---

Current Issue

July 3: New Department of Children and Families unveiled July 1

• Deadline extended for 2008 Quality & Safety Forum call for quality or safety improvement projects
• Free on-line conference to focus on early ID/treatment of kidney disease
• Multi-carrier system release information for July 2008
• In Remembrance: William L. Treacy, MD
• Quality & Efficiency
• More Medicare fireworks after congress’ July 4 recess?
• July 4 holiday kicks off election season
• Effectively developing job descriptions–it really matters!
• CMS to host 2008 PQRI national provider conference call July 9

---

June 30: Medicare reimbursement cuts delayed

---

June 27: Senate fails to prevent July 1 Medicare cut

---

June 26: 12,000 member milestone surpassed!

• PQRI forum July 1 to help family physicians receive incentives
• AMA looking for allied health pros turned physicians
• Quality & Efficiency
• Medicare reimbursement fix close; physician calls needed!
• New Benefits in ‘Healthworks’

---

June 19: Secretary Leavitt announces selection of Wisconsin Medical Society, MetaStar and WCHQ as 1 of 12 sites for major EHR Demonstration

• Reminder: First of three meetings about lawsuit to restore IPFCF fund
• Society seeks physician nominees for BadgerCare Plus Clinical Advisory Committee
• 2009 National Patient Saftey Goals announced
• Give a ‘country’ doc a well-deserved break
• Quality & Efficiency
• Medicare cut still looms, Congress considering options
• MEB begins to address license time issue
• November 2008 elections: Wisconsin poll shows Obama +9
• Court of Appeals upholds trial court’s rejection of informed consent claim
• Niesen chosen as first recipient of the Robert ‘Jason’ Gore Scholarship

---

June 12: Medicare bill support needed: Contact Senators Kohl, Feingold now

• Society seeks summary judgment in lawsuit
• Prevention Summit July 17-18 in Appleton
• CMS starts program to confirm NPPES data
• Reminder: National survey gives physician a voice
• Quality & Efficiency
• Medicaid training: Sign up today!

---

June 6: Society endorses resolution to improve patient safety, eliminate adverse events

• Register now to access 2007 PQRI feedback report
• Reminder: Dane County’s ‘MedDrop’ offers safe disposal of unwanted meds
• Society’s Medical Records & the Law seminar next week
• Society asks State for licensing delay answers
• Society member insurance options at age 65
• Physician level quality measures: CMS asks providers to help test new measures
• 2008 PQRI National Provider Call now available

---

May 29: In Memoriam: Alice Hassberg Thayer

• Free Webinar June 12 to focus on importance of documentation
• Updated tobacco guideline now available
• NIH launches Undiagnosed Diseases Program
• Election races taking shape; physician involvement needed!
• Scholarship recipients announced

---

May 22: No NPI = no pay after tomorrow

• OCR releases HIPAA privacy consumer brochures in eight languages
• Update: Workers’ Compensation Guidelines, intent
• Resources available for people exposed to radiation
• Humana to post updated ‘physician effectiveness’ scores for patients
• MEB to review licensure process
• Society councils taking on the tough issues
• CMS releases updates to the incident-to billing policy for Medicare

---

May 15: NPI deadline next Friday; AMA seeking input by Monday

• It’s in the mail!
• Free talk to focus on domestic violence SBIRT
• HHS adds new HIPAA enforcement data to Web site
• Dunn to be honored with Distinguished Service Award
• Budget repair bill now in Gov. Doyle’s hands
• Long-term care insurance: A smart investment at any age

---

May 8: Physicians urged to join HCCN

• New rule creates new Medicare standards for e-prescribers
• Reminder: CMS to host national education call May 13
• Dane County’s ‘MedDrop’ offers safe disposal of unwanted meds
• Input sought on use of suffixes in drug names, subsequent problems
• Society members encouraged to submit ideas year round
• Physician participation wanted in cure for claims month campaign
• Wisconsin’s chance to be heard, survey in the mail
• 2008 White Coat Campaign underway
• Memorial/Tribute program way to honor someone special

---

May 1: Enforcement of state law restricting use of DEA numbers expected to begin May 23

• Value of both quit-smoking counseling and medications confirmed in new guideline
• CMS urges testing NPI-only claims now; deadline for implementation is May 23
• Newly revised ABN must be implemented by September 1
• New long-term disability plan features guarantee issue for members who enroll early
• DMEPOS accreditation may impact your office
• Madison physician to discuss lesbian health care needs at June AMA meeting
• AMA to host EMR/EHR web conference

