The governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse convened for their first meeting on Oct. 28 in Green Bay and their second meeting on Nov. 22 in Weston. In September, Gov. Walker issued Executive Order 214 to establish a task force to gather data, analyze actions of Wisconsin and other states, and recommend additional action items […]
GIB Reviews Self-Insurance Responses
Date Fri, Dec. 2, 2016 - 10:20am By Hamilton
On November 30, the Group Insurance Board (GIB) convened to discuss the nine responses received under the state’s Request for Proposals (RFP) to move employees to a self-insurance model. Under a self-insurance model, the state would assume the risk for claims and directly pay benefits. Currently, the state contracts with and pays a fixed monthly […]
Update on Med 24, the Telemedicine Rule
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:14pm By Hamilton
In the fall of 2015 the Medical Examining Board (MEB) submitted an order to create Med Chapter 24 related to telemedicine to provide greater clarity for physicians with regards to the practice of telemedicine in Wisconsin. In November, the MEB held a public hearing on the redrafted rule. The amended draft received written support from […]
DHS Requests Includes $452 Million More for Medicaid
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:56am By Hamilton
Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Linda Seemeyer submitted her agency’s budget request to Governor Walker on September 15, 2016. The request asks for a total of $455.5 million in additional general purpose revenue (GPR). In her cover letter, Secretary Seemeyer points out that the funding increases in the budget request are limited to standard […]
Governor Announces Task Force on Opioid Abuse
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 9:58am By Hamilton
On Sept. 22, Governor Walker announced creation of a Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, to be co-chaired by Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. John Nygren (R – Marinette). In doing so, Governor Walker ordered the Wisconsin State Health Officer to issue an advisory regarding the serious public health problem that has been created […]
Telemedicine Rule Moving through Medical Examining Board
Date Wed, Aug. 31, 2016 - 1:05pm By Hamilton
In the fall of 2015 the Medical Examining Board (MEB) submitted an order to create Med Chapter 24 related to telemedicine. According to the scope statement, the objective of the proposed rule is to provide greater clarity for physicians with regards to the practice of telemedicine in Wisconsin. Currently, there is no reference to the […]
State Releases Self-Insurance RFP
Date Wed, Aug. 31, 2016 - 12:51pm By Hamilton
In July, the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) released a request for proposal (RFP) for the administration of a self-insurance health plan for state employees. Responses to the RFP are due back by September 19. ETF recently extended the deadline by a week and a half. The Group Insurance Board (GIB), which sets […]
New DHS Secretary Begins Job
Date Wed, Aug. 31, 2016 - 12:50pm By Hamilton
On August 22, Linda Seemeyer started her new role as Secretary of Department of Health Services. Earlier in August, Governor Walker appointed Seemeyer to lead the agency because of her experience in health and human services at the county level and her career in management. Secretary Seemeyer’s past experience includes serving as the Director of […]
DHS to Expand Family Care and IRIS Statewide
Date Tue, Aug. 9, 2016 - 3:16pm By Hamilton
On July 28, the Department of Health Services announced the expansion of Family Care and IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program statewide. In their press release, DHS stated that the expansion will be completed by the first quarter of 2018. Currently the Family Care and IRIS programs provide long-term care services to frail elders, and adults […]
DHS’ latest Medicaid projection for 2015-17 is below budget
Date Thu, Jul. 7, 2016 - 3:27pm By Hamilton
With the end of the first year of the biennium on June 30, the Department of Health Services (DHS) released their latest estimate on the Medicaid budget for the 2015-17 biennium. DHS projects that at the end of the biennium (June 30, 2017), the Medicaid expenditures will be below the appropriated levels set in the 2015-17 budget. […]