I know what you are thinking...living well with chronic pain?!? Some thoughts that went through my head were:
"Are you kidding me...that sounds impossible"
"Sounds like an oxymoron to me."
"Does that mean take lots of pain meds to feel better?"
And I am sure you can think of lots of other things to say! But after you listen to this incredible interview with Dr. Bronnie Thompson, your thoughts will be challenged! You will start to see that yes...you can live well with chronic pain. You can find value and fun in your life doing the things you love despite pain.
In this episode we talk about:
This is the first part of a two-part interview with Dr. Thompson. The second part will air next week!
Thanks for listening and if you like what you are hearing please share it and leave a rating here! Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart!
Karen
***PS....You will also listen to what made me totally break down and cry for the first time on air! Get the tissues ready!
In this podcast I am joined by Rick Gawenda, PT and he answers your burning questions about ICD 10.
Some of the topics we covered in this podcast are:
* The 7th character...what is it and when do you have to use it?
* How many ICD 10 codes need to be on a claim form? Can you ever have too many?
* What are the documentation requirements in the patient's medical records?
* Are the diagnosis codes the same as the treatment codes?
* What are external cause codes for injuries?
* Rick takes us through a few tutorials on how to code based on some diagnoses.
This was a super informative episode! Rick literally knows most of this stuff off the top of his head (which I was very impressed with) and he shares with us a very comprehensive look at the major aspects of the ICD 10 coding system.
Thank you all for listening and please feel free to share with friends and family! And if you like what you are hearing I would be ever so grateful for a review on iTunes!
Have a great week and stay healthy wealthy and smart!
Karen
As any medical professional will tell you, navigating the Medicare system is challenging. Add to that a cash physical therapy business and things can get really confusing! To help get us through this sea of confusion that is Medicare, Dr. Jarod Carter has written a fabulous book entitled Medicare and Cash Pay Physical Therapy. It is a comprehensive guide based on all he has learned from over five years of owning a cash-based clinic and many hours of working with different attorneys and authorities on this subject. Dr. Carter has also been teaching about the private pay business model for a number of years and often consults for in-network practices participating with Medicare. So this book is not only focused solely on the rules as they apply to cash-based practices. It is written for any practice owner wondering how she/he can accept private payment for the variety of services a PT business may provide to beneficiaries.
In this episode we talk about:
* Why Jarod decided to become a physical therapist
* Why and how he started his cash-based PT practice
* What is the difference between participating, non-participating, and no relationship w/ Medicare
* Can a PT opt out of Medicare
* What is an ABN and when is it necessary to use it vs. a private contract with your patients.
* Is there a "loophole" to see Medicare patients in a cash PT model
* And much more!
One thing to remember...if you have any questions about your practice and how it fits in to the Medicare system always contact a healthcare lawyer to help with your specific situation.
Enjoy the podcast and thanks for listening!
Karen
Are you a DPT student or new graduate thinking about opening your own cash based PT clinic one day? if the answer to that questions is yes, then this is the episode for you! In this episode I sit down with Dr. Kevin Prue, the president and director of Prue Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Cary, NC. While I am not a huge fan of new graduates opening their own clinic straight out of college Dr. Prue may have caused my thinking to take some baby steps in that direction.
In this episode Dr. Prue and I discuss:
* His process of creating his business and when he started that process (hint it was not after he graduated!).
* The biggest successes he has had since opening the doors to his clinic.
* The biggest challenges in his business and the steps he has taken to overcome them.
* We go through a quick exercise to find his ideal client to help sharpen his marketing plan. This is something EVERYONE should do before they open a business.
* How he differentiates his clinic from the others in his area.
* His best advice for DPT students thinking about opening a PT business.
* And much, much more!
Dr. Prue's business is about to hit the one year mark and this interview is an honest look at what it takes to be a business owner with all of the highs and lows. Don't forget, it is hard work to own your own business, so if this is something you are thinking about doing at some point in your life be prepared to WORK!
I would love to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of starting a #CashPT business right out of school. Please leave a comment or tell me about on twitter here.
"We are still the same people we just have more equipment." - Kiel Eigen
In honor of September being National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month I was thrilled to interview Kiel Eigen. Kiel became paralyzed during a football game when he was in eighth grade, but like he says it does not stop him from living his life. I interviewed Kiel, along with his physical therapist Dr. Gina Tomassoni a few years ago after he completed a major milestone in his recovery.
