Standing up for physicians in the wake of data breaches

Data breaches affecting health care organizations and the subsequent burden placed on physicians are growing more concerning. These breaches, often beyond the control of the affected physicians, pose significant challenges not only to patient privacy but also to the physicians and practices who are left to manage the fallout.

The Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) is working to ensure that physicians affected by a breach that was not their fault do not suffer additional consequences by having to shoulder the responsibility of notifying patients, the media, and regulatory bodies about potential personal health information (PHI) breaches.

WisMed recently joined with dozens of other physician organizations on a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) calling for clarity and crucial changes to how data breach notifications are handled – specifically in the most recent data breach affecting Change Healthcare. The letter asks for clarity around reporting responsibilities and for assurance to affected physicians that reporting and notification obligations from the breach must be handled by Change Healthcare. The letter also asks OCR to publicly state that its breach investigation and immediate efforts at remediation will be focused on Change Healthcare, and not the providers affected by Change Healthcare’s breach.

Breaches negatively impact physicians’ ability to provide efficient care; adding additional burdens to blameless physicians is unacceptable.

If you’d like additional information or have any questions, please contact Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine. JD.

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June 5 virtual Town Hall to discuss WisMed HOD referendum

In August of 2020, the Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed) House of Delegates (HOD) voted overwhelmingly to eliminate itself as WisMed’s ultimate policymaking body. Following the trend of other state medical societies across the country and responding to member feedback criticizing the once-per-year House of Delegates process, WisMed embraced a new, year-round system where members can submit policy proposals at any time. The 40-member Board of Directors regularly reviews and acts on those proposals following membership input. The online portal, PolicyLink,* is open for any member to submit a proposal at their convenience.

As part of that August 2020 action, the HOD included a failsafe in case the new year-round system did not function: holding a membership referendum for June 2024 to ask the question: “Should the Wisconsin Medical Society rescind the constitutional amendment adopted in August 2020?” This binding referendum will be held via PolicyLink from June 24 through June 30.

To help members with information about the reasoning behind the 2020 action and the ramifications of the referendum’s outcome, WisMed leaders and staff will be hosting a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, June 5 at 6 pm. To register for the Town Hall, please click here. After staff receives your registration request, your membership will be verified prior to receiving a confirmation email from Zoom. If you have questions you would like addressed at the Town Hall, please submit them via the Zoom registration page or email Stephanie Taylor by May 31. You can also submit questions during the event itself, or reach out to WisMed Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Mark Grapentine, JD for more information.

*PolicyLink is a members-only resource and will require you to log in. For questions or assistance please contact [email protected].

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70 students still need white coat sponsors!

Help us warmly welcome the incoming class of first year medical students to the profession of medicine by participating in the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation’s 2024 White Coat Campaign. With a gift of $100 you’ll provide a white coat and personal message of welcome and encouragement for a first-year medical student attending school in Wisconsin. We still need sponsors for 70 students, so if you haven’t participated before, this is the year to get involved.

The heartfelt notes of welcome and the responding thank you notes from the students make this a very rewarding program. Please respond today. We need your help to make sure that all students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Medical College of Wisconsin receive a coat and note of welcome. Participating in the White Coat Campaign is a wonderful way to make a difference in the life of a medical student while at the same time reflecting on your own days in medical school.

To participate, donate online at foundation.wismed.org/whitecoat or email [email protected].

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Simplify your DEA Certificate Renewal with one comprehensive course

The new 8-hour DEA training requirement for certificate renewal might seem overwhelming, especially with a tight schedule. However, the Wisconsin Medical Society (WisMed), in collaboration with CCO, has streamlined the process for you. We offer an 8-hour course tailored for convenience, enabling you to efficiently complete the required training on substance use disorders under the MATE Act mandate.

One physician praised the course as a "very comprehensive program and well delivered," highlighting how well it fits into a busy schedule. This course's flexibility allows you to choose between video or text modules, ensuring you can learn in the way that suits you best, at your own pace. Plus, WisMed members receive an exclusive discount with code WISMED100. Nonmembers can also receive a discount using code WISMED50. Enroll now!

New to the DEA MATE Act? Check out the DEA Resource Center to learn more.

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Life, death, and taxes

If you’re looking for some creative ways to minimize your tax payments, don’t overlook the benefits of life insurance. There are several types of life insurance policies that serve different objectives, the greatest is a tax-free death benefit for your beneficiaries. Also, the death benefit does not go through probate, so only your beneficiaries can receive the money. There are a few things to look for when searching for the right life insurance.

When choosing life insurance programs, term life policies are typically the most popular. Term policies offer a larger death benefit for a smaller premium; however, the rates are only locked in for a certain number of years and don’t provide any cash return if you outlive the term or cancel the policy.

The advantage of a permanent policy is that it can build cash value which can be accessed tax-free while you are living and still provide a tax-free death benefit for your beneficiaries.

Universal life plans offer more flexibility but are also driven by interest rates. When setting up this policy, it is very important to work with your agent to make sure it is properly funded in the beginning to avoid the need to put more money into it later.

Whole life policies can also be a good option for cash value growth, but there are things to look for here as well. If you choose a policy that has dividend options, you can set up the policy to allow you to access the dividends tax-free without worrying about having a loan on the policy that could affect how the policy pays out. The biggest thing to be aware of with cash value policies is that if you take out more money than what you put in, the gains would be considered taxable income.

To learn more, reach out to Lisa Koerner or the WisMed Assure team at [email protected], complete this quick online form or call 608.442.3810 for help with your insurance needs.

Originally posted in the Antidote March 30, 2024

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as insurance advice related to your specific policy or situation. Please consult with a qualified insurance advisor or professional before making any policy decisions. Full disclaimer and contact information.

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Digital marketing discount for WisMed members

You can get a digital marketing or TV campaign tailored specifically to your needs and customers with the Wisconsin Medical Society’s (WisMed) preferred media vendor, WMSN-TV in Madison. Digital marketing is hyper-targeted and more efficient than ever. Discover the ways your practice can get in front of the perfect new customer.

As a WisMed member, there are no production fees – for a TV commercial, that’s a $2,500 value, including creative design and expert advice from health care industry marketing professionals.

Examples of campaigns:

• PSAs (vaccinations, community health initiatives, etc.)
• Clinic Advertisement (new location, services, etc.)
• General Awareness

Email Jim Lorence to take advantage of this offer.

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