Membership Update

AMA Update - No Surprises Act

The No Surprises Act took effect on January 1, 2022.

The provisions of the No Surprises Act (NSA) were intended to address unexpected gaps in insurance coverage that result in “surprise medical bills” when patients unknowingly obtain medical services from physicians and other providers outside their health insurance network.

Because the No Surprises Act imposes limits and confers some rights on physicians caring for patients in these situations, it is important for physicians to understand how the law will affect them.

The AMA has created a Physician Toolkit to prepare for the implementation of the NSA. The AMA will be updating this document as additional guidance is available, as well as developing new resources on the remaining provisions of the NSA not included in this toolkit.

AMA Summary

CMS Press Release

CMS Fact Sheet

WMS Board of Trustees Meeting

January 29, 2022

WMS Bylaws specify that all meetings of the WMS Board of Trustees (BoT) are open to active members. The WMS BoT will be at the end of the month to discuss legislative policy positions as well as conduct the other business of the Society.

As always, our members' input is welcome and appreciated. We do our best work when we have perspectives from across the state and from various specialties.

Please contact the WMS office if you would like to login to watch the meeting's proceedings. We hope to see you there!

WyTN Updates

Wyoming Telehealth Consortium

The Wyoming Telehealth Consortium is the central meeting space to discuss the programs, success/challenges, and discuss ideas on improving the use of telehealth in the state. The Consortium meets on the last Tuesday of every month, from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. Anyone interested in building telehealth is encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

3:00pm - 4:30pm

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/371954998

WyTN Webinar Survey

We want to know your thoughts! You can assist the Wyoming Telehealth Network as we continue to support your efforts by letting us know what you need most out of our services and programming.

Please take a few minutes to give your ideas by completing this survey.

It’s fast, it’s meaningful, and we will be so grateful that you did.

Click to Begin Survey

WMS Mourns Loss of Rich Rideout, JD

Richard Scott Rideout, JD

Rich was an important part of the WMS team for many years during his time as the WMS legal advisor and counsel.

"I really enjoyed working with Rich because not only was he an outstanding attorney with extensive knowledge of legal issues facing physicians, he was also very funny and kind to everyone he met. It was great to go to meetings with him-- he loved going to fancy big-city restaurants. He will be missed."

-Rob Monger, MD

Thank you, Rich, for your service and dedication to the Wyoming Medical Society. You will be greatly missed.

View Obituary

Workforce Services Grant

COVID Updates

The CDC updated its vaccine recommendations this week to include booster doses for fully vaccinated youth ages 12-15.

A single booster dose of vaccine is now recommended for anyone ages 12 and over who received their second Pfizer dose at least five months ago. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech/COMINARTY vaccine is authorized for individuals aged 12-17 years.

Adults 18 and over who received their second Moderna COVID-19 dose at least six months ago or who received a Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago are also eligible for booster doses. Mixing and matching of vaccine types for booster doses is acceptable for adults.

Most children ages 5-11 are eligible for two doses of the Pfizer vaccine meant for that age group if they haven’t yet been vaccinated. A third dose for children in this age group who have moderately or seriously compromised immune systems was also authorized and recommended this week.

The updated booster recommendations from CDC followed authorization by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

Click to Read More

HAN - COVID-19 Therapeutics and Mitigation Update

Omicron is now estimated to be the dominant COVID-19 variant in both the United States and Region 8, which includes Wyoming. Bamlanivimab plus etesevimab and REGEN-COV are unlikely to retain activity against Omicron; sotrovimab appears to retain efficacy against Omicron. Two oral antiviral medications (PAXLOVID and Molnupiravir) have received emergency use authorization for use and will be distributed to Wyoming providers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shortened isolation and quarantine recommendations and updated quarantine recommendations based on booster status.