EmR1208. Relating to: The injured patients and Families Compensation Fund annual fund fees and mediation panel fees for fiscal year 2013  


Latest version.
  • Comments for this rule have closed


    Insurance – Revises Ch. Ins 17 - EmR1208

     

    Filed with LRB:        June 12, 2012

    Publication Date:       June 14, 2012

    Effective Dates:         June 14, 2012 through November 10, 2012

    Hearing Date:            June 19, 2012

     

    This emergency rule was approved by the Governor on May 25, 2012.

     

    The statement of scope #SS 001-12 was approved by the Governor on January 4, 2011, published in Register #673, on January 31, 2012 and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance on February 14, 2012. 

     

     

                  EMERGENCY ORDER OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE AMENDING, REPEALING AND RECREATING A RULE

    To amend Ins 17.01 (3);

    To repeal and recreate Ins 17.28 (6); Wis. Adm. Code,

    Relating to the injured patients and Families Compensation Fund annual fund fees and mediation panel fees for fiscal year 2013 and affecting small business.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    FINDING OF EMERGENCY

    The Commissioner of Insurance finds that an emergency exists and that the attached rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare.  Facts constituting the emergency are as follows:

    These changes must be in place with an effective date of July 1, 2012 for the

    new fiscal year assessments in accordance with s. 655.27 (3), Wis. Stats.  The permanent rule making process during an even-numbered year cannot complete the rule-making process prior to the effective date of the new fee schedule.  The fiscal year fees were established by the Board of Governors at the meeting held on December 14, 2011.

    _____________________________________________________________________________________

    ANALYSIS PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE (OCI)

    1. Statutes interpreted:

    ss. 655.27 (3), and 655.61, Wis. Stats.

       2.    Statutory authority:

    ss. 601.41 (3), 655.004, 655.27 (3) (b), and 655.61, Wis. Stats.

       3.    Explanation of OCI’s authority to promulgate the proposed rule under these statutes:

    The injured patients and families compensation fund (fund), was established by and operated under ch. 655, Stats.  The commissioner of insurance with approval of the board of governors (board) is required to annually set the fees for the fund and the medical mediation panel by administrative rule.  Section 655.04, Stats., provides that the director of state courts and the commissioner may promulgate rules necessary to enable them to perform their responsibilities under this chapter.  Pursuant to s. 655.27 (3) (b), Stats., the commissioner, after approval by the board, shall by rule set the fees to the fund and s. 655.61, Stats., requires the board, by rule, to set the fees charged to health care providers at a level sufficient to provide the necessary revenue to fund the medical mediation panels.  Further, s. 601.41 (3), Stats., provides that the commissioner shall have rule-making authority pursuant to s. 227.11 (2), Stats.

       4.    Related statutes or rules:

    None.

       5.    The plain language analysis and summary of the proposed rule:

    This proposed rule establishes the fees that participating health care providers must pay to the fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012.  These fees represent a 5% increase from fees paid for the 2011-12 fiscal year.  The board approved these fees at its meeting on December 14, 2011, based on the recommendation of the board's actuarial and underwriting committee and reports of the fund’s actuaries. 

    The board is also required to promulgate by rule the annual fees for the operation of the injured patients and families compensation medical mediation system, based on the recommendation of the director of state courts.  The recommendation of the director of state courts was reviewed by the board’s actuarial and underwriting committee.  This rule implements the funding level approved by the board by establishing mediation panel fees for the next fiscal year at $22.50 for physicians and $4.50 per occupied bed for hospitals, representing a decrease of $2.50 per physician and a decrease of $0.50 per occupied bed for hospitals from 2011-12 fiscal year mediation panel fees.

       6.    Summary of and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:

    To the fund board’s and OCI’s knowledge there is no existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address fund rates, administration or to fund medical mediation panel activities.

       7.    Comparison of similar rules in adjacent states as found by OCI:

    To the fund board’s and OCI’s knowledge there are no similar rules in the adjacent states to compare this rule to as none of adjacent states have a fund created by statute where rates are directed to be established yearly by rule as is true in Wisconsin.

