Physician wellness program launches in La Crosse County

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) is proud to announce in partnership with La Crosse County Medical Society (LCMS) the launch of the LifeBridge Physician Wellness Program. This completely confidential offering is now available to all LCMS members, providing up to six free coaching/counselling sessions per year with a psychologist. Appointments are available via telemedicine and scheduled within 72 hours.

“Knowing that physicians often defer getting help for concerns of confidentiality, we were drawn to the LifeBridge program, developed by the Wisconsin Medical Society and pioneered by Dane County Medical Society. Our Board of Directors seized on this as a chance for the LCMS to provide a confidential service to our members. It is the medical society doing something concrete and immediate for its member physicians,” said Michael White, MD, President of the La Crosse County Medical Society. LCMS is the second county medical society to partner on this member benefit; the pilot was launched with Dane County Medical Society (DCMS) in September of 2021.

The Society introduced this program for physicians who want to speak with a mental health professional for myriad reasons such as stress, financial issues, addiction, depression, etc. The Society has partnered with Lifestance Health, Inc. in Milwaukee (formerly Cornerstone Counseling Services, Inc.) and Marshfield Health Clinic Systems, Inc. for the provision of services and with county medical societies to assist with coping and healing.

Members of LCMS and DCMS can learn more and access this member benefit here. For information on how to launch Lifebridge Physician Wellness Program in your county, please contact Jim Lorence.

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WisMed responds to so-called “Medical Freedom” bills

A group of Wisconsin State Legislators released a series of bills on February 2 aimed at promoting patients’ ability to obtain ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as COVID-19 treatments. The bills, dubbed the “Medical Freedom” package, allege that these prescriptions are too difficult to obtain due to “interference” from entities like the State of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) or health care system quality committees that may discipline physicians or other health care staff for falling below generally accepted minimal standards of care.

While couched in empowering physicians and other health care professionals, the bills step heavily into basic guardrails that entities such as the MEB utilize to ensure patients can receive care that doesn’t fall below those minimal standards. The Wisconsin Medical Society released a statement emphasizing that physician-patient autonomy is important within the bounds of sound medical science.

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

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Last chance to register for Doctor Day

Don’t miss Doctor Day 2022 on Tuesday, February 8!  Register here and view the agenda for the day. This three-hour virtual advocacy day will include a legal update and a policy and politics panel discussion featuring Paul Farrow, Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman, Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman and JR Ross, WisPolitics.com, as moderator. 

There’s no cost to register thanks to our incredible sponsors. Please contact Heidi Green with any questions.

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WisMed PolicyLink simplifies policy process

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) recently launched WisMed PolicyLink, an online tool for members to submit and review health care policies. It is designed to give member physicians a more accessible and convenient way to promote high quality patient care and support physicians’ ability to practice medicine. PolicyLink allows members to share information about the proposal, why it’s needed and how the new policy’s language should read. Members can also attach background information or other materials that help justify the proposal’s merit.

Proposal Process
Once an idea is submitted into PolicyLink, other members can review the proposal and provide reaction. After that comment period, the proposal and feedback will be analyzed by a new Policy Review Committee (PRC). The PRC, comprised of Society members from around the state, makes a recommendation to the Society’s Board of Directors (BOD) on whether the proposal should be approved, rejected or amended. Members will then be able to vote on whether they think the BOD’s decision is correct.

You must be logged in through your member credentials in order to access PolicyLink. Contact us for assistance with logging in. Contact Mark Grapentine, JD with any questions or suggestions.  

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Advantages of down markets

Down markets are inevitable, and they are also advantageous. Everyone wants to buy low and sell high, right? Well, down markets are the opportunity to buy low. Many investment indexes, whether U.S. or international, were negative for January. The U.S. based Russell 3000 index was down 10% at one point during the month before a rebound in the last few days.

When markets fall, they can be a blessing for those who are saving for the future. In fact, a market crash can be one of the best things to happen. Anyone who added to their investments during the 2008-2009 crash has been well rewarded.

How does this impact those who are retired and not actively contributing to a portfolio? A down market can also be beneficial. For astute investors, it’s a prime opportunity to rebalance, selling what is high and buying what is low. Even reinvesting dividends and interest payments are a way to buy low.

For more advice from Mark Ziety, Executive Director of WisMed Financial, and other advisors, please see this recent article in MarketWatch.

Wisconsin Medical Society Members can also download the 2022 tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, investment checklist and quick decision flow charts for Social Security and more from the new WisMed Mobile app.

For personalized help eliminating debt, investing smart and securing retirement, please contact Mark Ziety, CFP®, AIF® 608.442.3750..

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

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