Doctor Day to be virtual on February 8

After careful consideration, the Doctor Day planning committee has decided to change this year’s Doctor Day to an entirely virtual event. Doctor Day 2022 is scheduled from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, February 8.

As another surge of COVID-19 expands throughout Wisconsin and our physician groups continue working through the ongoing pandemic, the committee feels that an in-person gathering would not be responsible at this time. Due to the timing of this change, Legislative visits will not be scheduled this year.

While the opportunity to gather will be missed, 2022 Doctor Day will offer a great educational program. Participants can expect an informative keynote presentation, legal updates, an engaging policy and politics legislative panel discussion and the opportunity to network with other attendees.

Those who have already registered to attend the in-person Doctor Day will still be registered for the virtual event. For additional information or to cancel a registration please email Heidi Green.

Doctor Day 2022 Agenda* (subject to changes)

10 am-10:45 am
Welcome & Keynote Address: Sheldon Wasserman, MD; Chair of the Medical Examining Board
Hear an update from Sheldon Wasserman, MD, Medical Examining Board Chair on current issues, recent changes and what is in the future for Wisconsin Physicians.

10:45 am-11:30 am
Legal Update
Attorneys Guy DuBeau and Aneet Kaur from the Axley law firm return to Doctor Day to update attendees on hot topics for physicians in the legal world.

11:30 am-12:15 pm
Policy & Politics Legislative Panel Discussion
Representatives from both the Democrats and Republicans will participate on an interactive panel discussion on timely and relevant legislative topics sharing party perspectives and solutions. 

12:15 pm-12:45 pm
End of Session Review

12:45 pm-1 pm
Closing Comments
Now that you are energized what are your next steps?

*Due to the change to a virtual meeting, legislative visits will not be scheduled this year.

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Physician advocacy is helping reshape nursing independence bill – more contacts needed

As reported in last week’s Medigram, legislation that would allow certain advanced practice nurses to practice independently has turned contentious in the State Legislature. Following a split 9-6 Assembly Health Committee vote, with Republican and Democratic committee members in both the Aye and Nay columns for passage, the bill’s eventual final status is still unclear. But due to political reasons, including challenging relationship dynamics between the State Assembly and State Senate, the possibility remains that an unattractive version of the proposal (AB 396 in the Assembly and SB 394 in the Senate) could still advance in either house.

That’s why physicians reaching out to their State Assembly Representative and State Senator is so important and timely. Elected policymakers need to hear from physicians that any bill allowed to advance further must at a minimum include amendments that a large coalition of physician groups have requested per this January 11 memo to the Assembly Health Committee. Republican and Democratic Assembly Representatives and Senators have responded positively to the amendment requests, agreeing with physician groups that the suggestions will provide necessary patient protection guardrails that are absent in current versions of the legislation. Physicians can verify the contact information for their elected officials on the State Legislature homepage – input your voting address into the “Who Are My Legislators?” box. While you can refer to this template for any potential conversation with a Senator/Representative, please remember that personalized messages are always more effective and build a stronger relationship with your legislators.

Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Advancing
In other developments in State Capitol lawmaking, legislation that would decriminalize the possession of fentanyl test strips is advancing through both houses of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Senate Bill 600 received a favorable vote from the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety earlier today (January 20), while the Assembly version of the bill, Assembly Bill 619, has been tentatively scheduled for a full State Assembly vote on January 25. Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine President and WisMed member Ritu Bhatnagar, MD, testified in support of the bills at their respective public hearings, the most recent being Senate Judiciary’s public hearing on January 13.

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

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Thanks for running for a healthier Wisconsin!

Thanks to everyone who ran for a healthier Wisconsin in 2021! Hopefully this brought everyone a little sanity as we navigated another crazy year. Your participation will allow the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation to help more communities in 2022. Six participants actually traversed the state and virtually visited all of the Foundation’s community grant sites.

Congratulations to our winners in order of miles traveled:

Alan Rock, 1st Place

Alan Rock
Kathryn Mueller
Claudia Reardon, MD
Thomas Mance, DO
Michael Pomraning
Elizabeth Ringle

The Reardon Family Team (Dr. Reardon and her dad Alan) took first place with an amazing 2,895 miles run. The alliterative Holdings Hustling Heroes were active, covering 1,868 miles.

If you missed the chance to run with the Foundation in 2021, stay tuned for the 2022 event. We all still need to stay healthy, and the needs of our community partners are even more pressing as COVID continues to impact us. Where would you like to go this year? Please let Marje know.

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Let your patients know: free COVID-19 test kits available

This week the federal government launched a simple process for the public to order four free COVID-19 test kits per household. Physicians can help their patients slow the spread of COVID-19 by reminding patients about this availability.

“Physicians need to reinforce the use of home testing, especially with patients who are symptomatic,” said David Letzer, DO, chair of the WisMed COVID-19 Task Force. “Testing can also be used post-exposure on day five.

“A positive test means that a person should follow current CDC recommendations,” Dr. Letzer said. “Isolate for five days if the patient has no symptoms or is fever-free for 24 hours and improving. Then take precautions for an additional five days by wearing a mask around others and avoiding travel.”

Tests are available through this website, which directs you to a simple online U.S. Postal Service form.

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State med board elects leadership for 2022

At its first monthly meeting for 2022 on January 19, the state of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) held its annual election to set MEB leadership for the year. The MEB unanimously elected:

Chair: Sheldon Wasserman, MD. Dr. Wasserman is also scheduled to address physicians across the state during Doctor Day 2022. Register for the free virtual February 8 event here.

Vice Chair: Clarence Chou, MD. Former Wisconsin Medical Society president Dr. Chou also served as vice chair in 2021.  

Secretary: Sumeet Goel, DO. Dr. Goel served the same role in 2021.

The MEB also received an update on the proposed chaperone rule when conducting sensitive physical exams. The economic impact comment period – extended in November 2021 due to the volume of submissions – closed earlier this month, and MEB staff are compiling the results. The MEB’s legal counsel informed the board that while the nature of the comments “weren’t hostile” to the rule, there were many concerns raised about the costs clinics and offices would face when complying with the proposal’s requirements. Because of that fiscal feedback, staff is determining next steps for the proposal, and will provide a full report at the MEB’s next monthly meeting on February 16.

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

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Payroll adjustments for 2022 retirement plan limits

With inflation comes inflation adjusted retirement plan limits, which may make it time for those participating in a 401(k) or 403(b) to adjust retirement contribution rates with their payroll department.

Employees can contribute $20,500 to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan this year, with an additional $6,500 catch up contribution for those who will be age 50 or older by year end.

The Roth IRA / backdoor Roth IRA limit remains the lesser of $6,000 or earned income. The maximum is $7,000 for those age 50 or older by year end. Remember to do the backdoor Roth IRA early in 2022 due to the potential rule change later this year.

Health savings account limits were also increased to $3,650 individual, $7,300 family, with a $1,000 catch up for those age 55 or older by year end. Additionally, tax brackets were adjusted, so it takes more income than ever to reach the higher tax brackets.

For all the important 2022 limits and tax figures as well as the popular checklist of where to save more, access the Resources Folder in 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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