Outcomes looking good for WPS midway through Depression Screening Innovation Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Outcomes looking good for WPS midway through Depression Screening Innovation Challenge

MADISON, Wis.—May 23, 2023—At WPS Health Solutions, the company’s WPS Government Health Administrators division has reached the halfway point in its 12-month Depression Screening Innovation Challenge Grant project issued by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Midway through the project, the outcomes of the division’s efforts look promising. 

In November 2019, CMS issued a challenge to Medicare Administrative Contractors. WPS accepted the challenge and is now in its third year of working toward increasing the use of chronic care management and depression screening for Medicare beneficiaries in Medicare Jurisdictions 5 and 8. Based upon success in years one and two, WPS added combating health inequities to the project’s scope.    

The Innovation Challenge project team is led by the WPS Government Health Administrators Medical Director, Dr. Joelle Vlahakis. Her team includes data analysts, educators, billing specialists, and a population health specialist.  

“Innovation requires the willingness to recognize when an idea needs to be altered or abandoned in favor of a better idea, and we are up for the challenge,” Vlahakis said. “Our priorities align with CMS’ priorities, and we have a special interest in areas where health care disparities are high.”  

The company’s efforts in the first and second years of the depression screening pilot were successful, and WPS saw a 13% increase in screening in Jurisdiction 8 in the first year alone. Increased depression screening appears to have lowered the rate of suicide attempts in both jurisdictions in the project’s first two years.  

“When patients enroll in chronic care management, their care is focused on what makes their life better. Care is less fragmented and dependent upon the use of emergency rooms or hospital stays. And providers of the care report that they can spend more time seeing patients face to face and less time managing crises,” Vlahakis said. 

Building on its success, WPS is using the Area Deprivation Index—a measure for the theoretical domains of income, education, employment, and housing quality—to combat health inequities in Jurisdiction 8. The ADI and beneficiaries’ ages are potent predictors of the risk of depression. ADI has been the foundation for WPS identifying places where social determinants of health are most likely to contribute to health inequities. 

“Our project team has found that connecting with organizations, societies, and other large groups has been productive and instructive. Aligning ourselves with such stakeholders, especially those whose purpose is to address the social drivers of health, has been especially compelling and useful. What we did not expect is that our one-on-one conversations with individual providers, clinicians, administrators, or even beneficiaries would also shape our approach to the project,” Vlahakis explained. 

The Innovation Challenge core work group is divided into two smaller groups. One work group focuses on the data and its analysis, and the other on educational outreach.   

Through WPS’ Provider Outreach and Education Department, the team educates practitioners, clinicians, and their support teams through webinars, a YouTube channel, and in-person events. Audiences vary (support staff, clinical staff, and providers, for example), and discussions are tailored to the skills demanded of each role. The team has worked to create a platform for high-quality education that is simple and accessible.  

Data analysis is another driving force in what WPS is accomplishing. Employees are examining and targeting their efforts based on three major points of data: 

1. Health care providers with a low utilization rate of depression screening  
2. Health care providers with the greatest number of beneficiaries in their jurisdiction  
3. An ADI score that falls greater than the 70th percentile where the risk of depression is highest 

WPS reported the following for Jurisdiction 8:  

• Based on 2021 data, WPS has established an average monthly goal of 7,341 depression screening claims. According to Medicare claims data from September 2022 to February 2023, WPS averaged 7,641 claims per month, which is 300 claims above the goal and is a 9% increase from 2021. 
• To analyze the efficacy of the educational intervention program on the most at-risk Medicare beneficiaries, WPS is tracking the primary benchmark of a 2.5% increase in depression screening claim count for beneficiaries who live in the most at-risk neighborhoods. Based on 2021 data, WPS has established an average monthly goal of 2,444 depression screening claims. In the second quarter of year three, WPS averaged 2,366 claims per month, which is 78 claims below the goal and a 1% decrease from 2021.  
• To analyze the downstream impacts of its educational intervention program, WPS is tracking the primary benchmark of a 5% reduction in the number of claims featuring a suicide attempt diagnosis. Based on 2021 data, WPS established a monthly goal of 82 claims featuring a suicide attempt. In the second quarter of year three, WPS averaged 51 claims per month, which is 31 claims beyond the goal and equates to a 41% decrease from 2021. 

