New coverage provisions for WPS Health Insurance and Arise Health Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

New coverage provisions for WPS Health Insurance and Arise Health Plan

MADISON, Wis.—July 28, 2020—WPS Health Insurance and Arise Health Plan are adding new coverage provisions for customers in selected health plans, including some related to COVID-19.

“We realize that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present significant challenges for health care consumers. The new coverage provisions we are announcing today are intended to provide some financial relief for our customers. We want to assist our customers in achieving good health outcomes by making it easier for them to receive the care they need,” says Jim Baird, Executive Vice President of WPS Health Insurance.

Here is a summary of the new coverage:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Generic drugs used to treat depression are added to the $0 preventive drug list effective July 1, 2020.

• HIV PrEP: Specific HIV preventive drugs, such as Truvada, are added to the $0 preventive drug list effective July 1, 2020.

• Insulin $25 cap: Starting at your renewal date on or after Oct. 1, 2020, the maximum you will pay for insulin is $25. The insulin program is not part of the insurance policy and is offered at no additional charge. Enrollment in this program is subject to contract renewal.

• Telehealth related to COVID-19 testing: Services have 0% cost sharing through March 13, 2021.

• COVID-19 antibody testing: Physician-ordered in vitro diagnostic testing for COVID-19, including antibody testing, is now covered with 0% cost sharing through March 13, 2021.

• Coverage for furloughed employees: The work exception for group health plans is extended to Aug. 31, 2020.

• Prior authorization: Requirements are waived for COVID-19 laboratory tests and treatment through Dec. 31, 2020.

Note: Self-funded group health plans have the option to select these benefits except for HIV PrEP, which is a mandated benefit. Those enrolled under a self-funded employer plan should check with their group leader to see if these benefits are covered. Group leaders with questions may contact their WPS Health Insurance or Arise Health Plan account manager.

For more information about COVID-19, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit these pages for WPS Health Insurance and Arise Health Plan.

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Eppstein Uhen Architects: Free Address as an Unexpected Workplace Strategy in a Post COVID-19 World

Change is the only constant, so prepare to be nimble

Sharing a work setting seems counter-intuitive when thinking about spreading germs, after all this “Safer at Home” period has increased our digital sharing but frowns on physical sharing. When we finally return to work, the workplace precautions around spreading germs will be a priority. This will focus on cleanliness and physical distancing (also staying home if you are sick). 

At the same time, with companies forced to have employees work from home for extended periods of time, employees naturally get better and more comfortable at working this way. This could fundamentally shift the percentage of time we spend in the office. The inherent positives of working from home (less germs, flexible hours, easy commute, better focus time (for some), pets, neighborhood walks and so on), will continue to be a draw to work from home more often. That may mean more empty desks at the office. And with many companies feeling financial strain due to the current economy or the need to increase social distancing for those who do come in, a free address model (in part or in full) could help reduce costs or at the very least, allow more space between seats. It can also setup an organization to react nimbly in an ever-changing world.

Based on designing numerous Free Address workplaces and having personally worked in one, the three most common reasons I see for Free Address are to: Reduce Real Estate Costs, Provide Work Setting Choice and Flexibility to Change Quickly. And now, changes to the workplace due to prevent the spread of disease could become another reason. Here is how it could work.

Cleanliness: How often do you clean your current assigned desk? My guess is that most of us can’t even remember. With all the stuff on your desk (computer, keyboard, mouse, headset/phone, papers, mugs, photos, documents, snacks, etc.) it’s hard to clean. One of the perks of a Free Address seat is the clean desk policy, a standard rule for any Free Address workplace. At the end of your use the desk needs to be clear. One advantage of a clear desk: it’s quick and easy to sanitize. Nightly cleaning crews that previously only vacuumed, cleaned bathrooms and emptied trash can expand their services to include disinfecting desks and chairs. That way every morning, desks and surrounding areas will be disinfected and ready to use for whomever comes into the office.

Some clean considerations for Free Address desk sharing:

• Avoid sharing keyboards, mice and headsets by providing each employee his/her own. At the end of each day these items go with the employee to their assigned storage locker, or in their bag to work from home.
• Provide cleaning wipes and sprays for employees to use in addition to the nightly cleaning. Allowing employees to clean the spaces and items they want will ease their stress while making the space even cleaner.
• If one person uses a desk for any portion of the day it should be considered unavailable until the next morning until sanitized overnight. A simple sticker or post-it can indicate which desk was sanitized and when.

Physical Distancing: Individual work setting sizes have been steadily decreasing, bringing teams closer together, to increase communication and save on real estate costs. Now the focus has shifted to distancing employees to stop the spread of germs. With free address seats, we can ensure work settings are correctly spaced out versus with traditional assigned seating where employees that come in on any given day may have assigned seats that are too close. At the same time there might be an empty row or zone somewhere else in the office that could have been used. With Free Address seating, employees can choose to sit at safe distances. If current desk locations are too dense, every other desk can be set as available. As we transition back to the office, some companies might choose to have rotating days when certain teams or departments are in the office (to reduce overall in-office staff per day); Free Address seating can easily accommodate those shifts, while allowing each group to be correctly spaced out.

Being Nimble: No one knows exactly what the post COVID-19 workplace will look like with shifting government/industry guidelines, employees’ varying levels of anxiety and unknown changes to the business environment. What organizations can do is ensure they are setup to be nimble. The common phrase ‘Change is the only constant’ is even more important with such an unknown future. A Free Address workplace is formatted for change. An employee in a Free Address workplace is familiar with working in different settings. If an office needs to expand, reduce, move, spread out, change department locations, temporarily move for construction, etc., a Free Address staff can easily flow with those disruptions. This allow organizations to quickly shift for the betterment of its employees and business. 