---

April 24: Workforce issue survey deadline extended to April 30

• GAO report: Bush administration’s directive on SCHIP violates law
• CMS proposes to expand quality program for hospital inpatient services
• OIG issues letter detailing changes to self-disclosure protocol
• Smith to receive UW-Madison 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award
• Bailet appointed to AMA group practice advisory group
• Waukesha physician elected President, Wisconsin Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Budget repair agreement: still waiting
• PIC risk management teleconference and event updates April 29

---

April 17: Steven Bergin, MD, inaugurated Society 155th president

• Two physicians named 2008 Physician Citizens of the Year
• Robert Phillips, MD, receives Society’s highest honor
• Thomas Meyer, MD, receives Presidential Citation Award
• Society presents multiple Meritorious Service Awards
• Help for uninsured rolls into Wisconsin
• Society calls on Kohl/Feingold to support new Medicare bill
• “It was truly an inspirational evening.”
• Foundation award recipients honored during Society’s Annual Meeting

---

April 10: Measles confirmed in Wisconsin; DPH issues guidelines

• Physician and CMO input still needed for workforce issue surveys
• BadgerCare Plus implementation of the NPI–What you need to know!
• Robert J. Dempsey, MD, to receive 2008 AANS Humanitarian Award
• AMA Foundation recognizes two UW medical students for efforts to aid the homeless
• Sri Vasudevan, MD, receives “Spirit of Caring” award
• Smokefree poll shows strong bipartisan support
• Contribute to WISMedPAC / WISMedDIRECT at Friday’s Annual Meeting
• Are you comfortable with the ins and outs of “incident-to” billing?

---

April 7: Wisconsin Division of Public Health issues measles alert

---

April 3: AHRQ ranks Wisconsin no. 2

• Physicians asked to complete workforce survey by April 10
• CMS issues final Medicare e-prescribing rule
• Sign-up open for June conference on eHealth
• UW medical students host symposium to encourage ‘healthy classrooms’
• Society physicians visit Congress to highlight Medicare concerns
• WMSI&FS ranked no. 1 in ‘Best of 2007’

---

March 27: AHRQ ranks Wisconsin no. 2

• Exclusive long-term disability plan for Wisconsin Medical Society members
• More than 200,000 kids exposed to secondhand smoke at home
• Network to send important alerts electronically, no longer via mail
• UW La Follette Spring 2008 Symposium April 29
• Ask Senators Kohl and Feingold to support the ‘Save Medicare Act of 2008’
• Legislative retirements abound
• Reminder: Save the date to explore your hidden potential

---

March 20: Explore your hidden potential at the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation annual event

• Society joins Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
• Help build Wisconsin’s public health team
• CME conference for young pediatricians April 18-20
• Input sought from primary care doctors nationwide
• Remington named to national advisory committee
• Governor signs patient sharing data bill into law
• Society Web site FAQ now includes Evaluation and Management coding information
• Medicare requirements for prescribing durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies—What you need to know

---

March 13: Reminder: April 1 deadline for use of tamper-resistant prescription pads nears

• Wisconsin first state to screen all newborns for ‘Bubble Boy disease’
• 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative releases preliminary participation results
• Deep elected to ACP Council of Young Physicians
• Wisconsin Medical Journal needs your expertise
• Hospital tax is budget repair centerpiece
• Risk Management Solutions available through PIC WISCONSIN

---

March 6: Society files amended claim in Fund lawsuit

• Web site and on-line course offer resources to improve health care quality in diverse populations
• Health literacy the focus of Annual Meeting CME
• Annual Alzheimer’s disease symposium March 15
• “Healthy Wisconsin 2.0” introduced
• Governor initiates budget repair process
• Lance Armstrong joins fight to make Wisconsin Smoke Free
• Campaign season quickly approaching
• Explore your hidden potential
• Foundation kicks off raffle

---

February 28, 2008: Save the date: Society’s Annual Meeting April 11 and 12

• Calls to Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line break all records
• Physician profiling resources available from AMA
• Former Rep. Gielow joins Society on special assignment
• Can a physician be liable to a third party for the actions of a patient?
• Assembly version of statewide smoking ban heard in committee
• PQRI, NPI, CAP, MAC, C-SNAP, EPO, IVR, RAC ... it just sounds like vegetable soup!

