PPE for physicians and health care teams

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) is pleased to announce that Wisconsin health care practices can now order personal protective equipment (PPE) from a reputable and certified bulk PPE supplier through ActionPPE. The project was launched by the Charleston County Medical Society in South Carolina. The Society, along with other state medical societies are coordinating joint orders of products including KN-95 masks, disposable masks and gowns on behalf of our state physicians and their practices. The Society is looking to add other PPE supplies in the future.  

These products may be procured by any Wisconsin physician, their practices and all state health care providers.

• The products are available only to qualified medical personnel for use in their practices and are not available for resale.
• A minimum order of $500 is required; there is no maximum. 
• To maintain bulk pricing, orders will be placed once the bulk minimum is reached. The Society expects to receive the shipment within 14-17 days. 
• The product will be received in Madison, separated by order and available for pick-up. 
• All orders placed are final and there are no refunds or cancellations. 

Information on the vetted vendor, certificates of items and ordering information is available here.

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Help guide Society advocacy

Be Heard! On May 5, the Wisconsin Medical Society emailed all physicians and soon-to-be physicians asking for their input on critical issues to be addressed in the next legislative biennial. The results will guide the planning of the Society’s advocacy agenda and aid the Foundation in identifying the state’s workforce and population health concerns.

Please take the time to answer the Advocacy Priorities survey, which should only take a few minutes to complete.

This survey lists 12 issue areas and one write-in option for an issue area that is not listed. Please select only the top three priorities you think the Society should make the focus of its advocacy.

Please note, this survey will close on May 29.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Anne Hauer.

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Supreme Court considers Safer at Home

On Tuesday, the State Supreme Court heard oral arguments about whether or not the extension of the Safer at Home order issued on April 16 violated state law. At issue in the case is whether Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm violated state laws regarding emergency rules by ordering the extension of the "Safer at Home" order and whether the order exceeded the Department of Health Services’ (DHS) authority. The Court did not take up a third issue concerning whether or not DHS acted in an “arbitrary or capricious” manner. Overall, the Court appeared to express uncertainty about the Secretary’s authority to issue such a broad order.

Questions regarding the Legislature’s case against Governor Evers and DHS centered on the broad applicability of the Safer at Home order and what the Legislature would consider an appropriately tailored order. The Legislature’s attorney contended that the extension of the Safer at Home order should have been addressed through the State’s emergency rule-making process which would give the Legislature a chance to provide input on any such order. Additionally, the Legislature’s attorney argued that because the Safer at Home extension carried penalties for violating the order that the extension went beyond the bounds of a normal declaration under the law.

The bulk of the Court’s questions for DHS focused on what statutory authority is granted to the DHS Secretary when issuing orders under a public health emergency and what limits are placed on that authority. The DHS attorney cited the authority granted under the state’s communicable disease statute, which was granted to it by Legislature, including the criminal penalties carried within the order. Similarly, the Court had specific questions about the criminal penalties contained within the Safer at Home Extension and if the structure and nature of the order was too broad and exceeded the authority granted under the law. The Court also considered questions about the logistics involved if the Court invalidates the Safer at Home extension and what the impacts of such a decision could be.

The Wisconsin Medical Society will be monitoring this case and will provide updates as the Court’s decision is released.

Please contact HJ Waukau with questions.

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Physician announces candidacy

Chris Kapsner, MD, an emergency medicine specialist in Sheridan, is running as a democrat for the State Assembly’s 67^th district. Dr. Kapsner ran for the Senate in 2018 and lost to State Senator Kathy Bernier. Dr. Kapsner clearly has a passion for medicine and is hoping to be a voice for medicine in the legislature. Click here to learn more.

His opponent and incumbent Rob Summerfield has served in the Assembly since 2016. Click here to learn more.

There is the possibility of other physicians running for the state legislature in Wisconsin, but as of now, nothing official.

An important election season is upon us. Be sure to use WisMedDIRECT to make all your political contributions. You control where your contributions go, and we make it simple to contribute to local, state and federal campaigns. Although fundraising events are on hold for the moment, campaigns are still full steam ahead for the August 11 Wisconsin primary and November 3 general election. Make your voice heard today and help get your candidates elected. 

To contribute via WisMedDIRECT, please contact Heidi Green, Director of Development and Political Giving, or 608.442.3720.

