Wisconsin Society of Orthotists, Prosthetists & Pedorthists
October 5, 2007 Meeting
The following minutes are a condensed summation of the actual recorded minutes. For a copy of the full minutes, please contact Andrea Pavlik, CO at (414) 778-4500.
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM by President Jake Wood. Jake announced the results of the 2008 election of officers. Results are: President, Dennis Janisse; CPed, V. President, Dennis Farrell, CP; Secretary, Mick Batton, CO; Treasurer, Jim Sajdak, CPed; Director (3 years), Andrea Pavlik, CO.
The original ballots will be held for one year at the law office of attorney Raoul Ehr.
By Laws
The proposed change to the By Laws to include the position of Immediate Past President as a non-voting member was accepted without opposition on the floor. These changes will go into effect January 2008.
Minutes
The minute's form the April 2007 meeting were distributed and accepted by a vote on the request that future minutes contain more detail.
Committee Reports
Medicaid Committee
Pam Hoffman, RN from Medicaid presented in the morning session.
Greg Gruman, CP, and chair of the Medicaid Committee made note that the morning presentation session by Medicaid Representatives was very positive and informative. Mr. Gruman recommended that as part of improving the PA process, we as practitioners need to learn the skills that will allow us to "write to the standards". Mr. Gruman plans on continuing to lead the committee to meet with Medicaid representatives to discuss other relevant issues such as: reviewing lifetime and replacement requirements, expand the list of approved items, administrative matters such as EDS still not recognizing NPI identifiers and the fact that are 4-5 moths late in implementing other updates such as CMS guidelines, new HCPCS billing codes and for these changes to be concurrent with CMS timelines.
The Medicaid Committee will follow up with Pam Hoffman in 3 months. Requests from the floor were made to obtain statistical information pertaining to PA submission and denial rates. Mr. Gruman and his committee will compile information as Medicaid prepares information for us.
Licensure Committee
The licensure committee has completed a review of all existing licensure bills and is preparing to adopt Wisconsin's first proposed licensure bill. A discussion ensued regarding the economic impact on individuals and companies to maintain their licenses.
Parity Committee
ACA presented information in the morning regarding parity issues in the nation.
A sample of the first draft of the Wisconsin Parity Bill was distributed to the Members for review. An intensive debate/ review of the bill ensued regarding language and revision from the initial draft...
The Parity Committee will begin to plan outreach efforts with WSOPP members, O and P and Pedorthic. Facilities, patients, allied health professionals, association and business partners, coordination with licensure committee activities, possible fund raising and potential contact with the insurance industry.
Communication Committee
Andrea Pavlik, CO reported that the committee continues to work with Aetrex, who is sponsoring the WSOPP website, to upgrade and improve the site. A suggestion was made to add an interactive discussion area to the website. This will be researched for its feasibility in the future. The communication committee also announced the beginning of a semi-annual newsletter to improve communication with WSOPP members and the O and P industry in the State of Wisconsin. Andrea requested that anyone with ideas for topics or articles to include in the newsletter contact her so the committee can continue to improve the publication.
The Communications committee also has been working on securing a site for the spring 2008 Semi-Annual Membership meeting. The meeting will be held on April 25, 2008 at the Howard Johnson/ Antiqua Bay Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Meeting notices, along with 2008 membership Dues invoices, and the next Newsletter will be mailed out in January 2008.
