Medigram, the Society’s electronic newsletter for physicians, features timely news, upcoming events, answers to frequently asked questions and all the information you need to know to make your practice run more efficiently. Topics include legislative updates, legal information, practice management information, government regulations, and much more. Published weekly, Medigram is delivered via email on Thursdays.

If you have a Medigram story idea or would like to offer feedback, please email us or call 866.442.3800.

Society achieves extension of IPFCF premium holiday
Wisconsin Medical Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, MBA, successfully pushed for an extension of the Injured Patients and Families Compensation (IPFCF) premium holiday through mid-2022.

Thank you to WISMedPAC/DIRECT contributors, nominations open for WISMedPAC Board
The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) thanks the many members who contributed to WISMedPAC, the Society’s political action committee, and WISMedDIRECT, the Society’s conduit, in 2020.

Student scholarship and fellowship applications due Feb. 1
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation anticipates awarding more than $150,000 in scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year.

Webinar series to help WisMed members access benefits
Join the WisMed team for a 4-part series focusing on benefits of membership in the Wisconsin Medical Society. Designed for the busy schedules of physicians, these 15-minute webinars will occur on the second Wednesday of the month, 12 - 12:15 p.m.

In memoriam: Darold Treffert, MD, 1933-2020
Society Past President Darold Treffert, MD, a psychiatrist and world-renowned expert on autism and savant syndrome, died unexpectedly Monday, December 14.

$900 billion COVID relief bill moving through Congress
The government will shut down on Saturday and unemployment benefits end December 26 for 12 million people if Congress fails to act.

The long-term care time bomb
Most people know someone whose estate was wiped out by the exorbitant cost of long-term care.

Society achieves extension of IPFCF premium holiday

Wisconsin Medical Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, MBA, successfully pushed for an extension of the Injured Patients and Families Compensation (IPFCF) premium holiday through mid-2022. This will be the second straight year that physicians, CRNAs and hospitals enrolled in the IPFCF will realize significant savings. The action was taken at the December 16 meeting of the IPFCF Board of Governors, including Dr. Chumbley.

“Because the IPFCF is run prudently and is in a stable financial position, we are fortunate the Fund can provide some fiscal relief for physicians exactly when they need it the most,” Dr. Chumbley said. “The pandemic has taken a dramatic toll on smaller clinics even as physicians have stepped up to take care of patients during this crisis, so this announcement is certainly coming at a perfect time.” The previous IPFCF holiday was announced on June 17, 2020.

Full-time physicians will save between $382 and $2,521 depending on specialty, with residents saving $229 and part-time or retired physicians saving $95. The premium holiday will be in effect from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.

Please contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for additional information.

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Thank you to WISMedPAC/DIRECT contributors, nominations open for WISMedPAC Board

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) thanks the many members who contributed to WISMedPAC, the Society’s political action committee, and WISMedDIRECT, the Society’s conduit, in 2020. Due to COVID-19, the Society’s lobbyists did not attend in-person events but did attend virtual fundraisers when possible. The Society’s advocacy team is looking forward to a much more active and personal 2021 when everyone can mingle again!

"The WISMedPAC board is grateful for everyone who made a contribution this year to keep us at the table in the political arena. It's imperative that we increase our presence when it comes to our influence here in Madison and D.C.” said John Hartman, MD, Chair WISMedPAC board.  

The Society is also accepting nominations to the WISMedPAC Board of Directors. WISMedPAC is the Society’s political action committee and its board is responsible for guiding the Society’s political efforts.

The WISMedPAC Board meets quarterly to ensure that physicians are active participants in the political process. Primary responsibilities include directing PAC contributions to those candidates and leadership committees that are seeking election in key state races, serving in leadership roles or have shown interest in health care policy. 

"As Chair of the WISMedPAC board, I enjoy working with physicians who are interested in the political process. Please consider nominating yourself, or another WisMed member, to serve a year on the board," Dr. Hartman added.

The Society’s Board of Directors will appoint between eight and 16 nominees to the 2021 WISMedPAC board for one-year terms in early 2021.