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AMA COVID-19 resources

The American Medical Association (AMA) has compiled resources to help states advance their response to COVID-19. Topics addressed include telemedicine, liability protections for physicians, Medicaid, opioid use disorder, chronic pain, elective procedures and prior authorization. The page will be updated as new information becomes available.

Wisconsin has already enacted most of the state action steps, including notably, the medical professional liability protections, telemedicine and temporary licensure actions.

Please contact HJ Waukau with questions.

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Deadline extended for attestation of HHS funds

The deadline for health care professionals to attest to receipt of Provider Relief Fund payments and accept the Terms and Conditions has been extended by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The deadline has increased from 30 to 45 days of receipt of payment to attest and accept the Terms and Conditions or return the funds. Within the extension, not returning the payment within the 45-day deadline is considered acceptance of the Terms and Conditions.

For more information on the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, click here.

Please contact HJ Waukau with any questions.

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How to get ideal long-term disability for your specialty group

The simple truth is that specialty physician groups need special treatment in order be fully protected from the financial hardships a disability can cause.

Although there are many reasons why, three stand out:

1. Specialty group physicians are more vulnerable because an injury – say to a shoulder or a hand – can limit or preclude their ability to perform invasive procedures (especially for surgeons, anesthesiologists and invasive radiologists).
2. Too many Long-Term Disability (LTD) contracts do not take into account all possible specialty group income streams such as K-1 distributions.
3. Too many LTD contracts do not protect physicians based on a very specific and accurate definition of their specialty.

Finding the ideal LTD insurance for your specialty group usually begins with a conversation with an experienced insurance advisor who recognizes the unique vulnerability of your specialty.

If your group is purchasing LTD for the first time, your advisor will provide a strong proposal with an “apples-to-apples” comparison, highlighting any significant differences between policies and insurance companies.

If your group is already covered, it’s often very advantageous to work with an insurance advisor to compare your existing insurance to the latest policies available. Ideally, your advisor is proactive when it comes to informing you of the potentially positive or negative impacts that changes in the insurance industry can have on your coverage. At a bare minimum, your advisor should review your changing circumstances and explore new opportunities with you on an annual basis.

The WisMed Advantage

At WisMed Assure, our only business and our sole focus is serving health care professionals. Our team has decades of experience and a deep understanding of your concerns, aspirations and opportunities. By leveraging the shared wisdom and collective buying power of the many physicians and health care professionals we serve, WisMed Assure is able to deliver preferred service, terms and – in many cases – better pricing. 

Here are some of the important features we provide that are of particular importance to physicians:

• We protect physicians’ own specialty by using the CPT-10 codes they have billed for during the last 12 months to identify their “own occupation.” This is unusual. Many contracts have weaker language.

• Our program typically pays claims for 6 months longer to doctors over age 60. This is of value to senior physicians who are the most likely to go on claim.
• Because our sole focus is physicians, there is an unusually deep understanding of the income, such as K-1 distributions for specialty groups owned wholly or partially by the physicians in the group… income that goes away if they cannot practice.
• Our plans do not have the subjective provisions often seen in other contracts, such as working to maximum capacity, part-time work requirements or prudent person language. When these provisions are in other LTD products, it can allow a carrier to prematurely terminate a claim or reduce expected benefits. 
• We can bring you a host of riders to choose from based on your unique circumstances and needs including:
• Infectious diseases, including the COVID-19 virus.
• Progressive illnesses. Some contracts don’t pay until there is a 20% income loss in one year, whereas ours pays as soon as there is a 20% income loss from the time of diagnosis. This is unusual.
• Extended earnings for physicians coming back after an extended illness. This rider is important for those who bill and must wait for receivables.
• Pension contribution payments can also be covered.
• Additionally, we offer ancillary coverage for things like travel assistance and identity theft protection.

While price isn’t everything, in most cases, specialty groups can expect an extra 5% discount for working with us.

One more thing: WisMed Assure not only works for you directly; we serve the health care community at large as all our profits support the Wisconsin Medical Society.

If you want to discuss any of the features discussed here, or if you want your disability insurance to be an ideal fit for your group’s unique needs, situation and concerns, contact me.

Dave Serena

Group Disability Specialist
Wismed Assure
414.238.6105
dave.serena@wismedassure.org

How to get ideal long-term disability for your specialty group

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