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Medigram - October 4, 2007


TOP STORIES

Society prepared to protect IPFCF

With the possibility of a raid on the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund looming, the Wisconsin Medical Society announced in a press release Tuesday its preparations for potential litigation in the event the raid occurs.

The Society has retained Thomas M. Pyper from Madison’s Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC law firm. Pyper successfully defended the state’s Employee Trust Funds Board before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the 1997 Wis. Ret. Teachers Ass’n v. Employee Trust Funds Bd. case. In that case, the Court deemed illegal a government taking from the state’s pension fund. The state was ordered to return the original taking plus interest, a total of approximately $215 million.

Prior to the Society’s announcement, Wisconsin Public Radio aired a story about how physicians and trial attorneys are united against the raid; it was inspired by this surprising press release issued by the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers. The Business Journal of Milwaukee also printed a summary of the Society’s Tuesday release.

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) and Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit) continue to negotiate the budget outside the Capitol. It’s still difficult to predict when a final budget deal might break; however, at this point it is probably more likely than not that a Fund raid of some kind will be part of that budget deal.

There is still time to contact legislators and ask them to protect the Fund, as they did in 2003 and 2005. Click here to get contact information. Before you call, please read last Friday’s Insider with more detailed information surrounding the latest on the raid. For more information, contact Mark Grapentine.


President delays implementation of tamper-resistant Rx pads

President Bush signed into law on Saturday HR 3668, which delays until April 1, 2008 the implementation of a new requirement that all prescriptions for Medicaid patients be written/printed on tamper-resistant prescription pads/paper. The original law—tucked into an Iraq war spending bill and intended to reduce fraud and abuse—was scheduled to take effect October 1.

The Society worked closely with other statewide groups including the Pharmacy Society, Dental Association and Hospital Association, to help accomplish this delay. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) and Senator Herb Kohl (D-Milwaukee) were particularly helpful in ensuring that the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation's voice was heard.

For more information, contact Mark Grapentine or Jeremy Levin.

NEWS BRIEFS

Society seeks small practices to test DocSite

The Wisconsin Medical Society is seeking three primary care medical practices with one to five physicians to participate in a six-week test of the DocSite patient registry and e-prescribing technology. This opportunity is available to small medical practices that do not currently have an electronic medical record system. Participating physicians will receive free user licenses valued at $1500.

Selected practices will be expected to:
  • Fully engage in using the technology for 15 patients
    • Use all features and provide comments
    • Complete registry and eRx registration and set up
    • Review learning resources
    • Use registry and e-prescribing
    • Use reporting tools
  • Commit staff to participate (at least one staff person to work with the physician)
The minimum technology requirements for participation include:
  • Windows 2000 or above
  • Internet Explorer 5.0 or above
  • Adobe 4.0 Reader or higher
  • Pentium 2 Processor or faster with at least 800 x 600 element screen size
  • 256K or more of internal memory
  • Internet connection 300Kbs or more down, 128Kbs or more up: “high-speed” – DSL, Cable, Wifi, Wideband, or T1 / Fractional
The Physicians’ Foundations, which were established in 2004 as part of the antiracketeering class action lawsuit between physicians, medical societies, and HMOs, has as part of their mission spreading health technology as a means to improve health care quality. They are sponsoring this pilot test to gain knowledge about how to provide small practices with an affordable entry into the use of technology that does not significantly disrupt a medical practice. For additional information, e-mail Cindy Helstad, PhD, RN, or call 608.442.3751.


National Depression Screening Day October 11

Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton held a Capitol press conference last week to preview and highlight the importance of participation in National Depression Screening Day, October 11, 2007. The day is designed to identify mental health concerns in the workplace in an effort to improve employee productivity and build a better workforce for Wisconsin.

As a part of National Depression Screening Day, Lt. Gov. Lawton is encouraging citizens to take advantage of a free, on-line confidential screening. The 20-question survey takes only a few minutes to complete and is anonymous. The screening offers the opportunity to receive helpful information on a variety of topics and get personalized feedback about symptoms.

More than 600,000 individuals will be invited to take the on-line survey through their employer or organization on October 11, and Lawton urged other businesses and organizations to join this statewide effort. To learn more, click here or contact Jeremy Levin.


Register now for PIC Wisconsin risk management session

PIC Wisconsin is hosting a risk management networking session for policyholders Thursday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Madison. Open to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, the session will focus on techniques and procedures used in the operating room. In addition, you will discover how malpractice litigation and legislative trends may affect the way Wisconsin physicians practice medicine. Space is limited, and the deadline for registrations is Monday, October 15. For more information, click here or call 800.292.1036 ext. 3476329.


Dane County’s ‘MedDrop’ offers safe disposal of unwanted meds

If you live in Dane County, there’s now an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines called “MedDrop.” Thanks to the Madison Patient Safety Collaborative, a drive-through, drop-off service will be available for free to all Dane County residents. Just bring your old meds to the City of Madison Transfer Station—121 E. Olin Avenue (near the Goodman Pool) October 13 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, click here.

NEWS MAKERS

Vasudevan receives national honor

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has bestowed its Distinguished Clinician Award to Sri Vasudevan, MD. Doctor Vasudevan, a pain medicine specialist who is on the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Board of Directors, was honored for his “compassion in patient care and whose learned approach to teaching others has earned the admiration and respect of patients, students and colleagues.” Doctor Vasudevan received the award at the Academy’s 68th Annual Meeting, held in Boston on September 29.
  