In this episode Kiel and I talk about:
* His relationship with his physical and occupational therapists and how important that was for his recovery
* The major milestone he accomplished while still in high school
* How his life has changed since using a new wheelchair from Quantum Rehab
* How the new wheelchair differs from others on the market
* What Kiel does to keep in shape (you might be surprised)
* What his plans are for the future
As a physical therapist it is so important to know your client's point of view and life outside of their PT sessions. If you are not taking that into account I think you are definitely missing the boat and not doing your clients justice. The major takeaways from this podcast are to ask more questions, go beyond the traditional "goals" for your clients and understand their values. Once you know the values that mean the most to your client's only then can you make a comprehensive plan of care and make a major impact in their life.
The American Physical Therapy Association's vision statement is: Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. This is an ambitious vision statement and I for one am OK with ambitious. Now comes the question: How do we do it? In today's episode I speak with Dr. Matthew Taylor about fostering creativity in rehabilitation and how incorporating creativity and compassion into our practice will help to transform our profession. It is important to transform the profession of physical therapy to move towards the vision statement of transforming society.
In this episode we talk about:
* How yoga has transformed Matthew's PT career.
* What is yoga therapy and how does it differ from regular yoga.
* The concept of creativity and how it fits into the practice of PT and wellness.
* How can we transform society.
* The 6 exercises for priming compassion.
* And much more!
This is a great conversation and I feel Matthew gives some concrete steps to help to transform you, the profession and finally society as a whole. So, please enjoy this episode and have a great week!
Karen
In this episode I am thrilled to interview celebrity chef, author and filmmaker Charles Mattocks. Also known as "The Poor Chef" he has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Talk, CNN, Dr. Oz and Martha Stewart. He has also been recently featured at the TEDx conference in San Francisco. In this episode we talk about his newest project Trail By Fire, a movie about CRPS (chronic regional pain syndrome). CRPS is a very difficult diagnosis for the patient, family and caregivers and hopefully this film will bring more national/international attention to this diagnosis.
In this interview we talk about:
* His motivation behind making the movie.
* What he learned from interviewing people living with CRPS.
* His hope for Trial by Fire
* Why he is so passionate about helping people living with CRPS (and diabetes).
* What it is like to be a caregiver to someone living with CRPS.
Charles is so passionate about getting the word out about CRPS and Trial by Fire is a powerful film from the patient's point of view. Often times as healthcare professionals we see the patient for short snippets of time in their lives. As a result we sometimes don’t get the "whole picture" of our patient and that is what I think Charles is doing with this film. I look forward to seeing the finished product!
In this episode I had the distinct pleasure to interview physical therapist, author and mentor Paul Potter. He is genuine, real, and truly wants the best for everyone in the profession of physical therapy. His new book On Fire: Ignite your Passion with a Cash Therapy Practice will be available on Tuesday September 8, 2015. If you are looking for honest, actionable advice on creating the right mindset for a cash based practice and then implementing a roadmap to your ideal business then this is the book for you!
In this podcast Paul and I discuss:
* Why there is a growing interest in the cash PT model.
* Why Paul feels that being a physical therapist is a noble calling (of course I agree!).
* What is the important link between your mindset and starting a practice.
*The main reasons therapists are opting to start a cash PT model.
* How running a successful cash PT business is like competing in a triathlon.
* The 4 essential stages for business success...this is the roadmap!
After listening to this episode I hope that you find your "why" for starting a cash PT business, begin to change your mindset, be firm in your calling as a physical therapist and finally start to plan out your roadmap for success!
Do you want to get your hands on Paul's book On Fire? Check out the links below:
Paul's website http://paulpotterpt.com
Book landing page: http://paulpotterpt.com/onfirebook
Amazon: On Fire:Ignite Your Passion with a Cash Therapy Practice
Amazon: Cash Therapy Practice: Professional Freedom in the New Healthcare Economy
Have a great week and thanks for listening. And remember if you like what you are hearing I would love for you to share this episode with friends/family and please leave a comment below to keep the conversation going! Also, please do leave a rating and/or review on iTunes!
Thanks!
Karen
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Ghandi
This great quote from Ghandi is perfect for this week's episode. Often times we find ourselves so entrenched in our own lives that we forget there is a whole world out there that can benefit from the unique skills we have to give. That is why I am so thankful for my quests in this week’s episode! Dr. Josh D’Angelo and Dr. Efosa Guobadia are physical therapists and the co-founders of the Global PT Day of Service. They are a breathe of fresh air and after listening to this podcast you are going to want them as your new BFFs!
In this episode you will learn:
· What inspired them to create the Global PT Day of Service (and it is a good one).
· How their mutual friendship and respect for each other is a great example of how to live your life.
· Their take on why PTs should be giving back to their communities and how it can help move your business forward.
· Some examples of what they will be doing for the Global PT Day of Service.