---

February 21, 2008: NPI deadlines around the corner

• State has limited supply of free tamper-resistant prescription pads
• Society discusses IPFCF lawsuit on radio
• Leadership positions available
• Wisconsin Medical Journal needs your expertise
• Mental Health Parity Action Day draws big crowd
• Update: Statewide Smoking Ban—Assembly public hearing
• Citizens for Smoke-free Air to hold rally at the Capitol
• Mental Health Records Bill passes Committee
• FYI: For Your Insurance-You get what you pay for!
• FYI: For Your Insurance-Congratulations

---

February 14, 2008: DHFS amends immunization regulations for students

• Nominees for Society offices
• Proposed regulation to enforce Patient Safety Act now available for comment
• Society joins national campaign to discourage teen alcohol abuse
• Reminder: Mental Health Parity Action Day is Feb. 20
• Society testifies on two ‘cost transparency’ bills
• Congressman Kagen introduces ‘No Discrimination in Health Insurance Act’
• Update: Statewide smoking ban
• 2008 Landis Lecture for patients and physicians

---

February 7, 2008: HHS Secretary awards Wisconsin Healthcare Value Exchange with special distinction

• Fee assessment notification for Wisconsin-licensed physicians on the way
• The check could be in the mail
• Physician musicians in Brown County raise money for childhood safety
• February 13 WCRI webcast to include Wisconsin findings
• Join a Strategic Council
• Various cost ‘transparency’ bills abound in Capitol
• Supreme Court election April 1
• Mastering Medicare in 2008

---

January 24, 2008: IPFCF cash balance now over $40 million in the red

• Medicare NPI requirement begins March 1, 2008; test claims now!
• White Coat Wisdom celebrates Wisconsin physicians
• Should your patient be driving?
• $1,000 essay contest seeks UW’s best rural health paper
• Pharmacy consolidation to be implemented Feb. 1
• Call for speakers
• Think Spring! April 10, to be precise…

---

January 10, 2008: Medicare participation deadline extended

• Still time to participate in 2008 Medicare Part B Drug CAP
• Family Planning Waiver Program changes detailed in latest ‘Update’
• Join a Wisconsin Medical Society Strategic Council
• Mental Health Parity Action Day set for Feb. 20
• AMA steps up advertising campaign for the uninsured as elections approach
• Still time to nominate doctors for Physician Citizen of the Year
• Submitting influenza and pneumonia vaccinations to Medicaid—are you getting paid correctly?
• BadgerCare Plus to be implemented Feb. 1
• Starnes, PIC WISCONSIN prepared for your defense
• Foundation announces 2008 grant awards

---

December 27, 2007: State files answer to IPFCF complaint

• Physician musicians in Brown County raise money for childhood safety
• Dr. Luetzow appointed to AMA committee
• California orders Blue Cross to stop using controversial confidentiality agreement
• Vaccine administration under the Part D Program starting January 1, 2008
• Frozen pipes can wreak havoc
• During this season of giving…

---

December 17, 2007: ALERT - HIB containing vaccine recalled

---

December 13, 2007: IPFCF Board votes to not increase fees for FY 2008

• Assembly takes first step toward Constitutional amendment to protect IPFCF, other funds
• UnitedHealthcare clarifies notification requirements
• Do you have your number?
• Medical College of Wisconsin names new Dean
• UW Hospital and Clinics names new CEO
• Dec. 19 seminar will teach strategies to help patients quit smoking
• Employer tips for holiday parties
• Surgical and non-surgical modifiers—telling the whole story
• Waiting to purchase long term care insurance can be costly
• During this season of giving…

---

November 29, 2007: Court upholds $8.4 million malpractice award

• CMS cautions: Some physicans reporting Social Security Numbers in publicly-disclosed fields
• Madison and Dane County Health Departments merge
• Resolution deadline date for 2008 Wisconsin Medical Society Annual Meeting
• Nominate a candidate for Physician Citizen of the Year
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars - Call for applications
• Society seeks to file an amicus brief in the Schultz case
• ‘What’s New for 2008’ is just around the corner
• PIC Wisconsin shows support of Society lawsuit
• Kenneth M. Viste, Jr., MD, 2008 Young Physician Leadership award nominations being accepted

---

November 15, 2007: Unless Congress acts, physicians face 10% Medicare payment reduction

• A LETTER TO SOCIETY MEMBERS
• United Healthcare to pay preventive and problem-focused visits on the same day
• When ‘dolor’ means ‘pain’, and you’re not sure where to go from there
• AMA urges physicians to share concerns about insurers’ profiling programs
• Looking ahead for 2008
• PIC WISCONSIN announces rate reduction for 2008
• A semester off turned into 24 years…

---

November 1, 2007: Media coverage positive in wake of lawsuit

• October Journal part of global initiative
• CPT code updates – What’s new for 2008
• All worker’s comp carriers are not alike
• Foundation donations help keep outstanding students in Wisconsin

---

October 18, 2007: State budget update: Rumors of progress?