       8.    A summary of the factual data and analytical methodologies that OCI used in support of the proposed rule and how any related findings support the regulatory approach chosen for the proposed rule:

    This rule establishes annual fund fees and mediation panel fees pursuant to the requirements of the above-noted Wisconsin statutes.  The recommendation to the board regarding the fund fee and the medical mediation panel assessment is developed by an actuarial firm under contract with the fund.  The actuarial firm outlines its assumptions and trending data in a report to the board’s actuarial and underwriting committee.  After information is presented, the report and supporting documentation is discussed and results in a recommendation to the board.  The chair of the actuarial and underwriting committee presents the information and the actuary’s report to the board for consideration.  This proposed rule reflects the rates approved by the board at the December 14, 2011 board meeting.

       9.    Any analysis and supporting documentation that OCI used in support of OCI’s determination of the rule’s effect on small businesses under s. 227.114:

    This increase in fund fees will have an effect on some small businesses in Wisconsin, particularly those that employ physicians and other health care professionals.  The mediation panel fee is assessed only on physicians and hospitals, not on corporations or other health care entities.  The fund fee increases will affect only those small businesses that pay the fund fees and mediation panel fees on behalf of their employed physicians.  However, the fund fee increase will not have a significant effect nor should it negatively affect the small business’ ability to compete with other providers.  Specifically for providers in the highest risk classification the fees will increase by $482 and for those in the lowest risk classification the increase is $73 for the fiscal year.

    10.    See the attached Private Sector Fiscal Analysis.

    The increase in fees promulgated by this rule does not result in a significant fiscal effect on the private sector.  Although a health care provider may pass this increase on to its patients, there will not be a significant fiscal effect on the private sector as a result of this proposed rule.

    11.    A description of the Effect on Small Business:

    This rule will have little or no effect on small businesses.  The increase contained in the proposed rule will require providers to pay an increased fund fee which will increase the operational expenses for the providers.  However, this increase is not considered to be significant and will have no effect on the provider’s competitive abilities.

     

    12.     Agency contact person:

    A copy of the full text of the proposed rule changes, analysis and fiscal estimate may be obtained from the Web site at: http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm

    or by contacting Inger Williams, OCI Services Section, at:

    Phone:       (608) 264-8110

    Email:       inger.williams@wisconsin.gov

    Address:    125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor, Madison WI 53703-3474

    Mail:         PO Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873

    13.    Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:

    The deadline for submitting comments is 4:00 p.m. on the 14 th day after the date for the hearing stated in the Notice of Hearing.

    Mailing address:

    Julie E. Walsh

    Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 1701

    Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

    PO Box 7873

    Madison WI 53707-7873

    Street address:

    Julie E. Walsh

    Legal Unit - OCI Rule Comment for Rule Ins 1701

    Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

    125 South Webster St – 2 nd Floor

    Madison WI 53703-3474

    Email address:

    Julie E. Walsh

    Julie.Walsh@wisconsin.gov

    Web site: http://oci.wi.gov/ocirules.htm

     

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    The proposed rule changes are:

    SECTION 1. Ins 17.01 (3) is amended to read :

    Ins 17.01 (3) FEE SCHEDULE.  The following fee schedule shall be effective July 1, 2011 2012 :

    (a)   For physicians--  $ 25.00 22.50 .

    (b)   For hospitals, per occupied bed-- $5 .00 4 .50 .