You can nominate yourself or another member of the Society. Nominations should be emailed to Heidi Green by Friday, January 8, 2021. Please contact Heidi at 608.358.6116 with any questions.

Another way to stay engaged with the Society’s advocacy efforts is to sign up for WisMed Voice to receive text notifications at key times to reach out to legislators. Sign up today by texting wismed to 52886.*

*Message and data rates may apply. Text ‘stop’ to cancel/opt out. Text ‘help’ for help.

Below are the names of physicians and other supporters who contributed via WISMedPAC or WISMedDIRECT:

  • Leslie Abitz, MD
  • Diane Anderson, MD
  • Alicia Arnold, MD
  • Kofi Asiamah, MD
  • Gregory Avey, MD
  • Zachary Baeseman, MD, MPH
  • Abigail Bales, MD
  • Thomas Bartell, MD
  • Joshua Balts, MD
  • David Bardsley, MD
  • Megan Bayrd, DO
  • Justin Benin, DO
  • Dan Bennett, MD*
  • Shawna Bertalot
  • Charles Bertel, MD
  • Michael Borkowski, MD
  • Nicole Brady, MD
  • John Brennan III, MD
  • Lisa Bright, MD
  • Calvin Bruce, MD
  • Lynn Budzak, MD
  • Bradley Burmeister, MD*
  • Andrew Campbell, MD
  • Francisco Castro, MD
  • Joel Charles, MD, MPH
  • Clarence Chou, MD
  • John Christianson, MD
  • Clyde “Bud” Chumbley, MD*
  • Michael Cinquegrani, MD, FACC, FSCAI
  • Sherry Clarke
  • Lisa Clement, MD
  • Peter Cochrane, MD, FACS
  • Robert Coe, MD
  • Anna Corey, MD, MPH
  • Richard Dart, MD
  • Donn Dexter, MD
  • Diana Dovorany, MD
  • Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD
  • Justin Endo, MD
  • David Galbis-Reig, MD, DFASAM
  • Michael Gelinas, MD
  • Jamie Goehner, MD
  • Jay Gold, MD, JD, MPH
  • Mark Grapentine, JD
  • Heidi Green
  • Erik Gundersen, MD
  • Nickolas Hanna, MD
  • John Hartman, MD*
  • Stephen Hathway, MD
  • Dennis Hartung, MD
  • Malcom Hatfield, MD
  • Theresa Hayssen, MD
  • Hermant Hedge, MD
  • Sarah Holets, DO
  • Angela Janis, MD, DFAPA
  • Hee Soo Jung, MD
  • Murray Kapell, MD
  • Christopher Kinonen, MD
  • Anthony Krausen, MD
  • Roger Kwong, MD*
  • Frederick Langheim, MD, PhD
  • Erica Larson, DO
  • Daniel Le, MD
  • Don Lee, MD
  • James Lehnman, MD, MPH
  • Bradley Lemke, MD
  • William Listwan, MD
  • Thomas Luetzow, MD
  • Aurora Lybeck, MD
  • Westley Manske, DO
  • Stephen Marquis, MD
  • Suzanne Martens, MD
  • Carol Martin, MD
  • Lisa Maurer, MD
  • Brian McSorely, MD
  • Ken Merkitch, MD
  • Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP *
  • Kevin Murtaugh, MD
  • Albert Musa, MD
  • Jennifer Myszkowski, MD
  • Kamal Nassif, MD
  • Michael O’Neill, MD
  • Robert Peck Jr., MD
  • Ken Pechman, MD
  • Eric Pifel, MD
  • Charles Rainey, MD, JD, FCLM
  • John Raymond Sr., MD
  • Thomas Reminga, MD
  • Michael Repplinger, MD, PhD
  • Christine Richards, MD
  • Corneilia Riedel, MD
  • Robert Riepenhoff, MD
  • Jason Sansone, MD
  • Ani Saryan Kopf, MD
  • Jean Schott-Wagner, MD
  • Bruce Semon, MD
  • James Shapiro, MD
  • Adam Siegel, MD
  • Thomas Slota, MD
  • Peggy Stickney, MD
  • Richard Stoltenberg, MD
  • Alan Schwartzstein, MD
  • Susan Turney, MD, MS, FACP, FACPME
  • Amanda Tembreull, MD
  • Sheila Thiel, MD
  • Kathleen, Trott, MD
  • Daniel Tvedten, MD
  • Hedy Urueta Mazzili, MD
  • Todd Waltrip, MD
  • James Watson, MD
  • Andrew Weiss, MD
  • Lori Wendricks-House, MD
  • Paul Wertsch, MD*
  • Sarah Yale, MD
  • John Ziegler, MD, MPH