• Wisconsin law restricts use of DEA numbers to intended purpose
• Cash in those PIC shares pronto!
• Collaboration and supervision requirements for APNPs and CRNAs
• Practice management issues focus of upcoming teleconference
• Dental plan options available for Society members
• Contributions to Foundation benefit students

---

October 4, 2007: Society prepared to protect IPFCF

• President delays implementation of tamper-resistant Rx pads
• Society seeks small practices to test DocSite
• National Depression Screening Day October 11
• Register now for PIC Wisconsin risk management session
• Dane County’s ‘MedDrop’ offers safe disposal of unwanted meds
• Vasudevan receives national honor
• Society hires new Sr VP of Quality and Efficiency
• Milwaukee Circuit Court issues latest ruling in wrongful death and medical malpractice case
• Coding Symposium just 10 days away
• Pick wisely: Compare operating philosophies, defense records, stability and experience
• Smiles from the Class of 2011

---

September 20, 2007: Tamper-resistant Rx pads required October 1

• Upcoming legislative forums offer chance to share your views
• Wisconsin site of Midwest Healthcare IT conference
• The check could be in the mail
• Litigation efforts yield nearly $7 million for Wisconsin physicians
• Coding changes: Are you prepared?
• Life Insurance: Taking care of personal AND professional needs
• 2008 Foundation event to feature the real ‘Rain Man’

---

September 6, 2007: NPI Registry now available

• NPI: Tips for successful claims processing
• Wausau doctor takes ‘Medical Diplomacy’ seriously
• Society co-sponsors 2007 Wisconsin Quality and Safety Forum in October
• Physician support sought for better alternatives to toxic chemicals
• APNPs must have individual insurance if prescribing independently
• Tomorrow is last day to save $80
• September is Life Insurance Awareness Month
• Robert T. Cooney, MD Scholarship encourages rural practice

---

August 23, 2007: Society launches innovative health insurance pilot for Fox Valley physicians

• Your voice is needed!
• Nominating Committee solicits nominees
• Wisconsin Medicaid to require NDC codes for all drugs and supplies: What does this mean for you?
• Participants sought for consumer education facilitator training
• Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute establish new National Pediatric Kidney Disease Research Center
• AMA launches multi-million dollar campaign to cover the uninsured
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps more than 57,000 Wisconsin patients
• Medical Examining Board decides physician supervision not required for some certified registered nurse anesthetists
• Just two weeks left to save
• Smiles from the Class of 2011
• A Reminder…

---

August 9, 2007: Statewide Physician Health Program ending; Society seeking information

• Wisconsin Medicaid now collecting NPIs
• NPI registry and database dissemination delayed
• An Extraordinary Art Exhibit
• Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation to host second annual dialogue
• New federal law requires Medicaid patients’ prescriptions be written on tamper-resistant pads
• Time running out for ‘early bird’ savings
• Retirement Savings Shortfall
• White Coat Campaign achieves goal

---

July 26, 2007: Sign the petition - Stop the IPFCF raid

• Proposed Medicare rule cuts physician reimbursements by 10 percent in 2008
• CMS proposes eliminating fax exemption for electronic prescribing
• Doctors Without Borders coming to Milwaukee
• Free clinic seeks volunteers
• Society members in the news
• CMS publishes additional guidance on educational requirements under Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
• Evaluation and Management Services series offered
• Most homes are undervalued for insurance
• Society members encouraged to apply for Foundation grants

---

July 12, 2007: State budget: Conference Committee members named; IPFCF raid in play

• Society to officially launch new Web site Monday
• Don’t waste good medicine!
• Physician volunteer sought for anti-global warming group
• Health literacy input sought
• Law allows CMS to revoke Medicare enrollment and billing privileges for physicians convicted of certain felonies
• WPS Medicare Part B clarifies E/M Table of Risk
• Earn up to 17 CEUs in 2½ days
• CME available for ‘Medical Professional Liability Insurance: A Practitioner’s Primer’
• New donor recognition wall installed

---

June 28, 2007: State Senate passes budget; IPFCF raid remains - Democrats also unveil Universal Health Care Proposal

• Hetsko re-elected to AMA Board of Trustees
• CMS Delays Dissemination of National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Data
• Previously denied CAD mammography claims to CIGNA being accepted
• Present on Admission—get your questions answered
• Society member receives award from international medical association
• Wisconsin Medical Society Alliance awards grant
• Preventing rabies deaths
• FYI from WPS: ASCA enforcement of mandatory electronic submission of Medicare Claims
• Last call for PMCC course
• Transform knowledge into action
• PIC Wisconsin accepting registrations for networking session
• Scholarship recipients announced

---