    SECTION 2. Ins 17.28 (6) is repealed and recreated to read :

    (6) Fee schedule.   The following fee schedule is in effect from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013:

    (a)    Except as provided in pars. (b) to (f) and sub. (6e), for a physician for

    whom this state is a principal place of practice:

                              Class 1…. $1,534          Class 3….$  6,136

     

                              Class 2…. $2,760          Class 4….$10,125

     

        (b)  For a resident acting within the scope of a residency or fellowship program:

                              Class 1….. $  767          Class 3….$3,068

                              Class 2….. $1,380         Class 4….$5,063

        (c)  For a resident practicing part-time outside the scope of a residency or fellowship program:

                              All classes………………………………   $921

        (d)  For a Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc., full-time faculty member:

    Class 1….. $  617           Class 3… .$2,470

    Class 2…..$1,104           Class 4… .$4,075

        (e)  For physicians who practice part-time:

        1.  For a physician who practices fewer than 500 hours during the fiscal year, limited to office practice and nursing home and house calls, and who does not practice obstetrics or surgery or assist in surgical procedures: ..$  383

        2.  For a physician who practices 1040 hours or less during the fiscal year, including those who practice fewer than 500 hours during the fiscal year whose practice is not limited to office practice, nursing homes or house calls or who do practice obstetrics, surgery or assist in surgical procedures:

                              Class 1…..$   920          Class 3….$3,680

                              Class 2…..$1,656          Class 4….$6,075

        (f)  For a physician for whom this state is not a principal place of practice:

                              Class 1…..$  767           Class 3….$3,068

                              Class 2…..$1,380          Class 4….$5,063

        (g)  For a nurse anesthetist for whom this state is a principal place of practice:                                                                                          $  376

        (h)  For a nurse anesthetist for whom this state is not a principal place of practice:……………………………………………………………………………………………$  188

        (i)  For a hospital, all of the following fees:

        1.  Per occupied bed………………………………………………………………………$    92

    2.  Per 100 outpatient visits during the last calendar year for which totals are available:………………………………………………………………………………………….$  4.63

        (j)  For a nursing home, as described under s. 655.002 (1) (j), Stats., that is wholly owned and operated by a hospital and that has health care liability insurance separate from that of the hospital by which it is owned and operated:

        Per occupied bed……………………………………………………………………….…..$   19

        (k)  For a partnership comprised of physicians or nurse anesthetists, organized for the primary purpose of providing the medical services of physicians or nurse anesthetists, all of the following fees:

        1.  a.  If the total number of partners and employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 2 to 10……………………………………………………………………$   54

              b.  If the total number of partners and employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 11 to 100………………………………………………………………..$  529

               c.  If the total number of partners and employed physicians and nurse anesthetists exceeds 100……………………………………………………..………………$1,318

        2.  The following fee for each full-time equivalent allied health care professional employed by the partnership as of the most recent completed survey submitted:

     

        Employed Health Care Professionals                                                            Fund Fee

        Nurse Practitioners…………………………………………………………………..….$   383

        Advanced Nurse Practitioners…………………………………………………..…………537

        Nurse Midwives…………………………………………………………..…………………3,375

        Advanced Nurse Midwives……………………………………………..…………………3,527      

        Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers ………………………………………..…………..537     

        Chiropractors…………………………………………………………………………..……...613

        Dentists…………………………………………………………………………………..……..307

        Oral Surgeons…………………………………………………………………..…………..2,302

        Podiatrists-Surgical…………………………………………………………………..……6,519

        Optometrists…………………………………………………………………..……………….307

        Physician Assistants……………………………………………………………………..…..307

        (L)  For a corporation, including a service corporation, with more than one shareholder organized under ch. 180, Stats., for the primary purpose of providing the medical services of physicians or nurse anesthetists, all of the following fees:

        1.  a.  If the total number of shareholders and employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 2 to 10……………………………………………………………...…….$   54

              b.  If the total number of shareholders and employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 11 to 100…………………………………………………………..……$  529

              c.  If the total number of shareholders and employed physicians or nurse anesthetists exceeds 100……………………………………………………….…………….$1,318

        2.  The following fee for each full-time equivalent allied health care professional employed by the corporation as of the most recent completed survey submitted:

    Employed Health Care Professionals                                                       Fund Fee

        Nurse Practitioners……………………………………………………………………….$   383

        Advanced Nurse Practitioners……………………………………..………………………537

        Nurse Midwives………………………………………………..……………………………3,375

        Advanced Nurse Midwives…………………………………………..……………………3,527      

        Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers ……………………………………………..…… 537         Chiropractors……………………………………………………………………..…………...613

