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.

Chaperone rule economic impact period open through June
The State of Wisconsin’s Medical Examining Board (MEB) has opened another Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) period for physicians to weigh in on the potential costs of a proposed administrative rule designed to promote the use of chaperones when performing genital, breast and rectal exams (or when those areas might be exposed during other procedures).

It’s White Coat Campaign time again!
Help the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) warmly welcome the incoming class of medical students to the profession of medicine by participating in the White Coat Campaign. With a gift of $100, you provide a white coat and personal message of welcome and encouragement to a first-year medical student attending school in Wisconsin.

District 3 celebrates GO PAC GO win
The Wisconsin Medical Society's (WisMed) Government Relations team traveled to Eau Claire on Tuesday for the Tri County Medical Society's meeting and celebration! The District 3 "Mighty Docs" won the 2021 GO PAC GO competition and raised the most money for the Wisconsin Medical Society's political action committee (PAC).

Nearly $400,000 increase on $1.5 million portfolio
Strategic changes can significantly increase your retirement portfolio. A WisMed Financial client added almost $400,000 to their $1.5 million portfolio without changing investments. They used tax planning.

Chaperone rule economic impact period open through June

Advocacy Alert

The State of Wisconsin’s Medical Examining Board (MEB) has opened another Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) period for physicians to weigh in on the potential costs of a proposed administrative rule designed to promote the use of chaperones when performing genital, breast and rectal exams (or when those areas might be exposed during other procedures). The call for comments, including the language of the updated rule and the contact information for submitting comments, can be found here. The deadline to submit comments is June 13, 2022.

The EIA period is a required step whenever a state entity proposes an administrative rule – the assessment allows the body proposing the rule to better understand the fiscal ramifications of their proposal. Usually a cursory step, the initial EIA period for a previous version of the chaperone rule resulted in a finding that the state’s health care entities would face approximately $15 million in new costs the first year in order to properly comply with the rule. State law requires any administrative rule costing more than $10 million over two years to take a different approval path, involving legislative review and oversight. Seeking to avoid this fate, the MEB amended the proposal to its current form.

Under the updated rule language (see this April 21 Medigram story on the MEB’s work to amend the original version), the MEB is allowed to “make a rebuttable presumption in favor of any facts alleged in a complaint made under” an administrative code section related to sexual gratification unprofessional conduct. In order to avoid that presumption of guilt if a complaint is filed under this code section, physicians can show that a chaperone was used during the exam.

If the patient refuses a chaperone, the rule requires the patient to sign an informed consent document, and the medical record must detail how the patient was “adequately counseled” on the chaperone option and document the details of the counseling, decision, consent document, and detailed reasons.” If the patient refuses to sign an informed consent document after waiving the offer of a chaperone, the physician “may refuse to perform the examination. Physicians must document the details of the counseling, decision, and detailed reasons in the patient’s medical record.”

The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) and other health care entities have raised concerns regarding the MEB’s intention to alter the usual presumption of innocence when a complaint is filed to a presumption of guilt, including that such a change may violate current state law. Concerns have also been raised about the cost of complying with the rule to avoid this new assumption of guilt, and how the new requirements could negatively impact already-stressed physician-patient interactions.

Once the current EIA period has expired, the Board will review comments and assess the potential costs. It will then decide whether to continue moving forward with the rule – if so, eventually a public hearing will be scheduled where physicians can share their opinions with the full MEB about the proposal.

Physicians using the WisMed Mobile App received an alert May 10 about the EIA period. Click here for information on how you can tap into this exclusive member benefit. Contact WisMed Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.

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It’s White Coat Campaign time again!

2022 White Coat Campaign students in coats

Help the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation (Foundation) warmly welcome the incoming class of medical students to the profession of medicine by participating in the White Coat Campaign. With a gift of $100, you provide a white coat and personal message of welcome and encouragement to a first-year medical student attending school in Wisconsin. Please help ensure that every student receives their first White Coat.

Wonderful connections between young students and practicing or retired physicians have been made through the Foundation’s White Coat Campaign. There is something extremely special about the moment a student is handed their first coat along with a heartfelt note of welcome. It’s a small act with a big and lasting impact.

The white coat investiture ceremonies will be held later this summer, so please respond today. We need your help to make sure that every first-year medical student in Wisconsin receives a coat and note of welcome. To participate, donate online or email foundation@wismed.org.

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District 3 celebrates GO PAC GO win

Dexter with trophy

The Wisconsin Medical Society's (WisMed) Government Relations team traveled to Eau Claire on Tuesday for the Tri County Medical Society's meeting and celebration! The District 3 "Mighty Docs" won the 2021 GO PAC GO competition and raised the most money for the Wisconsin Medical Society's political action committee (PAC).

It was a great night of comradery and celebration. Heidi Green presented the first-place trophy to Donn Dexter, MD, who led the Mighty Docs to victory. She also spoke about the importance of WisMed's political giving program.

Mark Grapentine gave a legislative and political update to the winning group. He updated attendees on the state legislature’s completed 2021-22 biennium, highlighting Governor Tony Evers’s veto of the independent nursing bill and WisMed’s efforts on COVID-19-related legislation throughout the biennium. He also spotlighted important state and federal election races and emphasized how physicians have the opportunity to support candidates who appreciate physicians’ role in making Wisconsin a national health care quality leader.

Jim Lorence updated the Tri County members on services being offered via WisMed, primarily focusing on physician wellness. Jim shared information on the LifeBridge Physician Wellness Program currently being offered in La Crosse and Dane Counties as well as the new Marvin partnership providing teletherapy services for all WisMed Members throughout the state, which allows physicians to pay out of pocket for services at a special WisMed rate or bill insurance. Both programs offer excellent counseling and coaching opportunities. WisMed will continue to explore ways to assist physicians.

Jim also shared updates on WisMed Financial. Financial well-being plays a great role in reduced stress and happiness. WisMed Financial is here to help physicians at all points of their financial journey, helping to make physicians more financially secure.

GO PAC GO 2022 will take place in August this year to raise ample funds for the upcoming election season. If you want to lead a team of physicians in your area for the four-week competition, let Heidi know. Last year's competition was a lot of fun!

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Nearly $400,000 increase on $1.5 million portfolio

Stethoscope and dollar sign

Strategic changes can significantly increase your retirement portfolio. A WisMed Financial client added almost $400,000 to their $1.5 million portfolio without changing investments. They used tax planning.

Let’s see where the $400,000 came from.

  • Approximately $1,000,000 in a tax deferred 403(b)
  • Approximately $500,000 in taxable investments (a.k.a. not in a retirement account)
  • Recently retired

Note that this is not a one-off or unique example. It’s a typical portfolio size for someone retiring which might apply to you too.

This 90 second video shows two of the tax strategies this physician will be using to obtain this gain.

With the financial markets down, now is a great time to address your 2022 tax plan. Need help? WisMed Financial has the tax tools and robust planning software to help you make the most of your finances.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to download the complimentary Physician Financial Guide from wismedfinancial.org.

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

WisMed Financial

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

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