Latest News

Elder abuse statistics provide guidance for clinical practice

Madison, Wis. (January 3, 2012) – Physicians and other health care professionals need to make every possible attempt to recognize elder abuse because failure to do so can have devastating consequences, according to a study in the current issue of WMJ (vol. 110, no. 6). The study identifies key characteristics of vulnerable people 65 and older and of potential abusers based on a cross-sectional analysis of elder abuse and neglect cases reported to the Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA) from 2006 to 2009.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Not ready for Version 5010? Submit a transition plan to avoid claim rejections

Madison, Wis. (December 16, 2011) – All Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and legacy contractors will accept HIPAA Version 4010 claims until March 31, 2012. Physicians and other health care providers who have not yet tested Version 5010 claims, can continue to send Version 4010 claims to their MACs and legacy contractors, but only after submitting a transition plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) within the next 30 days. Read more.

State implementing HIPAA 5010
as scheduled on January 1

Madison, Wis. (December 15, 2011) – Even though the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is delaying enforcement until March 31, 2012, ForwardHealth has announced it will implement HIPAA ASC X12 Version 5010 transaction standards and the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) Telecommunication Standard Version D.0 on January 1 as required by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These changes affect physicians and other health care professionals who care for patients participating in the BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, SeniorCare, Wisconsin Chronic Disease and Wisconsin Well Woman programs. Read more.

Interactive education model helps create vision-friendly hospital

Madison, Wis. (November 7, 2011) – Health care workers who participate in an interactive learning experience are more likely to be sensitive to the needs of patients with low vision, according to a report in the current issue of WMJ (vol. 110, no. 5). The learning opportunity at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee was one component in the hospital’s interdisciplinary training about how low vision affects patients 65 and older.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Vote on Physician Apology Bill
delayed by procedural objection

Madison, Wis. (October 26, 2011) - State Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee) used a procedural objection Tuesday night to delay that State Assembly’s final vote on Assembly Bill 147, the Physician Apology Bill. When the bill came up for debate, Rep. Richards (D-Milwaukee) first proposed an amendment to weaken the bill by removing protections for physician statements of fault, liability and responsibility. That amendment failed by a wide margin, and was tabled.

The Assembly then approved an amendment to include a broader array of nursing homes into the bill's protection (an amendment the Society is fine with). At that point, there was the usual motion for unanimous consent to give the bill its third reading (a fairly standard procedure that both sides generally agree to), which is necessary to allow a final vote on a bill. There was objection, which then requires a super-majority vote to override. Despite another lop-sided vote, it was short of the super-majority needed.

The bill has been calendared for next Tuesday, November 1, as a special order of business. The delay makes overall passage a bit uncertain because the State Senate must approve the bill as well, and next week may be the last time both houses will be in session until 2012. Read more.

Seminars address 2012 proposed changes to Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule

The Wisconsin Medical Society is offering day-long seminars this fall to provide details about the Physician Fee Schedule proposed changes to Medicare Part B policies, procedures and reimbursement for 2012. Seminars are scheduled October 18 in Madison, October 19 in Brookfield and October 20 in Green Bay. Read more in Medigram.

Click here for more information, including how to register for this important face-to-face seminar.

Students with more than 1 job more likely to be injured, study finds

Madison, Wis. (Sept 12, 2011) – High school students who were enrolled in School-Sponsored Work Programs and were working multiple jobs were 1.6 times more likely to be injured on the job compared to those working one job, according to an article in the current issue of WMJ (vol. 110, no. 4). The study was funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

2011 PQRIwizard available now

Madison, Wis. (May 17, 2011) –Group measure submissions for the 2011 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) may now be entered into the PQRIwizard. The PQRIwizard is a fast, convenient and cost-effective online tool to help collect and report quality measure data for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) PQRS incentive payment program. Reporting for individual measures through the PQRIwizard is expected to launch in early July. Learn more about the tool in last week's Medigram.