Wisconsin Medical Society | Medigram

The State of Wisconsin's Medical Examining Board (MEB) gave final approval to two administrative rules at its monthly meeting on August 16. One is the culmination of a multi-year exploration into establishing chaperone requirements; the other modifies current rules for physicians' continuing medical education (CME) responsibilities. 

Opioid CME Requirements

The new rule alters the current requirement that a physician complete two credits of coursework each reporting period in a specific area of controlled substances prescribing; the specific subject area has varied over the previous cycles. Under the new rule, the two-credit requirement can be fulfilled with coursework pertaining to "prescribing opioids and other controlled substances." While previous cycles required those courses to be approved by the MEB, the new rule eliminates that requirement. 

Since first establishing this subject-specific requirement, the MEB created each version of the rule with a sunset clause, meaning the requirement would expire if the MEB determined that specific prescribing education was no longer needed. As the state continues to experience overdose-related deaths – including an increase in synthetic opioid-related abuse – the MEB decided not to include a sunset clause for the new rule. Therefore, the requirement will remain until such time as the MEB decides to alter the rule. 

The new rule is expected to take effect on October 1, 2023, which means it applies to the current CME cycle.