*contributed to both WISMedPAC and WISMedDIRECT

Below are the names of physicians and other supporters who contributed via WISMedPAC or WISMedDIRECT:

  • Leslie Abitz, MD
  • Diane Anderson, MD
  • Alicia Arnold, MD
  • Kofi Asiamah, MD
  • Gregory Avey, MD
  • Zachary Baeseman, MD, MPH
  • Abigail Bales, MD
  • Thomas Bartell, MD
  • Joshua Balts, MD
  • David Bardsley, MD
  • Megan Bayrd, DO
  • Justin Benin, DO
  • Dan Bennett, MD*
  • Shawna Bertalot
  • Charles Bertel, MD
  • Michael Borkowski, MD
  • Nicole Brady, MD
  • John Brennan III, MD
  • Lisa Bright, MD
  • Calvin Bruce, MD
  • Lynn Budzak, MD
  • Bradley Burmeister, MD*
  • Andrew Campbell, MD
  • Francisco Castro, MD
  • Joel Charles, MD, MPH
  • Clarence Chou, MD
  • John Christianson, MD
  • Clyde “Bud” Chumbley, MD*
  • Michael Cinquegrani, MD, FACC, FSCAI
  • Sherry Clarke
  • Lisa Clement, MD
  • Peter Cochrane, MD, FACS
  • Robert Coe, MD
  • Anna Corey, MD, MPH
  • Richard Dart, MD
  • Donn Dexter, MD
  • Diana Dovorany, MD
  • Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD
  • Justin Endo, MD
  • David Galbis-Reig, MD, DFASAM
  • Michael Gelinas, MD
  • Jamie Goehner, MD
  • Jay Gold, MD, JD, MPH
  • Mark Grapentine, JD
  • Heidi Green
  • Erik Gundersen, MD
  • Nickolas Hanna, MD
  • John Hartman, MD*
  • Stephen Hathway, MD
  • Dennis Hartung, MD
  • Malcom Hatfield, MD
  • Theresa Hayssen, MD
  • Hermant Hedge, MD
  • Sarah Holets, DO
  • Angela Janis, MD, DFAPA
  • Hee Soo Jung, MD
  • Murray Kapell, MD
  • Christopher Kinonen, MD
  • Anthony Krausen, MD
  • Roger Kwong, MD*
  • Frederick Langheim, MD, PhD
  • Erica Larson, DO
  • Daniel Le, MD
  • Don Lee, MD
  • James Lehnman, MD, MPH
  • Bradley Lemke, MD
  • William Listwan, MD
  • Thomas Luetzow, MD
  • Aurora Lybeck, MD
  • Westley Manske, DO
  • Stephen Marquis, MD
  • Suzanne Martens, MD
  • Carol Martin, MD
  • Lisa Maurer, MD
  • Brian McSorely, MD
  • Ken Merkitch, MD
  • Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP *
  • Kevin Murtaugh, MD
  • Albert Musa, MD
  • Jennifer Myszkowski, MD
  • Kamal Nassif, MD
  • Michael O’Neill, MD
  • Robert Peck Jr., MD
  • Ken Pechman, MD
  • Eric Pifel, MD
  • Charles Rainey, MD, JD, FCLM
  • John Raymond Sr., MD
  • Thomas Reminga, MD
  • Michael Repplinger, MD, PhD
  • Christine Richards, MD
  • Corneilia Riedel, MD
  • Robert Riepenhoff, MD
  • Jason Sansone, MD
  • Ani Saryan Kopf, MD
  • Jean Schott-Wagner, MD
  • Bruce Semon, MD
  • James Shapiro, MD
  • Adam Siegel, MD
  • Thomas Slota, MD
  • Peggy Stickney, MD
  • Richard Stoltenberg, MD
  • Alan Schwartzstein, MD
  • Susan Turney, MD, MS, FACP, FACPME
  • Amanda Tembreull, MD
  • Sheila Thiel, MD
  • Kathleen, Trott, MD
  • Daniel Tvedten, MD
  • Hedy Urueta Mazzili, MD
  • Todd Waltrip, MD
  • James Watson, MD
  • Andrew Weiss, MD
  • Lori Wendricks-House, MD
  • Paul Wertsch, MD*
  • Sarah Yale, MD
  • John Ziegler, MD, MPH

