Advocacy Update
If you would like to testify in a committee hearing meeting on a healthcare bill next week, here's how.
The Wyoming Legislature is opening the door to public testimony on committee bills. The WMS Bill Tracker has a listing of all bills the medical society is monitoring.

Protocol for attending a virtual committee meeting
  • All virtual committee meetings can be viewed on the Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube channel. You may access the Legislature’s YouTube channel here or by going to www.youtube.com and searching “Wyoming Legislature.”
  • You can register to participate in the Zoom meeting for each committee by clicking the “testify” button provided for each committee meeting on the Legislature’s Calendar page. Those not wishing to offer testimony are encouraged to watch via the Legislature's YouTube channel due to the limited number of people who may be in the Zoom meeting.
  • If you would like to address the committee in the Zoom meeting, use the “raise hand” function at the appropriate time when the chairman calls for public comment. Staff will then modify your attendee's credential at which point you will need to have video turned on and microphone unmuted. Following testimony, staff will modify your attendee's credentials again.
WMS bills being debated/reviewed next week:

An * indicates if time permits

TUESDAY, Feb. 23
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
SF0033 Physician assistants amendments. (WMS: Neutral)
SF0030 Pandemic response review task force. (WMS: Monitor)
SF0046 Air ambulance memberships-regulation and disclosures. (WMS: Monitor)

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
HB0007 Air ambulance membership organizations-regulation. (WMS: Monitor)

Labor, Health & Social Services
SF0034 Born alive infant-means of care. (WMS: Neutral)
SF0047 Clinical laboratory regulation-direct to consumer exception.* (WMS: Monitor, Support if amended for specificity)
SF0080 Public health orders-local and legislative oversight. * (WMS: Oppose)

Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
HB0039 Optometrist practice act amendments. (WMS: Oppose until amended, monitor if amended)

Judiciary
SF0090 Hemp prohibitions and requirements. (WMS: Monitor)

THURSDAY, Feb. 25
Appropriations
HB0087 Provider recruitment grant program-repeal. * (WMS: Oppose)


If you would like to testify on any of these bills, please visit the LSO Calendar page, select the date, and then click TESTIFY on the right side of the page.
CMS Update
CMS needs your help in providing patients with information about insurance coverage and vaccine distribution during COVID-19.
With the COVID-19 national emergency, many people are facing unprecedented challenges. Some have lost their jobs, and have lost health insurance coverage for themselves and their families. Others may be underinsured with unaffordable health coverage, or may have health insurance, but aren’t sure how to access the services that they need for their health problems.

With these uncertainties, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are key players who can help link community members to valuable resources, including how and where to obtain health insurance. CBOs also play a major role in educating community members about COVID-19 vaccines, raising awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and addressing common questions and concerns. As many communities are waiting for their turn to get the vaccine, CBOs can encourage them to take the time to consider their health insurance coverage.

CMS Resources for Partners:

Please share these resources with patients at every opportunity!
COVID-19 Immunization Data
Click image to view full sized PDF.
To view the latest COVID-19 vaccine information in WY visit the Wyoming Department of Health's Provider Information Page.

Here you will find:
  • Vaccine program provider enrollment
  • Required training for COVID-19 vaccine coordinators
  • COVID-19 vaccine resources and information
  • COVID-19 vaccination program templates and forms
  • CDC's V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker
  • Wyoming Immunization Registry (WyIR) Resources
UW Student Research - SURVEY
My name is Liam Guille and I am a student researcher at the University of Wyoming studying access to genetic healthcare in Wyoming. I am interested in understanding how practitioners in Wyoming utilize genetic testing and potential ways to better support professionals as demand for genetic services increases. As part of this effort, I have designed a 10-minute survey with the goal of understanding practitioner and patient needs regarding genetic testing and counseling.

Liam Guille
University of Wyoming
Molecular Biology & Physiology
Learning Assistant, UW Science Initiative Community Outreach
Intern Advocate, Albany County SAFE Project
 
Project Firstline
WMS has partnered with the Wyoming Chapter of the AAP to bring the CDC's Project Firstline to Wyoming.
Reminder: WMS Online Learning Calendar
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have taken important steps to deliver timely accommodations to providers and customers, helping to ensure that customers have continued access to COVID-19 screening, testing, and treatment in safe settings.
Accordingly, to align with the recent extension of the federal public health emergency (PHE) period, we are again extending the cost-share waiver for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services through April 20, 2021.
Getting the latest information
We updated our dedicated COVID-19 provider web page on January 20, 2021 to highlight the latest information on the cost-share waiver extension for testing as well as other key topics, including:
  • New covered diagnosis codes
  • Additional frequently asked questions related to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Guidance for appropriately billing a specimen collection code

Virtual care
As a reminder, we implemented a new Virtual Care Reimbursement Policy on January 1, 2021 for commercial medical services. This new policy ensures you can continue to offer many virtual care services to your patients and receive reimbursement at face-to-face rates. Please visit CignaforHCP.com/virtualcare for more information about our new policy. We also continue to make a number of additional accommodations for virtual care through the PHE, as outlined in the virtual care frequently asked questions section on our COVID-19 provider web page.
Thank you again for the quality care you provide and for all that you're doing to help our customers.
Thank you 2021 Friends of WMS!
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