Society COVID-19 action update

The Wisconsin Medical Society (Society) continues to advocate for physician and patient needs during this pandemic as Wisconsin’s physicians continue to provide high-quality care while putting themselves at risk. The Society’s efforts over the last week have produced tangible results in the fight against COVID-19.

Creation of temporary licenses

• Governor Evers issued an order on March 27 easing regulations for retired physicians to return to the workforce and allowing physicians to work across state lines on a temporary basis. The Society worked with the Evers Administration to create these temporary licenses which are tied to the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration.
• The Society reached out to retired physicians to identify who would be interested in helping during this crisis. We appreciate all the responses and interest we have received already from retired physicians. If you are a retired physician who is interested in helping during the crisis, please complete this short form.   

Medical Malpractice guidance

• In conjunction with Governor Evers’s order, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) issued guidance directing medical malpractice insurers to treat telehealth services the same is if those services were provided in person. In addition, OCI is directing malpractice insurers to work with providers with temporary licenses created under the Governor’s order to obtain coverage. This guidance was directly influenced by the Society’s actions and engagement.

Telehealth Expansion

• In that same order Governor Evers temporarily eased telemedicine guidelines in general and allowed physicians to work across state lines with a temporary license. The order also directed OCI to facilitate coverage outside of traditional settings and to work with insurers on ways to minimize barriers to telehealth. This order was created with Society collaboration.
• Both the Department of Health Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have announced new guidelines for telehealth. This includes coverage and reimbursement parity, establishing new patient relationships, in-home consultations and telephone-only services among many other policy expansions.

State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)

• Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, has been in contact with the SEOC on a number of issues and will be joining its Sector Support Task Force. This will provide the Society and the state’s physicians with an active voice in how the emergency actions of the state are handled.

Safe Harbor for COVID-19

• The Society will be working with all relevant stakeholders to create a liability safe harbor for physicians providing care during the COVID-19 crisis. Discussions are ongoing and details will follow.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• The Governor announced Tuesday that Wisconsin will be receiving its second shipment of PPE from the national stockpile. The Society has been working with the Evers Administration to stress the continued need for PPE and supports all efforts to increase both access and supply.
• If you have questions about how to access the stockpile, please contact your local county emergency management coordinator. Additional information can be found here.

Please contact HJ Waukau with additional questions.

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Last chance to get your absentee ballot today!

Next Tuesday, April 7 is Wisconsin’s spring election and today, April 2 is the last chance to request your absentee ballot online at www.myvote.wi.gov - it’s so simple! It will be sent to you via mail; just fill it out and return it in the postage paid envelope that is included. Your ballot must be received by April 7. Some municipalities are providing absentee ballot secure drop off sites, check your clerk’s office for details.

This election includes the Presidential primaries for both democrats and republicans, the general election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, a constitutional amendment to strengthen victims’ rights as well as local races that vary throughout the state.

The Supreme Court race is significant. Conservative Justice Daniel Kelly and liberal challenger Dane County Judge Jill Karofsky are both running for a full ten-year term on the court. The court currently has five Justices that lean conservative and two that lean liberal. 

The Wisconsin Elections Commission is urging voters to use this absentee option because although they are planning on proceeding with the election, a federal judge ruled yesterday that it is up to the Governor and legislature to change that if they deem necessary. Many municipalities may consolidate locations in order to have enough workers at polling places and the National Guard has been charged with staffing the polling places. Other options that have been approved include curbside, drive through and outdoor options. Any of these in-person voting options could change by next week as the legislature may act.

Even though fundraising events are on hold, you can still make political contributions to the candidates of your choice via WISMedDIRECT (our conduit) or to WISMedPAC (political action committee). Please contact Heidi Green to make a Direct or PAC contribution.

Make your voice heard. You’re on the front lines right now and you have opinions on our government leadership. Be sure to go to the link above to request your ballot. It takes just minutes!

Contact Heidi Green, Director of Development and Political Giving at [email protected] or 608.442.3720 with any questions.

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Discounted telehealth for clinics – Society partners with Valet Health

The Wisconsin Medical Society has partnered with Valet Health, an innovative health care digital marketing company, to offer a streamlined – and HIPAA compliant – telehealth start-up service during the coronavirus pandemic.

As a part of this partnership, the following fully managed services are being made available:

• Startup fee is waived ($350 value)
• Room set-up (create a virtual waiting room, the dedicated space for where clinicians will see patients during a telehealth visit)
• How-to documentation 
• An email communications template to educate patients about the availability of telehealth visits
• A website banner notification for telehealth appointments for WordPress websites 
• Telehealth template page for patient education 
• $75 per month per clinician charge for continuation of service, if desired

It is imperative at this time to be inclusive in our efforts to overcome this virus; therefore, the Society is offering this service to members and nonmembers.