· Their vision for the future of the Global PT Day of Service.
· How easy it is for you to get involved in the Global PT Day of Service.
This was such an inspiring interview and I hope that after listening you head over to the Global PT Day of Service, sign up and get ready to be of service to the people in your community. I hear so often that people in our communities don’t know what physical therapy is and what we do for our clients/patients. Getting out there in the community and using our unique set of skills, meeting people in the community and being of service to others sounds like a great way to spread the word about physical therapy!
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Mohammed Ali
How can we bring life, liberty and the pursuit of independence to society? The American Physical Therapy Association's vision statement is: Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. Dr. Cole Galloway and his team at the University of Delaware are taking this vision statement and making it into reality for children and adults with movement restrictions. His love for learning and helping is infectious!
Developmental Psychologist and Pediatric researcher James “Cole” Galloway thinks differently about the role of self-motivated mobility in shaping who we are in early life. As Co-Director of the Pediatric Mobility Lab and Design Studio and Professor at the University of Delaware, he invents assistive devices for children with motor impairments. His approach of combining high tech and low tech—or “go tech”—to restore physical independence and its neurodevelopmental consequences for disabled children has garnered the interest and funding of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Dept of Education, the assistive technology industry and the toy industry.
I first saw Dr. Galloway speak at the TEDMED conference in 2014 where I was introduced to Go Baby Go. To watch his TEDMED talk click here:
In this episode you will learn:
· Dr. Galloway’s journey from PT to Phd to his remarkable work at the University of Delaware.
· The importance of clear communication for researchers and clinicians when it comes to complex concepts.
· How do you communicate in writing these complex concepts: get a step-by-step guide based on the work of Esther Thelen.
· Why you need to step out of your comfort zone and your profession to succeed in innovation.
· What is Go Baby Go, how was the program created, and where is it going?
· How can body weight harnesses be used for work and home for patients with movement disorders?
· Why it so important for physical therapists to lead the charge to help society move!
This was a fun and inspiring interview that if nothing else will have you up and moving….and maybe get you to think outside of the box on ways help others to move as well.
Thank you for listening and have a great week!
Karen
As many of you know one of the biggest downsides of secondary education is the staggering amount of student loan debt. This rate of student loan debt has increased substantially over the years so many millennials are especially mired in debt before they even start their first job. I know first hand this can feel very overwhelming and quite frankly a little depressing. I asked you (the audience) what questions you had for Bridget and I am so excited to bring you all the answers in this episode.
Bridget Casey is the author and creator of the financial blog Money After Graduation. She has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and an MBA in finance. She is a passionate millennial on a mission to help others pay down their student debt and start investing the right way!
Bridget is also offering a FREE eCourse called the Debt Crusher eCourse that you can enroll in here.
In this episode Bridget and I discuss:
* When should you consolidate your student loan debt
* What is her best advice for someone graduating with close to $100,000 in debt and starting with a job that pays around $60,000-$70,000 per year.
* The difference between having a personal finance advisor vs. online companies (like Learn Vest) for meeting your financial goals.
* Should your income go to paying off your student loan debt or investing (such a common question)
* Should you start paying off your student debt while still in school
* Strategies for paying off student loan debt fast.
Thank you all for the great questions! This episode is sure to answer those questions and get you on the right path for investing and a plan for paying off those student loans!
Thanks for listening and have a great week!
Karen
Pain is an epidemic in so many countries around the world and physical therapists are uniquely qualified to be front line practitioners to help to quell this epidemic. This episode will give you more information about how you as a healthcare worker can begin to tackle pain and create a safe place for your patients to excel.
In this episode I sit down with physical therapy and Phd candidate Dr. Eric Kruger. Eric and I have known each for a few years and it was great to sit down and talk with him about his decision to go back to school for his Phd and all things pain and psychology.
In this episode you will hear:
* How his studies in applied experimental psychology changed his personal perception of pain.
* How has his coursework changed the way he would treat his patients in future.
* The importance of motivational interviewing.
* The importance of our expressions and behaviors as clinicians and how they may influence our patient's pain (positive or negative).
* How can we change the narrative around pain for our patients.
* How can we as practitioners help our patients plot a course through the uncertainty of pain.
* What is valued living for the patient. What is the difference between a value and a goal.
* How can we properly build a solid foundation to treat our patients in pain.
* The importance of collaboration with mental health practitioners in the PT world.
* Why being like Ray Donovan or Olivia Pope might not be the best way to practice PT.
