current Pedor thics T he Offic i a l P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e P e d ort hi c Foot care A ssoci at i on Casting Confusion? What to Know Before the Dye is Cast PAGE 16 CAD/CAM OR HEINZ 57 CASTING? PAGE 20 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS: INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW PAGE 22 Vol. 44, Issue 2 | March/April 2012 | www.pedorthics.org Specify the #1 Spring Plate Strong Like Steel Stock #2003 Riecken’s carbon-fiber spring plates store energy at toe off and return it into the swing phase of gait for a more natural walk. These plates are designed to fit depth-style footwear and are contoured to fit at the heel and toe. Additionally, Riecken’s spring plate can be used for turf toe. Eca talo g ECa Available in thirteen sizes: ladies 5-10 and mens 7-13. Download the Riecken’s Ecatalog of PQ® orthotics at www.FootComfortWorld.net Foo t-C insoles | pads | lifts | wedges | lab supplies are So luti ons Ins ole s Pa ds Lift sWe He dg el C es u Sp ring p Pla Da te nce rP Se ads par ato Lab rs Sup plie s So ld O n ly B y Pro fes sio nals Call (800) 331-8040, ext 100, to get started with the Riecken’s line of PQ Gel Foot-Care Solutions. ® Riecken’s Orthotic Laboratories (812)476-8006 • ricknorlab@aol.com 5115 Oak Grove Road, Evansville, IN 47715 Riecken’s PQ Gel Foot-Care Solutions are also available from Cascade, PEL, P.W. Minor, Verne Bintz and Warwick Enterprises. talo g 1-1 0 ORTHAHEEL CONTROLS ROLLING OVER OF THE FEET (OVER PRONATION). PO TRIST DESIG DIA D NE AFTER USTRALIA 9 BEFORE A IN 197 BOR N NATURAL RELIEF ©2011 Shoe, Inc.Inc. ©2012New NewBalance BalanceAthletic Athletic Shoes, THE 1540 A refreshing new take on the 1123, the New Balance 1540 provides maximum comfort for the runner seeking the highest level of optimal control. New Balance calls a shoe “Made in the USA” only if the domestic content is at 70% or more. current Pedor thics March/April 2012 Volume 44, Issue 2 Features 10 | Overview of Casting Techniques By Kim Nicoll, BSc (Kin), C. Ped Tech (C)., C. Ped (C) As pedorthists, we know that a cast’s quality determines how successful the foot orthosis will be in alleviating the client’s symptoms. 16 | Casting Confusion? What to Know Before the Dye is Cast By Séamus Kennedy, C.Ped. One of the most frequent questions that I am asked during an in-service on foot orthotics is, “What kind of cast do you prefer?” I have given presentations to many different groups: pedorthists, orthotists and prosthetists, podiatrists, and physical therapists, and yet this same question always comes up. 24 | Pedorthic Association of Canada’s Position Statement on Casting Techniques for Custom Foot Orthoses Custom Foot Orthoses (CFOs) are an essential element used by pedorthists to relieve foot pain related to biomechanical misalignment of the feet and lower limbs. 26 | Excitement Exceeds Evidence! Ready-Made vs. Custom Rockers By Dean Mason, C.Ped., OST, BOCO, CO, BOC Pedorthist In addition to the traditional fee for service plans that we are all familiar with, Medicare offers what are known as Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, otherwise known as Medicare HMOs. Reported By Shane Hayes, C.Ped. Cinderella bursts through your door, happy as a lark because her pain went away shortly after she purchased magic, glass “rocker” slippers from your facility. 22 | Medicare Advantage Plans: Information That You Need To Know Provided by Pedorthic Association of Canada 34 | HHS Announces Intent to Delay ICD-10 Compliance Date  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on February 17, 2011 that it will initiate a process to postpone the date by which certain health care entities have to comply with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10). Departments 6 From the President 8 From the Executive Director 32 Industry News Cover Photo by Quayside Graphics 34  Reimbursement & Coding News 38 Pedorthic Education 40 Marketplace 41 Products & Services 44  Advertiser Index Current Pedorthics March|April 2012 3 current Pedorthics Executive Committee Corporate Sponsors PFA offers its thanks to these corporate sponsors whose support allows PFA to serve members and the greater pedorthic community. Platinum Sponsors PRESIDENT Kristi Hayes, C.Ped. VICE PRESIDENT Liz Chiles, C.Ped. TREASURER Jamie Dick, C.Ped., PT SECRETARY Jay Zaffater, C.Ped., BOC Pedorthist DIRECTORS Matt D. Almeida, C.Ped.; Christopher J. Costantini, C.Ped.; Tamara A. Daulton, C.Ped.; Jeremy A. Long, C.Ped.; Dean Mason, C.Ped., OST, BOCO, CO; Patricia A. Pande, C.Ped.; Stuart L. Pressman, C.Ped., CO; Rob Sobel, C.Ped.; and Michael D. Veder, C.Ped., CO, BOCO VENDOR/MANUFACTURER LIAISON Andrew B. Simonds MEDICAL ADVISOR James B. McGuire, DPM, C.Ped., PT Editorial Staff VOLUNTEER EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kristi Hayes, C.Ped. EDITOR Ali Sturman ART DIRECTOR Teresa Gutsick DESIGN/PRODUCTION Derek Heilmann; Susannah Letouze PRINTER Balmar Inc. Advertising & Sales Staff CURRENT PEDORTHICS Brian K. Lagana Sliver Sponsor MEMBERSHIP Brian K. Lagana Headquarters Staff EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brian K. Lagana MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Brian K. Lagana EDUCATION COORDINATOR Brian K. Lagana MEETINGS AND CONVENTIONS MANAGER Annette Suriani, CMP; Rebecca Fazarri, CMP SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING FULFILLMENT Brian K. Lagana GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR William H. Applegate, Bryan Cave, LLC LEGAL COUNSEL Allan J. Weiner, Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP Marketing, Communications & Editorial Committee CHAIR Kristi Hayes, C.Ped. CO-CHAIR Rob Sobel, C.Ped. MEMBERS Faith Ballard, C.Ped., CO; Liz Chiles, C.Ped.; Tamara A. Daulton, C.Ped.; Jamie Dick, C.Ped., PT; Dean Mason, C.Ped., OST, BOCO, CO; Patricia A. Pande, C.Ped.; Stuart Pressman, C.Ped., CO; Jay Zafatter, C.Ped., BOC Pedorthist Current Pedorthics (ISSN 1552-8111) is published bimonthly by the Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA), 8400 Westpark Dr., 2nd Floor, McLean, VA 22102. Telephone: (703) 610-9035 or (800) 673-8447, Fax: (703) 995-4456, Website: www.pedorthics.org, Email: info@pedorthics.org. Copyright© 2012, PFA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission. Letters to the Editor and other unsolicited material are assumed intended for publication and are subject to editing. Articles in Current Pedorthics do not necessarily reflect the opinion of PFA, its board of directors or its employees. Authors are responsible for the validity of their content and credentials. Current Pedorthics’ use of trademarked names is done in an editorial fashion intended to benefit the trademark owner, with no intention of trademark infringement. The annual subscription fee is included in PFA members’ dues. Subscriptions are available for $65 per year in the United States ($95 outside U.S.). Back copies, if available, may be purchased for $10 U.S. If you have any questions regarding display advertising or classified ads, please contact Ryan Abell at (202) 367-2332 or email CPAdvertising@pedorthics.org. Please send all product- and industry-related press releases to Editorial@pedorthics.org. 4 Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org Bronze Sponsors