*contributed to both WISMedPAC and WISMedDIRECT

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Student scholarship and fellowship applications due Feb. 1

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation anticipates awarding more than $150,000 in scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year. In addition, up to 10 summer fellowship learning opportunities may be available. Medical students are encouraged to check out these opportunities on our website and submit their application by February 1, 2021.

Scholarships
Several scholarships with specific eligibility requirements are available through the Foundation including the following:

  • Victor A. Baylon, MD, Scholarship
  • Robert Jason Gore Scholarship
  • Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD, Scholarship
  • Marathon County Medical Society Scholarship
  • John D. and Virginia Riesch Scholarship
  • Future Superhero of Medicine Scholarship for Underrepresented Minorities
  • Rukmini and Joyce Vasudevan Scholarship
  • Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker Scholarship Fund
  • Presidential Scholar Award

 
More information on each scholarship and the application form is available here.

The Foundation’s Scholarship Committee takes great care and pride in selecting the best applicant for each scholarship offered and gives preference to students who are from Wisconsin and attending medical school here. Students currently in their first, second or third year of medical school are encouraged to apply.

Summer Fellowships
The Foundation’s Summer Fellowship program supports important physician-directed research or health education in critical public health areas, while also providing medical students with learning opportunities. Medical students, including those who also are pursuing a Master of Public Health degree, may apply. You can learn more on the Foundation website or click here to apply.

Email Elizabeth Ringle or call her at 608.442.3789 with any questions. 

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Webinar series to help WisMed members access benefits

Join the WisMed team for a 4-part series focusing on benefits of membership in the Wisconsin Medical Society. Designed for the busy schedules of physicians, these 15-minute webinars will occur on the second Wednesday of the month, 12 - 12:15 p.m. Topics and dates are listed below, along with the registration link. Whether you're a brand-new member or have been involved for years, you can learn more about the latest member benefits designed specifically for you!

You’re a member! Now what? 
January 13 – Exploring benefits available through WisMed Assure
February 10 – Become an active advocate
March 10 – Take hold of your financial future
April 14 – Member benefits 101

Register once to be signed up for all four. Contact Jess Bourin-Schreiter with any questions.

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In memoriam: Darold Treffert, MD, 1933-2020

Society Past President Darold Treffert, MD, a psychiatrist and world-renowned expert on autism and savant syndrome, died unexpectedly Monday, December 14. Dr. Treffert studied autism, hyperlexia and savant syndrome for more than 50 years, serving as a consultant for “Rain Man,” and appearing on CNN, Today, Dateline, 60 Minutes and The Discovery Channel. He has written two awarding-winning books on savant syndrome that have been published in 12 languages and shared his expertise in over 50 national and international publications. 

In the fall of 2016 and in conjunction with Agnesian Healthcare, Dr. Treffert, opened the Treffert Center in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. This school serves as a place for individuals, families and communities worldwide to explore the potential of the human mind, focusing on strengths rather than limitations, and to provide the opportunity for further research on these conditions. Within the Treffert Center is a library housing many of Dr. Treffert’s unique collection of books on savant syndrome, as well as savant artwork including paintings, drawings and sculptures from around the world.

Dr. Treffert’s family is planning a private funeral with memorial services at a future date. For more information about his work and the Treffert Center, please visit the Treffert Center website.

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$900 billion COVID relief bill moving through Congress

The government will shut down on Saturday and unemployment benefits end December 26 for 12 million people if Congress fails to act. However, a deal may be more imminent this time than previous attempts. While not yet finalized, experts have some ideas of what the bill might include or not.