Society hires new Sr VP of Quality and Efficiency

Nancy Nankivil has joined the Wisconsin Medical Society as Senior Vice President of Quality and Efficiency. Previously, Nankivil spent four year at the Employee Trust Fund (ETF) as the Director of Strategic Health Policy where she worked directly with Secretary Eric Stanchfield and Medical Director Ron Harms, MD.

“Nancy has a proven record of creating and implementing innovative ideas and approaches, and she will be a great asset to the Society as we continue the development of our quality and efficiency efforts,” said Society CEO/EVP Susan Turney, MD.

ETF was recently recognized by the Commonwealth Fund as a national leader in Value Driven Purchasing, and impressively, has kept premium rate increases in the single digits for three straight years.

YOUR PRACTICE. YOUR FUTURE.

Milwaukee Circuit Court issues latest ruling in wrongful death and medical malpractice case

The Milwaukee County Circuit Court issued its most recent decision in the Hegarty v. Beauchaine case on August 20, 2007. The Circuit Court ruled that defendants (Angela Beauchaine, MD, and OHIC Insurance Company) were not entitled to a new trial in this wrongful death and medical malpractice case.

Additionally, the Circuit Court ruled that the settlement agreement was a Pierringer release, therefore the 25 percent reduction of the almost $17.4 million awarded to the plaintiffs (Estate of Sarah Hegarty, the parents of Sarah Hegarty) by the Circuit Court in December 2004 was appropriate. Even with the reduction, this ruling brings the parents of Sarah Hegarty, a teenage girl who died in 1998, one step closer to collecting one of the largest malpractice awards in Wisconsin history.

Hegarty v. Beauchaine has gone on for over 11 years, and has involved a complex set of appeals and cross appeals. Whether this ruling will be the last in this case remains to be seen. Click here to read complete case summary.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Coding Symposium just 10 days away

The 8th Annual Coding and Practice Management Symposium is only 10 days away, and it’s not too late to register. Attend this year's event October 14-16 and you will get expert guidance related to setting up a compliance plan, tackling a chart audit, the proper way to bill for prolonged services, when to contact the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, identifying employee fraud and much more! Plan also to spend time visiting with the exhibitors and get your chance at one of several door prizes to be awarded at the conclusion of the Symposium (you must be present to win). For a detailed list of sessions and to register please click here.

FYI: FOR YOUR INSURANCE

Pick wisely: Compare operating philosophies, defense records, stability and experience

With so many coverage choices, it is essential to understand the differences between medical malpractice carriers. PIC Wisconsin/ProAssurance Group has led in the defense of physicians for over a quarter of a century. ProAssurance’s strong record of cases tried-to-verdict and customer service are testaments to their long-term commitment to help good physicians keep practicing good medicine.

To help ensure that you make the right choice when selecting a medical malpractice insurer, Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance and Financial Services urges you to consider these “20 Points to Ponder”. Then call your PIC WISCONSIN agent or contact Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance and Financial Services at 866.442.3810 for more information.

FOUNDATION FOCUS

Smiles from the Class of 2011



The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health held the White Coat Investiture Ceremony Sunday, September 16. Thank you to all who participated in the White Coat Campaign to sponsor the Class of 2011.

For more information about the campaign and other activities of the Foundation, click here.

Last Chance…

The grant application deadline for 2008 programs seeking funding from the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation is Monday, October 15, 2007. Physicians, medical students and residents are encouraged to submit grant applications on behalf of their organizations and projects to the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation for support of 2008 programs.

To view or download application materials and information on past grants click here. For more information, e-mail Renee Reback or call 608.442.3720.


FAQ

Question:
A 45-year-old patient presents to the clinic for a work-up of left lower quadrant abdominal pain. He has Peripheral T-Cell lymphoma of the axilla, in remission. At the beginning of the encounter (before any radiology findings are available from the hospital radiology department) what would the diagnosis code be?

A. 202.74, 789.04
B. 789.00, 202.70
C. 789.04, V10.79
D. 789.04, 202.74

Answer:
The correct answer is D because the patient came in for abdominal pain and there are no radiology findings available at this time. According to the AMA Coding Clinic, 2nd quarter 1992, pages 3-4, lymphoma patients who are in remission are still considered to have lymphoma and should be assigned the appropriate codes from categories 200-202. Code 202.74 should be assigned to represent Peripheral T cell lymphoma of the axillary region lymph nodes.

If you have questions about this or other coding matters, click here to review our FAQ archives, or e-mail efaq@wismed.org.

QUALITY CORNER

2007 Wisconsin Quality and Safety Forum

There is still time to register for the 2007 Wisconsin Quality and Safety Forum scheduled October 22-23, 2007 at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha. This forum is designed for physicians, quality improvement managers/specialists, risk managers, nurse executives, pharmacists, patient care services staff, chief executive officers, administrators, vice presidents, and patient safety improvement team members. Sponsors include the Wisconsin Medical Society, the Wisconsin Hospital Association, MetaStar, the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality, and the Wisconsin Health Information Organization. Click here for more information or to register on-line.