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,600 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

About WPS Government Health Administrators^®

As a large contractor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, WPS Government Health Administrators, a division of Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation, manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for more than 7 million seniors in multiple states.

WPS Government Health Administrators is headquartered in Madison, Wis. Visit the WPS Health Solutions About page for more information.

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Kraus-Anderson completes Kia Subaru renovation in Janesville, Wis.

JANESVILLE, Wis. (May 2023) – The Madison office of Kraus-Anderson (KA) has completed the renovation of Janesville Kia and Janesville Subaru located at 3301 North Pontiac Dr. in Janesville, Wis.  The dealerships are owned by Janesville-based Home Run Auto Group.

Designed by R.B. Custom Designs, the $1.76 million, 7,485-square-foot project renovated an existing, abandoned motorcycle storage building into a car wash and auto detailing center.  The new building offers two car wash bays, two detailing bays, a photo booth room, undercoating bay and a new surface lot for overflow parking for both Kia and Subaru dealerships.

KA constructed the Janesville Kia and Janesville Subaru in 2016, and has built several other dealerships for Home Run Auto Group, including Kenosha Subaru in Bristol, Wis., and Racine Honda and Racine Hyundai in Mount Pleasant, Wis.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson (www.krausanderson.com) is an integrated construction management and real estate development enterprise working independently and in collaboration with a family of companies, including insurance, mortgage and realty operations. Kraus-Anderson, an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.

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Johnson and Phelps to join Jeter at AmFam Championship

Former Masters, British Open champion and Olympian to participate in celebrity foursome hosted by Andy North

Two-time major winner and 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson and Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, will join baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter in this year’s AmFam Champ Celebrity Foursome hosted by Andy North.

The Celebrity Foursome is a fan favorite at the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship, which begins Friday, June 9 at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison. Following the final grouping of tournament play on Saturday, June 10, the celebrities will play a 9-hole exhibition for charity starting on the 10th hole. The expected tee time is 2 p.m.

“We’re very excited to welcome Zach and Michael to this year’s Celebrity Foursome,” said North, the Wisconsin native who continues to give back to the Madison community through his charitable work. “When you talk about athletes who have competed and won at the highest levels of sport, you know they’ll be ready to play.”

Johnson, who this fall will lead the U.S. team to Rome, Italy, for the Ryder Cup, has 12 career wins, including the 2007 Masters title and 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews, which he won in a 4-hole playoff. He is only the sixth golfer to win majors at Augusta and St. Andrews. A touring professional since 1998, he has played in five Ryder Cups and four Presidents Cups.

Phelps, an avid golfer who has participated in several Pro-Ams including the Ryder Cup, Waste Management Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest athletes. He holds 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. In 2008, he established the Michael Phelps Foundation to promote water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams, especially for children. The Foundation has provided learn-to-swim, healthy living (emotional and physical), and goal-setting programming to more than 250,000 children and young adults around the world through strategic partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Special Olympics International and the Level Field Fund. The Michael Phelps Foundation will host an inaugural fundraiser on September 18 in Scottsdale, Arizona, Tee it Up.

North, a two-time U.S. Open champion (1978, 1985) with over 600 career starts on tour, will be hosting the celebrity foursome event for the fifth time. Derek Jeter, an American Family brand ambassador who was a 14-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion for the New York Yankees, will be playing in the group a fourth time.

Tournament ticket information

Tickets for the American Family Insurance Championship are available for purchase at amfamchampionship.com. Tickets, which can be used for any one day of the tournament, and prices include:

• Adult general admission ticket: $25
• Champions ticket (age 50 years or older): $15
• Youth general admission ticket (with paid adult): Free
• Active duty, reserve and retired military personnel ticket: Free
• First responder ticket: Free

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About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA TOUR player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised nearly $15 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2023 championship will be held June 3-11 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship. #AmFamChamp

About PGA TOUR Champions 

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, on Facebook, on Twitter (@ChampionsTour), on Instagram (@pgatourchampions) and on TikTok (pgatourchampions).

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.

