ModMed vs. Athena, Shockwave Strategy, and Ingrown Toenail Packages: Profit Levers for Podiatrists

When I look back at some of the biggest “profit levers” in my practice, they usually weren’t flashy new surgeries — they were decisions around EMR billing, device investments, and how we packaged everyday care.In this episode, I answer questions from colleagues about EMRs (ModMed vs. Athena), shockwave machines, and a creative way to package ingrown toenail procedures for cash-pay patients. Each of these has the power to either leak revenue or multiply it depending on how you set things up.Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: • Why EMR percentages matter more than software features for practice owners • How to choose the right shockwave device depending on your budget and goals • A smart way to package ingrown toenail care for cash-pay patients that patients loveSEO keywords: podiatry EMR comparison, ModMed vs Athena podiatry, podiatry shockwave device, ingrown toenail cash pay package, podiatry practice management tips⸻🕑 Timestamps • 00:00 – Intro – Why these small business decisions move the needle • 01:15 – ModMed vs. Athena – How EMR billing percentages impact profitability • 05:32 – Watch out for buy-and-bill traps – Qutenza, grafts, and hidden EMR fees • 08:44 – Shockwave strategy – Radial vs. focused, and which device I’d buy first starting out • 12:55 – The education factor – Why conferences matter as much as the machine • 15:22 – Google Ads idea from a colleague – Targeting ingrown toenails with less competition • 18:05 – Packaging ingrown toenail care – Consult, procedure, follow-up, and products bundled • 21:40 – Why patients love packages – Clarity, no surprises, professional positioning • 23:10 – Wrap-up & challenge – Share what’s working in your practice