonitoring. 

If you do not know what this is, you can attend a free seminar by those stalwarts of ethics and academics.

That is Ira Krause and the APMA executive directors’ lover boy, Jeffrey Lehrman.  

Podiatrists justifying billing for telemedicine visits is bad enough.  But telemonitoring? 

Yes indeed, if there is a loophole or ability to stretch the indications for something that’s paid for you can bet podiatry will find it.

Let’s take a look at the intention of telemonitoring in medicine versus podiatry.

Medicine (real doctors)

“OK Mrs. Jones, let me see your blood pressure reading today”.

Podiatry (picture Elliott Udell)

“OK Mrs. Jones.  How are the toe spacers I gave you working to keep that nasty corn from coming back.  Would you like to buy some more” ?

Medicine (real doctors)

“OK Mr. Johnson.   Let me see your last rhythm strip transmission to check your arrhythmia”.

Podiatry (picture any Barry Block sycophant)

“OK Mr. Johnson.  How is that cream working to improve that dry skin ?  Can I fill your order to sell you some more before you run out ?

Medicine (real doctors)

“Let me check that blood glucose monitor to see how you’re doing in controlling your diabetes over the last month”.

Podiatry (typical PM News reader)

“Yes that laser certainly seems to be clearing your nasty fungal toenail.   I’ll check back in another month to see how much clearing you actually have. 

By the way you can use Silvadene on that laser burn”.

Medicine (real doctors)

“Your psoriasis appears to be responding nicely to our current therapy.  We will continue this for the next two months.  We will check you at that time”.

Podiatry (FABI graduate)

“I’m glad those orthotics are working well for you.  You probably need another pair for your slippers. 

And of course for when you’re in the shower, and for your dress shoes”.

Thank God for the teleconference and telemonitoring codes.  Make sure you take 20 courses so that you finally understand how you can take advantage of the system pretending to do the things that real doctors do.  You see that is how podiatry advances.  We take advantage of everything that is intended for real doctors taking care of real diseases.

Remember the following podiatry mantra:

“It is better to learn to code than to learn the medicine”.  And a shitload easier.