Wisconsin Union: Lake-Facing Concert Lakefront Live to Return as Three-Even Series as Part of Season of Free, Live Music at Memorial Union Terrace

For the second year, a unique free summer concert experience will return to Madison – this time, as a triple concert series. The Memorial Union Terrace series, Lakefront Live, features live band performances from the UW Credit Union Terrace Stage played facing Lake Mendota to be enjoyed by audience members on paddle and watercraft. 

Hosted by the Wisconsin Union’s Outdoor UW, the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee and the Hoofer Outing Club, Lakefront Live will take place on the Terrace June 8 at 7 p.m., featuring Birddog Blues Band; July 6 at 7 p.m., featuring country and blues band The Grouvin Brothers; and Aug. 10 at 7 p.m., featuring bluegrass group Cork n’ Bottle String Band.

“Lakefront Live is back again this year, and it’s better than ever with not one, but three outstanding free performances throughout the summer,” said Sean Michael Dargan, Wisconsin Union Directorate advisor. “We are excited to give Madison even more opportunities to come join us and celebrate our community’s incredible music scene and outdoor views!”

Concertgoers can rent single or double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards – including an eight-person stand-up paddleboard called the SUPSquatch – or canoes from Outdoor UW to savor the music from the water. Each person must make a reservation – for $16 – to secure one spot on an Outdoor UW paddlecraft for the entirety of the event (6-9 p.m.). 

The Outdoor UW team encourages patrons interested in a specific rental paddlecraft to arrive early, as patrons with reservations will receive a spot on a craft on a first come, first served basis. Renters may arrive starting at 3 p.m., and all members of a party must be present to select their shared craft. Guests can make online reservations and read reservation details at members.hoofers.org/event/91578 (June 8), members.hoofers.org/event/91579 (July 6) and members.hoofers.org/event/91580 (Aug. 10).

Additionally, the Hoofer Outing Club will offer free canoe rentals on a first come, first served basis to individuals 18 and older.

The presence or consumption of alcohol/drugs is not permitted on Outdoor UW or Wisconsin Hoofers watercraft. Individuals who are believed to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs will not be allowed to board a craft.

Those with their own watercraft may paddle over to enjoy the concert as well. The concert can also be enjoyed from the Memorial Union Terrace, where audience members can savor dishes from Memorial Union’s many dining options and take in the show.

If there are inclement lake conditions on the day of an event, Outdoor UW will refund rentals, and water outings will be canceled, with Lakefront Live transitioning to a Terrace-facing event. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor rentals will be refunded, and the concert will occur inside Memorial Union at der Rathskeller. Details of this series are subject to change. The Wisconsin Union team aims to announce any unanticipated changes to the series by 4 p.m. on the day of each concert. 

With four nights of live music each week on the Terrace, Lakefront Live is one of the many live music events held at the outdoor dining and entertainment destination this summer. Other performances include:

