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.

Legislature’s Budget Committee approves WisMed-supported Medicaid increase for emergency docs
As part of wide-ranging action taken Tuesday evening, the State Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee approved a significant increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for emergency physicians starting in 2022. Addressing worst-in-the-nation Medicaid reimbursement levels, the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) allocated more than $6.6 million over the next two years to raise base reimbursement rates by 15 percent.

Foundation auction now live!
Check out the great items in the Foundation Mini Auction in conjunction with the Taste of the Foundation Series and bid now! The beginning of summer is a great time for a new bike, some rounds of golf, new lawn care equipment or lawn art to make your time outside more enjoyable.

Medical Examining Board to weigh in on Cosmetology Board proposal
At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, the state of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) began discussion on another professional board’s potential rule change that would include microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and microblading under the practice of aesthetics. The state’s Board of Cosmetology requested the MEB’s opinion on the potential rule which would remove microdermabrasion from its list of delegated medical procedures, meaning a licensed cosmetologist or aesthetician would no longer need physician supervision to perform that procedure under certain circumstances.

Free MEB-approved opioid CME for Milwaukee County physicians
Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) members practicing in Milwaukee County are eligible for free registration for the highly rated on-demand webinar, Alternatives to Opioids in Treating Acute and Chronic Pain. This limited number of free registrations are available through a collaboration with Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the Society.

Show your WisMed pride during virtual meetings
The Wisconsin Medical Society is excited to announce that a free digital background is now available for members to use during virtual meetings.

Free loss prevention webinar for WisMed members
Wisconsin Medical Society members are invited to a complimentary one-hour loss prevention webinar on June 30 at 7 a.m. presented by Laurette Salzman, Senior Risk Resource Advisor for ProAssurance.

Legislature’s Budget Committee approves WisMed-supported Medicaid increase for emergency docs

As part of wide-ranging action taken Tuesday evening, the State Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee approved a significant increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for emergency physicians starting in 2022. Addressing worst-in-the-nation Medicaid reimbursement levels, the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) allocated more than $6.6 million over the next two years to raise base reimbursement rates by 15 percent. The issue was one of the Wisconsin Medical Society’s (WisMed) budget priorities for this budget cycle, and was highlighted as such at Doctor Day 2021 in May.

The JCF’s 60-item motion covered programs in various state agencies, and also included positive increases in other WisMed-supported areas such as an increase for opioid treatment providers, bolstering the Wisconsin Healthcare Stability Plan to help lower-income citizens access affordable health coverage, obtaining a grant to support surgical quality improvement activities and supporting the Reach Out and Read Wisconsin program. The omnibus motion passed on an 11-4 vote, with majority Republicans in support.

One item not receiving as much improvement as had been hoped: increasing Medicaid post-partum coverage for new mothers. Although WisMed and other health care advocates pushed for an extension of coverage from the current 60 days post-partum to a full year, JCF approved just a 30-day addition to current coverage.

The JCF is nearing completion of its work modifying Governor Tony Evers’s 2021-23 biennial budget proposal, with final committee action scheduled for later today. The bill will then need to be approved by both houses of the state Legislature before advancing to Gov. Evers’ desk for approval or veto. The next state budget biennium starts on July 1, 2021.

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

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Foundation auction now live!

A Taste of the Foundation

Check out the great items in the Foundation Mini Auction in conjunction with the Taste of the Foundation Series and bid now! The beginning of summer is a great time for a new bike, some rounds of golf, new lawn care equipment or lawn art to make your time outside more enjoyable. Or treat yourself to a two-night stay (plus wine tasting) at the Chehalem House located in the Corral Creek Vineyard in Newberg, Oregon.   

Bike - Foundation Auction June 2021Lawn Care Equipment - Foundation Auction June 2021

The auction ends at noon on Friday, June 25 so check it out soon. And sign up for the remaining Tasting event with special guest Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH, chief medical officer and state epidemiologist for community health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Proceeds support the mission of the Foundation which is to advance the health of the people of Wisconsin by supporting medical education and health care initiatives.

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Medical Examining Board to weigh in on Cosmetology Board proposal

At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, the state of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) began discussion on another professional board’s potential rule change that would include microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and microblading under the practice of aesthetics. The state’s Board of Cosmetology requested the MEB’s opinion on the potential rule which would remove microdermabrasion from its list of delegated medical procedures, meaning a licensed cosmetologist or aesthetician would no longer need physician supervision to perform that procedure under certain circumstances.

While some physician members of the MEB expressed potential concerns about the proposed scope changes, none of those physicians practice dermatology or plastic surgery. The MEB asked the Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) to help gather expertise from those specialties to better inform the MEB’s feedback to the cosmetology board, including finding representatives to present in person at the MEB’s July 21 meeting. The Society is working with MEB members to help gather the latest information about the three procedures.

Chaperone Requirement Still Under Discussion

A subgroup of the MEB continues to discuss potential administrative code language that would require physicians to have a chaperone when performing breast, genital or rectal examinations (see this Medigram story for more background, including the language currently being discussed). It appears that the subgroup will provide some recommendations for full MEB discussion at the July 21 meeting, after which the MEB will decide whether to continue the rulemaking process on the chaperone issue. If that process is triggered, a public hearing on the proposal will be scheduled – most likely later this summer.

Contact Society Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.  

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Free MEB-approved opioid CME for Milwaukee County physicians

Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) members practicing in Milwaukee County are eligible for free registration for the highly rated on-demand webinar, Alternatives to Opioids in Treating Acute and Chronic Pain. This limited number of free registrations are available through a collaboration with Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the Society.

Presented by Michael McNett, MD, this course meets the MEB’s two-hour continuing medical education opioid prescribing requirement for licensure and is also approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and Maintenance of Certification Part II points for certain specialties.

To register, contact the Society’s Education Department at education@wismed.org. This free opportunity expires June 30, 2021 – register today!

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Show your WisMed pride during virtual meetings

Virtual Meeting Background
 

The Wisconsin Medical Society is excited to announce that a free digital background is now available for members to use during virtual meetings. Download the background now and use it during your next virtual meeting to show your Wisconsin Medical Society pride.

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Free loss prevention webinar for WisMed members

Wisconsin Medical Society members are invited to a complimentary one-hour loss prevention webinar on June 30 at 7 a.m. presented by Laurette Salzman, Senior Risk Resource Advisor for ProAssurance.

Subject: Violence in the Office Practice Setting – Preparation and Response
Date: Wednesday, June 30
Time: 7:00 a.m. CT
Location: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

The webinar will focus on the rise in widespread violence against physicians and other health care professionals. Intense focus on the current COVID-19 crisis may derail response efforts to prevent or mitigate an active shooter incident. This seminar will share real stories and provide practical strategies to potentially prevent and mitigate risks if an assault occurs.

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