Here is what is likely included. First, stimulus checks of $600 per person. Unemployment benefits, the moratorium on evictions and student loan forbearance would all be extended. It could also include funding for vaccine distribution, education, transportation and health care. Additionally, $300 billion would replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small business loans.

Expected to be excluded from the bill are funds for state and local governments, supported by Democrats and a liability shield for businesses, supported by Republicans.

Please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750 with any questions.

WisMed Financial

Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF®
WisMed Financial, Inc. part of the Wisconsin Medical Society

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The long-term care time bomb

By Tom Strangstalien, Insurance Advisor with WisMed Assure

Most people know someone whose estate was wiped out by the exorbitant cost of long-term care. Unfortunately, if a family’s long-term care plan is to do nothing to address the potential need for care, they may find themselves in crisis. When developing financial goals and plans, don’t overlook this piece of the puzzle; it can potentially devastate a life of hard work. There are several innovative solutions to protect your finances.

According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, 69% of people turning age 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime. This includes nursing home care, assisted living, home health care or a combination of those. In Wisconsin, as illustrated by the Administration for Community Living, the cost of semi-private care in a nursing home is $8,334 per month and private care is $9,346 per month. That is potentially $100,000 per year!

The average length of stay for men in a facility is 2.2 years, while women average 3.7 years. Twenty percent of individuals age 65 or older stay longer than five years. At the least, this can severely erode a family’s estate and, at worst, it can completely blow it up.

Times have changed... for the better!
In the past, the only solutions to protect one’s estate from this life event was to self–insure, purchase long-term care (LTC) insurance protection, or to roll the dice and gamble. It can be very intelligent to purchase long-term care insurance, particularly when younger, to bomb-proof future financial well-being. The argument contrary to this type of planning has always been that one could end up spending the premium dollars over one's lifetime and never need the policy protection (use it or lose it). Today, there are several additional options available, negating the risk of spending substantial dollars and never using them.

Exponentially gaining in popularity are “Hybrid LTC Policies”; combining the benefits of a life insurance policy and long-term care protection. Simply stated, some or all of the life insurance benefit can be paid out for qualifying long-term care costs. If the policy is not used, generally speaking, the life insurance value is paid out as a tax-free benefit to the beneficiaries upon death. Regardless, this planning offers protection to the estate, and keeps the dollars in the estate in a tax efficient manner.

An alternative to the traditional long-term care insurance policy is “Asset-Based LTC.” This planning involves setting dollars aside in an annuity contract. The contract provides two “buckets” of money; one on deposit accumulating growth, and the other providing protection for long-term care. Only one bucket of money can be used. Should one desire or need to use the assets for income, the funds will be available per the structure of the contract. However, if a form of long-term care is needed, that bucket will provide a respectfully larger pool of funds that can be tapped. For money set aside as the “last” money to be used in life, this can offer an attractive way to leverage one's assets.

Another strategy is purchasing a fixed or indexed annuity contract with an optional LTC rider. Thanks to the media, annuities have been incurring a bad reputation. However, many of the cases involving annuities are simply a case of someone using the wrong tool in the proverbial tool box. Each financial tool has its purpose and its place. By using an annuity with an LTC rider to provide a stream of income, the policyholder will receive consistent guaranteed payments over a period of time. Should they qualify for long-term care, these payments will be increased; many times doubled to cover the increased costs to the family budget. In addition, this type of planning involves minimal medical underwriting.

In my opinion as an advisor with many years of experience, your long-term care plan should never be not to plan. Even if you do nothing and roll the dice, you have the comfort that you did indeed explore the options available to address the risk. As your Financial Partner for Life, WisMed Assure is here to help you navigate through all of the protection options available to you. The WisMed Assure team here to help you make the very best choices to bomb-proof your financial shelter. You will sleep at night knowing you have a fortified plan, and will not fall victim to “crisis management”.

Contact Tom Strangstalien, insurance advisor for WisMed Assure, the Wisconsin Medical Society’s insurance agency, at 608.442.3730 or tom.strangstalien@wismedassure.org.

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