Archive for the ‘Wisconsin Government’ Category

Wisconsin Announces Residential Renter Assistance, But Details are Scarce

Thursday, May 21st, 2020

Earlier this week, the Wisconsin Department of Administration announced the creation of the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program. The state has allocated $25 Million to a program to assist residential renters with rent payments and security deposit obligations from the grant the state received under the CARES Act funds issued to all states. My partner, Joe Mella, posted a great article on this that you can access Wisconsin Rental Assistance

CMS State Goals in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Thursday, April 30th, 2020

By John Fisher, JD, CHC, CCEP

CMS has identified its general goals during the COVID-19 pandemic on a few occasions. The most recent was in the April 30, 2020 press release in which CMS introduces new regulatory waivers to assist providers as they emerge from the pandemic. CMS’ identified goals have included:

  1. To ensure that local hospitals and health systems have the capacity to handle COVID-19 patients through temporary expansion sites (also known as the CMS Hospital Without Walls initiative);
  2. To expand at-home and community-based testing to minimize transmission of COVID-19;
  3. To expand the healthcare workforce by removing barriers for physicians, nurses, and other clinicians to be readily hired from the local community or other states;
  4. To increase access to telehealth for Medicare patients so they can get care from their physicians and other clinicians while staying safely at home; and
  5. put patients over paperwork by giving providers, healthcare facilities, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and states temporary relief from many reporting and audit requirements so they can focus on patient care.

linkscolor = “000000”; highlightscolor = “888888”; backgroundcolor = “FFFFFF”; channel = “none”;

<!– Please place the above code into your site where you want to have a bookmark/share/publicize link.

Read more here: Health Law Blog

  

Joint Commission COVID-19 Resources

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Joint Commission COVID-19The Joint Commission, one of the nation’s top accreditation organizations for health care providers, has published a variety of useful resources for health care organizations.  The resources provide some excellent coverage and are useful for all providers who are facing the Coronavirus pandemic.  The Joint Commission says that its goal in creating the resource page is to support health care professionals and organizations on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Perhaps the biggest highlight of general application is the Joint Commissions “Real Voices. Real Stories.”  The Real Voices includes stories from a variety of front-line health care workers. 

You can download a PDF file of “Real Voices. Real Stories” at the following link: Real Voices PDF Download

Some of the stories in the “Real Voices” section include coverage of a Joint Commission Life Safety Coach Surveyor  and an emergency department nurse at one of the largest hospitals in Chicago, among others.

The Joint Commission website includes a variety of other resources.   The Joint Commission does not have the largest list of resources.  Instead, the Joint Commission’s goal is to attempt to cut through the deluge of information on the COVID-19 virus and provide “only the information that best meets the needs of health care workers and leaders.”

Coronavirus Checklist for Nursing Homes and Hospitals

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

By John Fisher, JD, CHC, CCEP

Follow the links below to download from the CDC.

A coronavirus preparedness checklist for hospitals, including long-term acute care hospitals are available from the CDC.

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings:

Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF):

Read more here: Health Law Blog

  

Maneuvers and Techniques Prohibited in Community Based Programs and Facilities

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

Wisconsin Prohibited Maneuvers and Techniques in Community Based Programs

Wisconsin Behavioral Health Managing Aggressive Behaviors

Wisconsin Behavioral Health Lawyer

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) as released a memo that specifies maneuvers or techniques that may not be used at any time in community based programs and facilities. DHS deems the prohibited maneuvers or techniques to “present an inherently high risk of serious injury and even death.”  Providers are directed by DHS to immediately discontinue the use of any of the listed maneuvers.  Prohibited maneuvers, techniques, and procedures that may not be used under any circumstances include:

  • Any maneuver or technique that does not give adequate attention and care to protection
    of the head.
  • Any maneuver or technique that places pressure or weight on the chest, lungs, sternum,
    diaphragm, back, or abdomen.
  • Any maneuver or technique that places pressure, weight, or leverage on the neck or throat, on any artery, or on the back of the head or neck, or that otherwise obstructs or restricts the circulation of blood or obstructs an airway, such as straddling or sitting on the torso, or any type of choke hold.
  • Any maneuver or technique that involves pushing into a person’s mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • Any maneuver or technique that utilizes pain to obtain compliance or control, including punching, hitting, hyperextension of joints, or extended use of pressure points.
  • Any maneuver or technique that forcibly takes a person from a standing position to the floor or ground. This includes taking a person from a standing position to a horizontal (prone or supine) position or to a seated position on the floor.
  • Any maneuver or technique that creates a motion causing forcible impact on the person’s head or body, or forcibly pushes an individual against a hard surface.
  • The use of seclusion where the door to the room would remain locked without someone having to remain present to apply some type of constant pressure or control to the locking mechanism.

