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You are receiving this update as a Wisconsin Medical Examining Board licensee or as a subscriber to this communication.
Medical Examining Board Quick Links
Chair's Corner
Last fall, I was speaking with a colleague about renewing our licenses, which we did that week. While my colleague’s attempt sailed through, my license renewal application was delayed because of an old email address on file with DSPS that had not been deleted since my previous license renewal.
It became a stressful week, while DSPS updated my contact information in its database, and I nearly missed the renewal deadline.
This episode led me to think about how I could use my experience to create a list of what you may do or neglect to do that could lead to unnecessary attention from DSPS, needless stress for physicians, and waste of time and energy for both parties.
Not actively maintaining current contact information with DSPS is just one example. The lesson learned is that promptly notifying DSPS of a change in contact information (name, email address, physical address, phone number) without delay can help us avoid the consequences of failing to respond in a timely manner to requests for information from the Department/Board.
The contact information on file for each physician is the contact information provided when the license application was filed, unless specific contact with DSPS has been made to update the information.
It is easy to update your contact information with DSPS. Just submit a support ticket:
- Select Account Questions from the “I need assistance with” dropdown.
- Provide your name, date of birth, the last 4 digits of your SSN and the new contact information in the description field.
You can also submit a support ticket for a broad range of licensing questions, from difficulty logging in to your account to questions about renewal.
Regarding criminal convictions (any felony or misdemeanor), physicians are required to notify DSPS within 48 hours of the conviction, and to provide the Board with certified copies of the criminal complaint and judgment of conviction within 30 days. Also, they must report to the Board any final adverse actions taken against a licensee’s authority to practice medicine and surgery in another jurisdiction, or adverse actions taken by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration against a licensee’s authority to prescribe controlled substances within 30 days of the action.
These are all examples of how you should take care in your interactions and communications with DSPS so that you minimize the risk of adverse consequences and prevent wasted time and effort when it is time for you to renew your credential.
Be sure to plan ahead to complete the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirement, which is 30 credits over the two-year renewal period for physicians. If you hold a Drug Enforcement Administration number to prescribe controlled substances, two of the 30 hours each biennium must be an educational course or program related to prescribing opioids and other controlled substances. These two hours no longer have to be specifically board approved. As part of this CME regulation, you must maintain evidence of course and program completion and provide it to the department if requested. (See below for more information about CE Broker, a new tracking tool for continuing medical education). It should be noted, different states have different CME requirements, so it is important to ensure you are in compliance for each state in which you hold a license. DSPS will conduct a random audit of physician’s CME, and if non-compliance is discovered it can result in discipline.
Also be sure to check the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (ePDMP) every time you prescribe a monitored prescription drug and check it before the prescription is ordered. I would like to emphasize that review of the monitored prescription drug history report about a patient in the ePDMP is required each time, before you issue an order for a monitored prescription drug. “Monitored Prescription Drug” includes substances listed in Schedules II, III, IV and V, and gabapentin, a drug identified by the Wisconsin Controlled Substance Board (CSB) as having a substantial potential for abuse (as of September 2021). Although exceptions may be made when the practitioner is unable to review the patient’s records because the ePDMP system is not operational, you may sign up to receive advanced notification of anticipated ePDMP downtimes due to regular or emergency website maintenance. Contact the PDMP at PDMP@wisconsin.gov if you wish to enroll in this notification list.
In short, proactively keeping the department informed and updated about how to contact you, bringing criminal convictions and adverse actions to the attention of the department, following the rules regarding CME credits, including opioid and other controlled substances training, and reviewing the ePDMP for each prescription prior to prescribing a monitored prescription drug, are reasonable expectations of Wisconsin license holders.
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Clarence P. Chou, MD
Chair, Wisconsin Medical Examining Board
Medical Examining Board
Clarence P. Chou, Chair - Physician Member (Milwaukee, WI)
Sumeet K. Goel, Vice Chair - Physician Member (Plover, WI)
Gregory Schmeling, Secretary - Physician Member (Hartland, WI)
Milton Bond, Jr. - Public Member (Milwaukee, WI)
Callisia Clarke, Physician Member (Milwaukee, WI)
Kris Ferguson, Physician Member (Wausau, WI)
Diane M. Gerlach, Physician Member (Kenosha, WI)
Stephanie R. Hilton, Public Member (Madison, WI)
Carmen Lerma, Public Member (Milwaukee, WI)
Steven R. Leuthner, Physician Member (Whitefish Bay, WI)
Lubna Majeed-Haqqi, Physician Member ( Brookfield, WI)
Derrick R. Siebert, Physician Member (Wausau, WI)
Emily S. Yu, Physician Member (Milwaukee, WI)
Information on how to apply for appointment to the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board, or other gubernatorial appointments, can be found through the Office of the Governor.