When considering a Free Address workplace, the emphasis should always be on “Free.” For many, the freedom to choose your work setting was already a perk even before this COVID-19 era, whether that was for focus, team or collaborative work. Top companies realized that trusting and empowering their employees on how and where they work increases engagement and empowers employees to do their best work. I believe that the freedom to choose to work from home in some capacity will continue after workplaces open again. While Free Address work settings might initially seem counter to the spread of viruses, with the right protocols its benefits for easy cleaning and physical distancing can help companies be nimble with a returning workforce in an ever-changing world. A Free Address workplace could be an unexpected strategy.

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Workplace strategies are unique to each business and office culture. There is no one-size-fits all solution. That is why EUA asks questions of our clients, studies their environment and aligns with a company’s vision and goals before we agree on a workplace solution. Free Address is not the right answer for every client. We can help craft a strategy that will help each client specifically.  

Per Mar Security Services Ranked #22 in SDM’s 2020 Top Systems Integrators Report

Contact:
Cassondra Billingsley, Per Mar Security Services, 563-549-6635

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2020

Per Mar Security Services Ranked #22 in SDM’s 2020 Top Systems Integrators Report

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security Services, a leading provider of total security solutions for residential and commercial clients based in Davenport, IA, is ranked 22nd in SDM’s 2020 Top Systems Integrators Report. The top 5 market segments contributing to Per Mar’s 2019 security system integration revenue were retail, industrial, health, corporate, and education.

Chris Edwards, President of Per Mar’s Electronic Security Division, said, “We are honored that Per Mar made this list again this year. On the heels of being ranked in the Top 20 for alarm system companies, the fact that we also made the integrator list shows the innovation and flexibility the team has created to further our support and service to our customers.”

The SDM Top Systems Integrators Report ranks 100 companies by their revenue in 2019 from their security system integration revenue. Integration includes solutions such as design, project management, product, installation, programming, start-up, training and time-and-materials-based service sold directly to an end-user customer or through a tier of contractors. This includes revenue related to security, such as: access control, ID/badging, video surveillance/analytics, intrusion alarms, perimeter security, electronic gate entry, intercom/communications, fire protection, IT/networks, etc. It does not include recurring monthly revenue (RMR), as that is counted towards ranking on the SDM 100 (www.SDMmag.com/SDM100Report).

About Per Mar Security Services

Established in 1953, Per Mar Security Services is the largest, family-owned, full-service security company in the Midwest with more than 2,400 team members, operating in 23 branch locations. The company provides full-service security solutions for homes and businesses including security officer services, smart home automation, burglar and fire alarms, access control, security cameras, alarm monitoring, investigative services and background checks. For more information about Per Mar Security Services, please visit permarsecurity.com.

Broadjam: MAMA Cares Musician Relief Fund

Emergency funding for Madison-area performing musicians impacted by loss of income due to COVID-19

Musicians in the Madison area and across the country were some of the first and hardest hit as COVID-19 swept in with social distancing and caused the cancellations of thousands of gigs for area freelance artists. We all feel the anxiety caused by the difficult conditions and uncertainty about the gradual and ongoing move to a “new normal” in the current and post-pandemic era.  

As summer arrives and event and performance cancellations continue and escalate, the MAMA Cares COVID-19 Relief Fund has been created to provide temporary financial assistance to members in need. The initial fundraising goal for the fund is $250,000.

The Fund will provide monetary awards to self-employed and independent contractor musicians living in the Madison region who are losing work and wages due to COVID-19. Awards will be made based on applications received and resources available.  Applications will identify those most in need with preference to the unemployed. Eligibility for funds will follow the Madison Area Music Association eligibility rules.

We know that the need will be greater than the resources available, but this effort will demonstrate how much Madison values musicians’ well-being and looks forward to enjoying local music at our favorite bars, festivals, and outdoor venues as the pandemic eases. 

APPLY FOR FUNDS HERE: www.themamas.org

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM ON SATURDAY JULY 25, 2020.  We anticipate transferring funds to awardees by August 31, 2020. 

We need your help to serve as many musicians as possible. MAKE A DONATION HERE: 

• through PayPal: MAMACARES@THEMAMAS.ORG
• Send donations by mail:

MAMA Cares Musician Relief Fund

P.O. Box 8754

Madison, WI 53708

MAMA CARES MUSICIAN RELIEF FUND is an independent program under the fiscal sponsorship of the Madison Area Music Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered with the State of Wisconsin and the IRS. Partners in this effort include Broadjam, Inc., City of Madison Arts Commission, and Arts Wisconsin.  All donations are eligible for tax deduction.

Timeline

Now to June 28 – Build community partnerships

June 28 – Public announcement and start of run-up to Online Day of Giving

July 16-21 – Online Day of Giving Thursday, July 16

Mid-to-End of August – Funds Distribution 

Old National Opens New East Towne Branch, $500 Donation and $1,000 Give Away Planned

Madison, Wis. (July 8) – After more than a year of construction, Old National Bank (ONB) has opened their doors on a new bank branch at 4708 East Towne Boulevard in Madison. The newly renovated space is 3,250 square feet and has a new tandem-style drive-up.

The Banking Center utilizes a new concierge model of banking. In the concierge model, each representative in the branch assists the client with their needs from start to finish rather than moving from teller to specialist to loan officer. There is an ATM on-site and computers for individuals who prefer to be self-directed. The branch has an open concept design that is intended to be more interactive and provide the technology experiences consumers seek. The former bank branch was razed and a new one was built on the same site.

As part of the grand opening celebration, a $500 donation was made to the East Madison Community Center (EMCC) in honor of the new location. Branch staff regularly volunteer at the EMCC Food Pantry.

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