DHS explains in the memo that the ultimate goal is to replace such interventions with trauma-informed systems and settings, positive behavior supports, and non-coercive intervention strategies. DHS promotes recovery and healing that is consumer-driven, person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-based.

In addition to describing measures that are completely prohibited, DHS states that restrictive measures that are not prohibited may only be used in emergency situations in which there is an imminent risk of serious harm to self or others, or as part of an approved plan. Situations in which the person’s behavior was foreseeable based on his or her
history are not considered an emergency.   Even restrictive measures that are not directly prohibited must be avoided whenever possible and may only be used after all other feasible alternatives, including de-escalation techniques, have been exhausted. When necessary, restrictive measures may only be used with the minimum amount of force needed, and for the shortest duration possible, to restore safety.

Facilities should review their policies and practices to assure compliance with the guidelines set forth in the memo. Additional staff training should be conducted to assure compliance with these standards.   Additionally, providers should become familiar with the changing standards of care and best practices focused on building skills and techniques to de-escalate and redirect behaviors that present safety concerns, and work earnestly to promote a trauma-informed culture of care.

Medical Record Copying Charges In Wisconsin

Wednesday, May 7th, 2014

Wisconsin Law Release of Patient Medical Records

Wisconsin Law requires health care organizations to provide records are to patients “on request.”  Records can be provided directly to the health care provider subject to payment of the statutory fees.  Patient must deliver an “informed consent” to the organization consenting to release of their records.

Fees were revised as provided below:

(a) A patient’s health care records shall be provided to the patient’s health care provider upon request and, except as provided in s. 146.82 (2), with a statement of informed consent.

(b) The health care provider under par. (a) may be charged reasonable costs for the provision of the patient’s health care records.

(2) The health care provider shall provide each patient with a statement paraphrasing the provisions of this section either upon admission to an inpatient health care facility, as defined in s. 50.135 (1), or upon the first provision of services by the health care provider.

(3) The health care provider shall note the time and date of each request by a patient or person authorized by the patient to inspect the patient’s health care records, the name of the inspecting person, the time and date of inspection and identify the records released for inspection.

 (3f)

(a) Except as provided in sub. (1f) or s. 51.30 or 146.82 (2), if a person requests copies of a patient’s health care records, provides informed consent, and pays the applicable fees under par. (b), the health care provider shall provide the person making the request copies of the requested records.

 (b) Except as provided in sub. (1f), a health care provider may charge no more than the total of all of the following that apply for providing the copies requested under par. (a):

Revised Fees for Patient records:

 Wisconsin Medical Record Maximum Fees through June 30, 2014 — (last year’s fees noted for reference)

Paper copies

  • First 25 pages: $1.04/page ($1.02/page)
  • Pages 26-50: 77 cents/page (76 cents/page)
  • Pages 51-100: 52 cents/page (51 cents/page)
  • Pages 101 and above: 31 cents/page (30 cents/page)

Microfiche or Microfilm: $1.55/page ($1.52/page)

Print of an X-ray (per image): $10.32 ($10.15)

If the requestor is not the patient or a person authorized by the patient

  • Certification of copies: $8.26 ($8.12)
  • Retrieval fee: $20.65 ($20.30)

Wisconsin Health Law Legislation Signed By Governor Walker

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

Health Care Legislation Signed By Governor Walker 

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed 63 new pieces of legislation into law on April 9, 2014, several of which relate to the health care industry.  The new health care legislation includes the following:

1.         HIPAA Harmonization.  The HIPAA Harmonization Act which changes laws relating to behavioral health records to better align Wisconsin laws to federal HIPAA requirements.  Assembly Bill 453.

2.         Hospital Conditions of Participation.  A new law requiring the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to use Medicare Conditions of Participation when surveying hospitals.  This legislation gives DHS the authority to enforce standards that are contained in federal regulations as the minimum standards for Wisconsin hospitals.  The DHS is required to interpret the conditions of participation using guidelines established by the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”).  The new standards will apply beginning July 1, 2016.  Senate Bill 560.

3.         Physician Residency Requirement.  Post medical school residency requirements for physicians are increased from one to two years.  New medical school graduates will now be required to complete two years of residency unless they receive an unconditional endorsement from the residency program director.  The new law also creates a new “resident educational license” to replace the current “temporary educational permit.”  A new “administrative physician license” is also created which authorizes physicians to hold a license limited to administrative services.  Senate Bill 579.

4.         Mental Health Pilot Program.  A new pilot program in Milwaukee County was created which allows emergency detention without the involvement of law enforcement in certain circumstances.  Under this bill, the authority to initiate emergency detention is expanded to a “treatment director” or their designee, including a licensed social worker, professional counselor, or psychiatric nurse.  The stated purpose of the pilot program is to reduce stigma in mental health by allowing a clinical approach rather than a law enforcement approach to emergency detentions.  Assembly Bill 500.