        Dentists………………………………………………………………………..………………..307

        Oral Surgeons……………………………………………………………..………………..2,302

        Podiatrists-Surgical……………………………………………………………..…………6,519

        Optometrists………………………………………………………………………..………….307

        Physician Assistants………………………………………………………..………………..307

        (m)  For a corporation organized under ch. 181, Stats., for the primary purpose of providing the medical services of physicians or nurse anesthetists, all of the following fees:

        1.  a.  If the total number of employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 1 to 10……………………………………………………………..……………………………….$    54

             b.  If the total number of employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 11 to 100…………………………………………………………………………………………..$  529

             c.  If the total number of employed physicians or nurse anesthetists exceeds 100………………………………………………………………………………………..……….$1,318

        2.  The following fee for each full-time equivalent allied health care professional employed by the corporation as of the most recent completed survey submitted:

    Employed Health Care Professionals                                                       Fund Fee

        Nurse Practitioners …………………………………………………………………….$   383

        Advanced Nurse Practitioners…………………………………………………………..…537

        Nurse Midwives…………………………………………………………………………..…3,375

        Advanced Nurse Midwives…………………………………………………………..……3,527      

        Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers ………………………………………………..…..537     

        Chiropractors……………………………………………………………………………..…...613

        Dentists……………………………………………………………………………………..…..307

        Oral Surgeons………………………………………………………………………..……..2,302

        Podiatrists-Surgical…………………………………………………..……………………6,519

        Optometrists…………………………………………………………………………….…….307

        Physician Assistants ………………………………………………………………………..307

        (n)  For an operational cooperative sickness care plan as described under s. 655.002 (1) (f), Stats., all of the following fees:

        1.  Per 100 outpatient visits during the last calendar year for which totals are available…………………………………………………………………………….………………$0.12

        2.  3.4% of the total annual fees assessed against all of the employed physicians.

        3.  The following fee for each full-time equivalent allied health care professional employed by the operational cooperative sickness plan as of the most recent completed survey submitted:

    Employed Health Care Professionals                                                       Fund Fee

        Nurse Practitioners……………………………………………………………………….$   383

        Advanced Nurse Practitioners…………………………………………………………..…537

        Nurse Midwives………………………………………………………………………..……3,375

        Advanced Nurse Midwives…………………………………………………..……………3,527      

        Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers ………………………………………..…………..537     

        Chiropractors……………………………………………………………………..…………...613

        Dentists……………………………………………………………………………………..…..307

        Oral Surgeons………………………………………………………………………..……..2,302

        Podiatrists-Surgical………………………………………………………………..………6,519

        Optometrists………………………………………………………………………….……….307

        Physician Assistants……………………………………………………….………………..307

        (o)  For a freestanding ambulatory surgery center, as defined in s. DHS 120.03 (13), per 100 outpatient visits during the last calendar year for which totals are available:………………………………………………………………………………………….$23.93

        (p)  For an entity affiliated with a hospital, the greater of $100 or whichever of the following applies:

        1.  7.9% of the amount the entity pays as premium for its primary health care liability insurance, if it has occurrence coverage.

        2.  11.55% of the amount the entity pays as premium for its primary health care liability insurance, if it has claims-made coverage.

        (q)  For an organization or enterprise not specified as a partnership or corporation that is organized and operated in this state for the primary purpose of providing the medical services of physicians or nurse anesthetists, all of the following fees:

        1.  a.  If the total number of employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 1 to 10………………………………………………………………………………...…………   $   54

        b. If the total number of employed physicians and nurse anesthetists is from 11 to 100……………………………………………………………………………………………...$   529

        c.  If the total number of employed physicians or nurse anesthetists exceeds

    100………………………………………………………………………………………………$1,318

        2. The following for each full-time equivalent allied health care professional employed by the organization or enterprise not specified as a partnership, corporation, or an operational cooperative health care plan as of the most recent completed survey submitted:

    Employed Health Care Professionals                                                      Fund Fee

        Nurse Practitioners……………………………………………………………………….$   383

        Advanced Nurse Practitioners…………………………………………..…………………537

        Nurse Midwives………………………………………………………………..……………3,375

        Advanced Nurse Midwives………………………………………………………..………3,527      

        Advanced Practice Nurse Prescribers ………………………………………..…………..537     

        Chiropractors………………………………………………………………………..………...613

        Dentists…………………………………………………………………………..……………..307

        Oral Surgeons………………………………………………………………..……………..2,302

        Podiatrists-Surgical……………………………………………………………..…………6,519

        Optometrists………………………………………………………………………….……….307

        Physician Assistants………………………………………………………………..………..307

     

    SECTION 3. This section may be enforced under s. Ins 17.01 (2) (d) and (e).

     

    SECTION 4. These changes will take effect on upon publication as provided in s. 227.24 (1) (c), Wis. Stats.

     

     

    Dated at Madison, Wisconsin, this  11th  day of   June , 2012.

     

     

     

                                                             /s/ Theodore K. Nickel

                                                           Theodore K. Nickel

                                                           Commissioner of Insurance

     

     

     

    STATE OF WISCONSIN

    DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION

    DOA-2049 (C04/2011)

                    Division of Executive Budget and Finance

    101 East Wilson Street, 10th Floor

    P.O. Box 7864

    Madison, WI  53707-7864

    FAX: (608) 267-0372

     

    ADMINISTRATIVE RULES – FISCAL ESTIMATE

     

    1.    Fiscal Estimate Version

     

     

     

     

           Original     Updated     Corrected

     

     

    2.    Administrative Rule Chapter Title and Number

         INS 1728

     

    3.    Subject

          Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund Annual Fund Fees and Mediation Panel Fees for fiscal year 2013 and affecting small business

     

    4.   State Fiscal Effect:   

     

      No Fiscal Effect

     

     Indeterminate

     

     Increase Existing Revenues

     

     Decrease Existing Revenues

      Increase Costs

          Yes      No    May be possible to absorb

                                          within agency’s  budget.

      Decrease Costs

     

    5.   Fund Sources Affected:

     GPR         FED       PRO      PRS     SEG      SEG-S

    6.   Affected Ch. 20, Stats. Appropriations:

    None

     

    7.    Local Government Fiscal Effect:

     

     No Fiscal Effect

     

     Indeterminate

     Increase Revenues

     

     Decrease Revenues

     Increase Costs

     

     Decrease Costs

     

    8.  Local Government Units Affected:

     Towns      Villages     Cities     Counties     School Districts    WTCS Districts  Others: None

     

    9.   Private Sector Fiscal Effect (small businesses only):

     

     No Fiscal Effect

     

     Indeterminate

     

     

     Increase Revenues

     

     Decrease Revenues

     

          Yes     No       May have significant

                                            economic impact on a

                                            substantial number of 

                                            small businesses

     Increase Costs

     

          Yes    No    May have significant

                                        economic impact on a

                                        substantial number of

                                        small businesses

     

     Decrease Costs

     

    10.  Types of Small Businesses Affected:

     

    Small businesses that employ physicians or other health care professionals.

     

    11.  Fiscal Analysis Summary

     

    No significant impact.  Slight increase in fund fees and decrease in medical mediation fees.

     

    12. Long-Range Fiscal Implications

     

    None

     

    13.  Name - Prepared by

    Julie E. Walsh

    Telephone Number

    (608) 264-8101

    Date

    June 8, 2012

     

    14.  Name – Analyst Reviewer

         

    Telephone Number

         

    Date

         

     

    Signature—Secretary or Designee

     

    Telephone Number

         

    Date

         

     

     

     

     

     


    Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

    Private Sector Fiscal Analysis

     

    Section Ins 17.28 relating to Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund Annual Fund Fees and Mediation Panel Fees for fiscal year 2013 and affecting small business

     

     

    This proposed rule change will have no significant effect on the private sector.