Administrative Rules Information
Pending Rule Changes
Keep current with any pending rule changes affecting your profession by visiting the DSPS website to view the Pending Rules listing.
Administrative Rulemaking Process
Please review the Rulemaking Process page of the DSPS website to learn more about the promulgation of Administrative Rules.
New Continuing Education Tracking Tool For Wisconsin Physicians
The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) is partnering with CE Broker to offer new
continuing education tracking tools to Wisconsin’s licensed physicians.
The MEB recently voted to affirm the use of CE Broker as the primary tool to track
continuing education and conduct the compliance audits for license renewals, including any
audits this Spring (2024). The board is not requiring but encouraging you to use CE Broker.
You can create a free CE Broker Basic Account, which includes new tools that provide
everything you need to track your continuing education and stay in compliance with
requirements.
Key features of a free Basic Account:
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Digital Tracking - Access your complete continuing education course history, store
your certificates, and check your compliance status anytime.
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Course Search - Easily find every course needed to successfully complete your
license renewal requirements.
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Easy Reporting - Most education providers will automatically report course
completions to CE Broker for you. You can also easily self-report any missing credits
by uploading your proof of completion.
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Helpful Support - CE Broker provides a team of experts trained on the rules and
regulations of your board, available Mon-Fri from 8am - 8pm ET via live chat, email,
and phone.
You also have the option to pay a fee and access higher-level accounts that include tools
beyond those offered through the free, basic account. Those include tools like a
personalized CE Broker transcript or access to a CE Broker account manager.
CE Broker has provided helpful instructions for creating an account.
You can also find more detailed information about the tools available and how to sign up by
going to the physicians profession page on the DSPS website.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
Statistics Dashboard
Professional Assistance Procedure (PAP) Information
The Professional Assistance Procedure (PAP) is a non-disciplinary program for credentialed professionals with substance abuse issues who are committed to their own recovery. The procedure is designed to protect the public by promoting early identification of chemically dependent professionals and encouraging rehabilitation. It is also designed to provide an opportunity for qualified participants to continue practicing, without public discipline, while complying with the terms of a contract that is closely monitored by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
If you are a credentialed professional struggling with substance abuse issues, we encourage you to review the PAP Instructions and submit an application:
PAP Instructions
Application
Contact Information
Professional Assistance Procedure
Department of Safety and Professional Services
PO Box 7190 Madison, WI 53707-7190
Email: DSPSImpairedProfessionalProcedure@wi.gov
Phone: (608) 267-3817 (Press 6 for PAP/Monitoring)
Fax: (608) 266-2264
Please note that participation in PAP will not exempt a credential holder from discipline. It may be used in conjunction with the formal disciplinary process in situations where allegations of misconduct, negligence or violations of law exist, other than practicing while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
Duty to Report Convictions
Physicians are required to provide certified copies of the criminal complaint and the judgement of conviction within 30 days of any conviction (felony or misdemeanor). Failure to report a conviction within 48 hours is unprofessional conduct under Wis. Admin. Code § Med 10.03(3)(h). Board action, including discipline, may result for any conviction that is substantially related to the practice of medicine and surgery. Board action may also result from a failure to timely report any convictions as required.
Enforcement Actions of the Board
The Medical Examining Board, in collaboration with staff at the Department of Safety and Professional Services, can take action against its licensees to help protect the profession and the citizens of Wisconsin. You may search for any of the Board Orders listed below on the Department’s website by using this link:
Board Order Search:
https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/SelfService/OrdersDisciplinaryActions.aspx
Board Orders
August 26, 2023 - April 17, 2024
The Department of Safety and Professional Services
A wealth of useful information is available on the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) website at: https://dsps.wi.gov
Do you have a change of name or address?
Licensees can update name or address information by creating a support ticket and selecting Account Questions from the “I need assistance with” dropdown.
Please note that confirmation of changes is not automatically provided. Legal notices will be sent to a licensee’s address of record with the Department.
Telephone Directory
Call DSPS toll-free (877) 617-1565, or (608) 266-2112 in the Madison area to connect to the service you need.
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