5.         Volunteer Health Care Programs.  A law to allow an out-of-state health care professional to partner with a non-profit provider to participate in Wisconsin’s volunteer health care provider program.  The health care provider must have a current license to practice in their home state or territory and must only volunteer within their scope of their practice.  Senate Bill 391.

6.         Provider “Apology” Protection.  A new law which allows a health care provider to have full and frank conversations with patients or patients’ relatives that may include apology, benevolence, compassion, condolence, fault, liability, remorse, responsibility, or sympathy, without risk of admissibility in civil action, administrative hearing, disciplinary proceedings, mediation, or arbitration as evidence of liability.  Assembly Bill 120.

7.         Tribal Treatment Facilities.  A new law that permits an approved tribal treatment facility to assess and treat participants in the intoxicated driver program who are either tribal members or relatives of tribal members.  The bill requires a court to notify the person convicted of operating while intoxicated that the offender is eligible for treatment at the facility and the facility must notify the appropriate county assessment agency within 72 hours of assessing the individual.  Assembly Bill 32.

8.         Annual Mental Health Service Reports.  A new requirement that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services provide a report to the Legislature on January 1 of every odd numbered year that describes what mental health services are being provided by the counties.

9.         Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Reports.  A requirement that hospital employees refer infants to a physician if they suspect the infant has fetal alcohol syndrome.  The physician is then required to evaluate the infant for the syndrome if they determine there is a significant risk of fetal alcohol syndrome.  The physician must then report to the agency responsible for investigating cases of child abuse and neglect.  Assembly Bill 675.

If you require further information on any of these legislative enactments, please contact John H. Fisher, II, CHP, CCEP.  Further updates will also be found at http://www.healthlaw-blog.com.

New Physician Assistant Supervision Requirements Effective March 1

Tuesday, March 11th, 2014

Wisconsin MEB Changes PA Supervision Requirements

The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) recently approved several changes impacting physician supervision of physician assistants (PAs) in Wisconsin. These revisions are reflected in the Wisconsin Administrative Code Med 8 (Med 8) and became effective March 1, 2014. It is important that physicians be aware of the changes and the impact the revisions may have on their practice.

Here’s an overview of the key changes:

Supervising Physician to Ratio
A supervising physician may now simultaneously supervise four, rather than two, on-duty PAs. There is no limit to the number of PAs that a physician can supervise over time, and a PA may be supervised by more than one physician while on duty. A physician may still request authorization from the MEB to supervise additional PAs.

PA Prescribing
PA prescribing is simplified under Med 8. A PA may prescribe orders for drugs provided the PA’s prescriptive practices are initially reviewed, and at least annually reviewed after the initial review, by a supervising physician. Reviews must be documented and signed by the supervising physician, and the PA must be available to the MEB upon request.

Identifying the Supervising Physicians
Med 8 adds the requirement that the supervising physician must be readily identifiable by the PA. The rule does not require a specific manner of documentation—just that it is being documented.

Substitute Supervising Physicians
Substitute supervising physicians no longer need to be reported to the MEB.

On-Site Visit and Review of PA Practice Locations
A supervising physician is no longer required to make a monthly visit and on-site review of each facility where the PA practices.

The full text of Med 8 is available online. Physicians who supervise PAs should be conscious of the new requirements and adjust their practices accordingly to ensure compliance.

MSA Metropolitan Statistical Areas Wisconsin

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the State of Wisconsin

Wisconsin contains 11 Metropolitan statistical areas that are totally within the state and an additional four MSAs that overlap state borders.  The Wisconsin MSAs include the following areas:

1.         Appleton (Outagamie and Calumet)

2.         Eau Claire (Eau Claire and Chippewa)

3.         Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac(

4.         Green Bay (Brown, Oconoto and Kewaunee)

5.         Janesville (Rock)

6.         Madison (Dane, Columbia and Iowa)

7.         Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington)

8.         Oshkosh-Neenah (Winnebago)

9.         Racine (Racine)

10.       Sheboygan (Sheboygan)

11.       Wausau (Marathon)

The four cross-border MSAs applicable to the State of Wisconsin include:

1.         La Crosse (La Crosse/WI plus Houston/MN

2.         Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington (Anoka, Carver, Chicago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright/MN plus Pierce and St. Croix, Wisconsin)

3.         Duluth (Carlton and St. Louis/MN plus Douglas, WI

4.         Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (Cook, Dekalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenig and Will/IL plus Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter/IN plus Kenosha, WI

Wisconsin Department of Health Services – QuickLinks

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Resource Links

Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesWisconsin DHS Main Page

Certification, Licensing and Permitting

DHS Division of Long Term Care

DHS Office of Inspector General

DHS Division of Quality Assurance

 DHS Office of Legal Counsel

 Division of Quality Assurance ListServ

 DQA Facility Register

 DQA Provider Training