Please click here to learn more or contact Jim Lorence with questions.

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Society CEO participates on WMC panel

On Wednesday, Society CEO Bud Chumbley, MD, was a panelist for the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) weekly webinar addressing COVID-19 concerns. Dr. Chumbley conveyed to all those present the need for quicker testing of COVID-19 and the importance of collaboration between providers and systems during this crisis.

Dr. Chumbley also informed everyone of the Society’s efforts to reach out to over 1,800 retired physicians to help alleviate workforce and access concerns as well as the Society’s additional efforts to supply clinicians with the resources they need to deal with COVID-19.

During the call Dr. Chumbley was asked if the Governor’s “safer at home” order would be extended, and he stated that it would while emphasizing the need to take social distancing requirements seriously.

Please contact HJ Waukau with additional questions.

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COVID-19 crisis prompts OCI guidance to insurers

Coverage flexibility encouraged for group benefits

Insurers are being asked to allow small employers of physicians and other health care workers (2 - 49 employees) to extend health care coverage to employees who work less than 30 hours per week or are furloughed due to COVID-19.

The Commissioner, Mark Afable, issued a bulletin on March 26 that “encourages insurers to make available the option of maintaining coverage under the group insurance plan for employees working fewer than 30 hours per week.”

The bulletin also “encourages insurers to work with employers to provide the option of continuing dental, vision and prescription drug benefits when offered as separate policies.”

With a stay at home order in place until at least April 24, this is an important development for small groups. And, if insurers follow these recommendations, it will eliminate the need to change providers or incur new deductibles and cost-sharing requirements once the crisis has passed and employees return to full-time work.

Telemedicine and temporary provider professional liability coverage

In a separate bulletin issued on March 31, OCI made it clear that insurers should do everything they can to help.

“At the direction of Governor Tony Evers, Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable issued a request to medical malpractice insurers today aimed at expanding access to telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and at ensuring retired and out-of-state health care workers can get the medical malpractice coverage in order to support the state's response to COVID-19.”

Bud Chumbley, MD, MBA, and CEO of the Wisconsin Medical Society said, “It is extremely important for insurers to act now as all of Wisconsin steps up to the plate to minimize the severity of this crisis.”

What next?

Both of these bulletins were prompted by inquiries made to the OCI from members of the medical community as well as a significant amount of advocacy by the Society and its insurance agency WisMed Assure.

This is a fluid situation as insurers react to these recommendations. To get the most up-to-date information about your insurance coverage, please contact us at [email protected] or 608.442.3810.

Christopher A. Noffke, GBDS
Director of Group Benefits
WisMed Assure

WisMed Assure, dba for Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. is the Wisconsin Medical Society’s insurance agency.  Profits earned by WisMed Assure directly support the mission and vision of the Society.

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Society staff working for you – remotely

Wisconsin Medical Society staff would like to thank each and every one of our more than 10,000 members for your dedication to the profession and your patients, especially during this time. While staff continue to work remotely, we have confidence in our ability to serve our members without any disruption to your benefits. To ensure that the Society meets your needs, we wanted to provide the following directory for your specific inquiries. 

Membership: 800.762.8975 or [email protected]

Advocacy: [email protected]

Foundation: 608.442.3800 or [email protected]

Insurance: 866.442.3810 or [email protected]

Political giving: [email protected]

If you have a specific need and are not sure who to call, please call our general phone line at 608.442.3800 or toll free at 866.442.3800 and our staff will be happy to assist you.

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Governance modernization update

Wisconsin Medical Society staff has put the final touches on the proposed new governance structure and has created this document to help communicate that structure and the process used to develop this. Members will have time to review the proposal and provide feedback prior to the proposal going before the 2020 House of Delegates (HOD), which will be rescheduled once it is feasible to do so given the current health care crisis. The HOD may be rescheduled as a virtual meeting.

With the recent events related to COVID-19 and the impact it has had on in-person gatherings, never has it been a more important time to explore better tools and resources for digital engagement. Members can experience one piece of the proposed model now, by leaving feedback on 2020 HOD resolutions via the Virtual Reference Committees, now powered by our WisMed Community platform*, or by emailing [email protected].

*WisMed Community is a members-only resource and will require you to log in. For questions or assistance please contact Anne Hauer.

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Society and Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin issue joint statement

Earlier this week the Wisconsin Medical Society and the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (PSW) issued a joint statement asking physicians and pharmacists to exercise responsible prescribing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the statement addresses concerns about stockpiling and preventative prescribing of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as potential treatments for patients with COVID-19.

In addition, the statement affirms both the Society’s and PSW’s support for the national joint statement between the American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. It also expresses support for the myriad of clinical trials currently underway.

Please contact HJ Waukau with questions.

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