Society Strategic Initiatives

Medical Liability—When the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that the state’s cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases was unconstitutional, our enviable liability environment was jeopardized. But the Society and its members worked tirelessly with legislators and others to restore a cap that would withstand constitutional scrutiny. Those efforts paid off when the Governor signed AB 1073 in March 2006. The law caps noneconomic damages at $750,000, helping to ensure that patients have access to care and physicians can continue to afford to practice in Wisconsin.

Health System Reform—Collaboration is key as the Society works to implement an effective health system reform plan, and physicians must play a key role in defining who and what will be covered and how it will be paid for. To that end, the Society developed a "standard benefit plan" that can be moved forward legislatively.

Health Care Quality Improvement—As a first step toward promoting practice-level quality improvement that ultimately will lead to real change in our health care system, the Society has developed DRconnection. A central repository of complete physician demographic data, DRconnection includes information about contractual relationships among physicians, clinics, hospitals and more. This information, which physicians can update and verify on an ongoing basis, will be used to support state quality improvement efforts, workforce planning, administrative simplification, and an on-line physician directory.

Additional Member Benefits

Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance & Financial Services—Excellent coverage, excellent value. Through the PIC Wisconsin Member Benefit program, most Society members receive a 7.5 percent discount on the medical professional liability insurance. A full line of other insurance and financial services products are available for your practice and personal needs, such as Workers Compensation, health and dental, business liability, disability and life insurance.

Wisconsin Medical Society Legal Services—Our attorneys provide free general legal information to members and health care partners 24 hours a day on the Office of General Counsel’s Web page. There, you’ll find key case summaries and answers frequently answered question about the laws regarding informed consent, patient records, risk management, opening and closing of a practice, and myriad other legal issues. Additionally, OGC responds to numerous telephone and e-mail queries regarding a variety of issues that affect the practice of medicine in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Medical Society Educational Programs—From face-to-face education, to “lunch and learn” teleconferences and even on-site customized programming, the Wisconsin Medical Society is committed to providing high quality, reasonably priced education that meets the needs of members and their staffs. In 2008, Society educators will focus on topics that affect nearly every medical group practice including Medicare, Medicaid, Evaluation and Management coding, and medical records. Click here for a listing of upcoming programs and registration information. Physicians receive CME credit for participating and continuing education units are available for staff.

Publications—Members receive the peer-reviewed Wisconsin Medical Journal eight times a year, and we keep you informed regularly with our e-mail newsletters: Insider and Medigram. Insider focuses on the latest health news from the State Capitol and Washington, DC, along with information about what physicians can do to accomplish critical advocacy goals. Medigram features Society news, practice management information and answers to your frequently asked questions.