Eric is so relaxed and thoughtful with his responses it makes it very easy to learn from him and stay engaged with his thought process. This was a fun interview so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Have a great week,
Karen
I get a lot of questions from physical therapists and PT students from around the country about creating and ultimately running a successful cash PT business. I thought I would use a couple of podcast episodes to answer some of those questions. In this first part of the cash PT series I discuss how to set yourself up for success in the cash PT model. In this episode you will learn:
* How to create a solid foundation for a successful business.
* What are the three P's and how can they direct your business.
* The importance of your business website.
* What questions should you or your client ask to the insurance company.
* What information needs to be on your superbill.
* How to determine your fees.
* Tips for working in a home health model.
Like I said above this is the first part in a series of podcasts about the cash PT model. Be sure to stay tuned for more practical information on running a successful cash PT business.
If you like what you are hearing then be sure to leave a good rating and a review on iTunes and share with your friends and family!
Have a great week!
Karen
Jo-Ná A. Williams, Esq. founded J.A. Williams Law P.C. – The Artist Empowerment Firm in 2011 to provide artists and entrepreneurs with ways to successfully navigate their careers and provide assistance with business, entertainment and intellectual property matters. She founded Artist Empowerment Group in 2013 to advise artists on business, branding and marketing. Some of her clients have written best-selling books, reached the Billboard Top 100, and been nominated for Grammys. She’s been featured in Marie TV, The Vocalist Magazine, Women In Music, ReverbNation, CDBaby and The New York State Bar Association’s Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal.
**Disclaimer**
"This interview is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice of any kind. Jo-Ná Williams and J.A.Williams Law, P.C. assumes no liability for use or interpretation of any information contain in this interview. This interview should not be an alternative to obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney in your state based on the specific facts of your legal matter. Jo-Na Williams is licensed to practice law in the State of New York only."
In this episode Jo-Na and I discuss the following:
The moment this interview ended I made an appointment to talk with Jo-Na about my business! I have been working with her for years and am so grateful for her help! No too many of use would walk down the street naked....don't leave your business naked and vulnerable either!
I hope you learned a lot in this podcast and if you like what you are hearing don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and tell your friends and family about it! Also please feel free to tweet me! @karenlitzyNYC and follow Jo-Na Williams, Esg for more great legal tips!
Have a great week and stay healthy wealthy & smart!
Karen
In this episode I was thrilled to interview Dr. Sharon Dunn the current president of the American Physical Therapy Association. Dr. Dunn is a breath of fresh air and she has the right attitude and leadership skills to usher in a new era for the APTA. Her great Louisiana accent just adds to her charm!
In this episode we talk about:
· Her days growing up in Louisiana and how that helped to shape her leadership skills and her decision to be a physical therapist.
· How she first got involved in the APTA and her journey to becoming president.
· Her BEST advice for those physical therapists who might be on the fence about getting involved in the APTA….hint it is super easy!
· What were her personal challenges in taking over the reigns as president of the APTA.
· What are the biggest challenges facing the profession of physical therapy
· What steps can the APTA (remember if you are a PT you are the APTA…it is not just those with leadership positions) do to help with the challenges facing our profession.
· How does Dr. Dunn change the negative connotation of a challenge to a positive (I have started using this brilliant mindset daily).
· How physical therapists are uniquely qualified to accomplish the triple aim of healthcare.
· What does Dr. Dunn have in common with Albert Einstein (aside from being crazy smart!).
On the healthy Wealthy & Smart Community Board this week is the PT Day of Service. Treating at a pro bono clinic. Working in a soup kitchen. Cleaning up a park... No matter where or how, we have the ability to positively impact change. Whether we call ourselves 'Physical Therapists' or 'Physiotherapists,' service embodies who we are, what we do, and how we act. Become a part of PT Day of Service™ as we join together to better the world! The day of service will be October 17, 2015. For more information click here.
In this episode I was thrilled to interview Mike Eisenhart, PT, managing partner of Pro-Activity Asociates in New Jersey. Mike is leading the charge in the world of physical therapy to define our value beyond rehabilitation and move towards health and wellness in the community. This is where physical therapists are uniquely qualified to lead the charge!
In this podcast we discuss:
* How physical therapy can move from a strictly "rehab brand" to a "lifestyle brand"
* How to involve your community to stay healthy and active
* What advice does Mike give to other physical therapists who want to grow a sustainable business that goes beyond rehab and truly includes the client and community
* Learn the importance of "speaking the language" of the people you are trying to reach
* Why should PTs focus on secondary prevention
* What do we as a profession need to do to shift the public's view about physical therapy
* The importance of collaboration no matter the size of your business
* Find out where Mike sees his business going in the future
* Learn more about BaseCamp 31