• Every Wednesday, starting on May 17 – Open Mic at 7 p.m.
• May 18 – Johnny Chimes & Natch’l Blues Band at 7 p.m.
• May 19 – The Emmylous at 4 p.m., Bascom Hill at 7 p.m., The Mascot Theory at 8 p.m.
• May 20 – The Hails at 7 p.m., The Moss at 8 p.m.
• May 25 – Gin Mill Hollow at 7 p.m.
• May 26 – Christo’s Novelty Combo at 4 p.m., The Courts at 7 p.m., Oruã at 8 p.m., Soft and Dumb at 9 p.m.
• May 27 – Eric Ryan-Johnson at 7 p.m., After August at 8 p.m.
• June 1 – Mad City Jug Band at 7 p.m.
• June 2 – Stephanie Rearick at 4 p.m., Carrellee at 7 p.m., Stranger Gallery at 8 p.m., The Quilz at 9 p.m.
• June 3 – Pat McCurdy at 7 p.m.
• June 9 – Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets at 4 p.m., The Whiskey Farm at 7 p.m.
• June 10 – Rare Element at 7 p.m.
• June 15 – John Elliott at 7 p.m., The Also-Rans at 8 p.m.
• June 16 – Arielle Silver Duo at 4 p.m., DJay Mando at 7 p.m.
• June 17 – Madison Jazz Festival at 7 p.m.
• June 18 – Madison Jazz Festival: Juneteenth Celebration at 7 p.m.
• June 22 – Frank Martin Busch and the Names at 7 p.m.
• June 23 – Marc Stone at 4 p.m., Josh Harty Duo at 7 p.m., Thompson Springs at 8 p.m.
• June 24 – Buffalo Nichols at 8 p.m.
• June 29 – No Name String Band at 7 p.m.
• June 30 – Mike Cammilleri Organ Trio at 4 p.m., The Sandblasters at 7 p.m., Jason Vargas and the Apollos at 8 p.m., Zeroed Hero at 9 p.m.
• July 1 – Middle Names at 7 p.m., Brett Newski at 8 p.m.
• July 7 – Bill Roberts Combo at 4 p.m., East of Vilas at 7 p.m., Wurk at 8 p.m.
• July 8 – D’funk and the Grease Monkeys at 7 p.m., Adem Tesfaye Band at 8 p.m.
• July 13 – Interlay at 7 p.m., Deerhoof at 8 p.m.
• July 14 – They Talk Too Much at 4 p.m., Sparetime Bluegrass Band at 5 p.m., Lynda & The ZEROs at 7 p.m.
• July 15 – Panchromatic Steel at 7 p.m.
• July 20 – Nate Gibson and the Stardazers at 7 p.m.
• July 21 – Brick Imerman at 4 p.m., Ida Jo and the Show at 7 p.m., Hannah Wicklund at 8 p.m.
• July 22 – Lake Qualm at 7 p.m., The Periodicals at 8 p.m.
• July 27 – The Material Boys at 7 p.m.
• July 28 – Searchlights at 4 p.m., Mark Croft Band at 7 p.m.
• July 29 – maplebrook at 7 p.m., Alairen at 8 p.m., she’s green at 9 p.m.
• Aug. 3 – Big Richard at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 4 – Staci Griesbach at 4 p.m., Grupo Candela at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 5 – Natty Nation at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 11 – Luke Leavitt and the Levitations at 4 p.m., N’achos at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 12 – Son del Atlantico at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 17 – 2^nd Isthmian Highlanders at 7 p.m., Skerryvore at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 18 – Old Oaks Trio at 4 p.m., The Present Age at 7 p.m., … Or Does It Explode? at 9 p.m.
• Aug. 19 – 90 Proof at 7 p.m., Shakey at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 24 – Northern Comfort Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 25 – Back2Back Acoustic Trio at 4 p.m.
• Aug. 26 – Grupo Balança at 7 p.m., Handphibians at 8 p.m.

For a full lineup of this summer’s concerts and other Terrace season events, visit terracesummer.com.

SupraNet shares connection between fiber Internet and construction industry at Kids Building Wisconsin

Madison, WI – SupraNet Communications, Inc. joins over 50 other local trades and industry participants on Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Kids Building Wisconsin, an event built to inspire kids’ interest in construction.

SupraNet works with developers across the Greater Madison area, mapping and managing the construction of fiber Internet to new and established apartment and office buildings. 

“We are thrilled to be a part of this family and youth-focused community event for the first time this year,” said Bryan Chan, founder of SupraNet. “The labor shortage in the trades has serious implications for the progress of our community. We are excited to support our building partners and encourage interest in construction by sharing how fiber Internet gets to homes and businesses.”

Kids who visit the SupraNet booth will experience: 

• Hand-on fiber Internet tools
• See maps of where fiber is under our oceans
• Visual aids to understand fiber optic concepts
• See where fiber lies under Madison
• Free SupraNet robot stickers for the first 1000 kids!

SupraNet will be at booth 36, left of the Lumber Jack Show stage at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg.

About SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Since 1994, Supranet Communications, Inc. has provided cutting-edge Internet solutions to the Greater Madison area. We believe that by helping our clients succeed and our employees to prosper, we enable our community to flourish as a vibrant and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem that fuels our collective long-term success. 

For more information about Supranet Communications and its services, visit their website at www.supranet.net.

Contact:
Bryan Chan
Founder & President, SupraNet Communications
Phone: (608) 320-4218 – cell; (608) 836-0282 – office
Email: bryanc@supranet.net