COVID-19 policy updates

On Monday, Governor Evers released the “Badger Bounce Back” plan detailing benchmarks for when the state can begin to relax the provisions of the Safer at Home order and reopen the economy. The Bounce Back plan includes Gating Criteria similar to those put forth by the Trump Administration and calls for increased testing (85,000 tests per week), contact tracing (hiring up to 1,000 people) and tracking of COVID-19 cases. The Gating Criteria require a downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses, COVID-19-like cases and positive tests reported within a 14-day period. The plan also requests that the state acquire significantly more personal protective equipment and assure there is sufficient health system capacity.

Further, the plan creates three phases to reopening the economy. Phase one would allow gatherings of 10 people and ease social distancing guidelines on essential businesses while allowing schools to reopen. Phase two would allow gatherings of 50 people and restaurants could resume full operation with bars reopening with social distancing requirements. Non-essential businesses and post-secondary schools would also be able to reopen. Phase three would allow the resumption of normal business activities with minimum social distancing requirements.

However, on Tuesday the Legislature brought a case to the state Supreme Court asking the Court to temporarily enjoin the extension of the Governor’s Safer at Home order. In addition, the case asks the Court to issue a stay of six days to allow the Department of Health Services (DHS) time to promulgate new rules consistent with state law. The Court has since ordered DHS to respond to the filing by next Tuesday.

In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approved the state’s 1135 emergency Medicaid wavier. The waiver was a component of Wisconsin’s bipartisan COVID-19 response bill that passed last week and was supported by the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society).

On the federal front, the Senate passed a $484 billion interim funding package on Tuesday. The bulk of the funds are intended to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses after it ran out of funds last week. It also includes $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for COVID-19 testing with $11 billion of the testing funds to be reserved for states, localities, territories and tribes. The House is expected to pass the bill on Thursday. A potential “Phase 4” COVID-19 package is still in the works.

The Society will continue to monitor these situations as they develop. Please contact HJ Waukau with any questions.

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Updated testing recommendations, supplies and treatments

Effective April 16, 2020, the Department of Health Services released updated testing recommendations. Health care providers should test all patients with acute respiratory illness, even patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19 and should prioritize patients based on CDC guidelines with hospitalized patients and health care facility workers with symptoms as the highest priority.

In order to facilitate testing, Wisconsin health care professionals can now request COVID-19 testing supplies. The state is making supplies available at no charge to clinicians, local and tribal health centers, clinical laboratories and others to help test all patients who have influenza-like illness symptoms.

Additional information can be found here and available supplies include:

• TM/Swab
• VTM/Swab Only
• VTM/Swab/Diagnostic Testing

Furthermore, the National Institute of Health announced coronavirus treatment guidelines to inform clinician care of patients with COVID-19. These guidelines will be updated as published data and other reliable information becomes available.

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Foundation seeks feedback – mission and vision in the time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the way we all do our work. In listening to Wisconsin Medical Society members, it seems clear that one of the most important things we can do for the health of Wisconsin right now is to help support our health care professionals and students, which is why the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) is seeking feedback on how to best help physicians and medical students during the pandemic.

The Foundation cancelled the annual fundraising event this year, although the silent auction and appeal will be held online later in May. Please help direct the Foundation’s mission of a healthier Wisconsin and a strong physician workforce by sharing your insights to prioritize needs.

• What are the biggest issues you are facing and how could we help?
• Are you worried about your practice and your staff?
• Do you worry that you won’t get that first job after residency or be able to finish medical school due to financial strain?
• We have also heard that many of you are worried about your communities. Would you rather we focused on meeting basic needs across the state?
• Would PPE be helpful for you and your team?

To support the Foundation before the silent auction is launched, please visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-6045649 to direct Amazon Smile donations to the Foundation.

Please reach out to Marje Murray at marje.murray@wismed.org or 608.886.4276 with any suggestions or input you might have.

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CMS issues recommendations on “non-essential” procedures

On Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued recommendations for when it would be okay to start performing “non-essential” procedures and services during the pandemic. The recommendations align with the Trump Administration’s guidance on reopening the economy.

Under the CMS recommendations physicians, clinics and hospitals can consider performing non-COVID services that were temporarily suspended  - provided there is adequate capacity, testing, workforce and supplies, such as PPE. Additionally, decisions to resume non-COVID services should be made based on local conditions with a preference to surgical/procedural care, complex chronic conditions and preventive services that may be necessary. Further, proper considerations should be given to appropriate sterilization procedures and the impacts such procedures may have for the broader COVID-19 response and resources.

Please contact HJ Waukau with any questions.

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COVID-19 insurance premium relief

To assist physicians adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ProAssurance, our endorsed carrier for medical professional liability insurance, is offering a premium credit to adjust for reduced medical liability exposure for those who have suspended elective procedures or are seeing fewer patients. Visit www.proassurance.com/covid-19 for details.

The Wisconsin Medical Society's insurance agency, WisMed Assure, is actively advocating for relief premium options with multiple insurance carriers. Often certain criteria must be met and exclusions may apply. The WisMed Assure team is happy to help you navigate any questions. Email your agent today to see if you qualify for the credits. Visit their resource page for other COVID-19 insurance updates.

If you are unsure of your agent’s contact information, please call 608.442.3810 or email insurance@wismedassure.org.

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