WPS Health Solutions outlines plan for more workers to return to the office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS Health Solutions outlines plan for more workers to return to the office

MADISON, Wis.—May 6, 2021—WPS Health Solutions is developing a plan that envisions how the work environment will change as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19. When the pandemic was declared in March 2020, WPS rapidly deployed remote technology so approximately 93% of employees could work from home to reduce the spread of the virus.

More than 350 employees currently are working on-site in WPS facilities across five states. As of May 1, WPS had a total of 3,586 employees and contract workers.

Now, WPS leaders are talking about the “New WPS Workplace,” which includes a return to the office for some, while others continue working from home or use a combination of the two options. In addition, geographic limitations on new hires have been reduced, allowing for candidates to be permanently remote from many states.

“Our return to using WPS office facilities will be a process, not an event,” says President and CEO Mike Hamerlik. “The safety of our employees remains our number one priority. As more and more people receive the vaccines and restrictions in office settings are relaxed, WPS will start bringing employees back. We are preparing our facilities and working toward the date of Sept. 7 to have operations functioning at new, on-site levels.”

The decision process on who returns to a WPS facility starts with a discussion between employees and supervisors.

“The September date allows the company, you and your supervisor, and your families time to plan whether and how you might return to a WPS office,” Hamerlik said in an April message to employees.

He also urged all employees to get vaccinated. “I ask that you do your part and get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. Even if you continue to work from home, you may at some point be called into the office for meetings or temporary duty. We want to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible in the workplace.”

WPS leaders anticipate that up to 60% of the WPS workforce will be remote after the pandemic. As a result, the company is reducing office space and reevaluating real estate plans. As announced in March, WPS signed a letter of intent with One City Schools for purchase of the Nordby Building located on WPS’ campus in Monona. Leased office space has been reduced or consolidated in other WPS locations.

“We will be changing how we design our offices, with fewer cubicles and more collaborative spaces. There will be more ‘hotel’ desks and offices, which will be available for remote workers who no longer need their own dedicated space,” says Andrew McCready, Director of Facility Operations.

Steps have been outlined for those who are ready to return to the office. Employees start with a conversation with their supervisor to define work schedule, location, and equipment needs. Return-to-office applications are reviewed by various teams, including Human Resources, Facility Operations, and Information Technology.

Once a return date is approved, the employee must follow current COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask, appropriate social distancing, and completing a wellness survey upon entry.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation utilizes “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to our entire enterprise. Within our enterprise, there are three divisions, including Government Health Administrators, Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Agrace Seeks Hospice Volunteers in Dane County, Offers Virtual Grief Support

Volunteers are needed to assist customers, operate the cash register and sort donations at the Agrace Thrift Stores in Madison, pack donated merchandise in donors’ homes, or make companionship visits to local Agrace hospice patients in patients’ homes, nursing homes or assisted living centers.

Agrace will host volunteer orientation Thursday, June 3 or Monday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Madison campus. Pre-registration is required for either session. Call (608) 327-7163 or visit agrace.org/volunteer to fill out an application.

In addition, Agrace is offering a professionally led, virtual (accessible with a tablet, computer or smartphone) grief support group in June. Bridges Support Group is for adults grieving the death of any loved one. It meets June 9 and June 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pre-registration is required.

Bridges meets online and is open to the public. There is no fee for people whose family member was in hospice care in the past 12 months; fees for others can be lowered or waived, if needed. Call (608) 327-7118 with questions or to register

MSCR Announces Summer 2021 Program Guide

May 5, 2021

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nicole Graper at ngraper@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3017

MSCR Summer 2021 Program Guide

MSCR is happy to announce the return of many popular summer programs.

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is excited to release the new Summer 2021 Program Guide filled with a variety of fun, recreation activities for all ages. The 60 page book includes programs like arts and enrichment, fitness, paddling, sports, adapted recreation, swimming and tennis.

“Staff have worked to plan activities safely and we are excited to bring back popular programs like swimming, youth sports and fitness. We are looking forward to seeing many happy faces this summer,” said Janet Dyer, MSCR Executive Director.

Registration is open for Madison Metropolitan School District residents and begins Monday, May 17 for non-residents.

Featured Programs in the Summer 2021 Program Guide:

• Youth T-Ball & Coach Pitch Leagues for grades K-3 take place at several locations throughout Madison. (see pages 16-17)
• Swimming lessons are available during the day and evening at East and West High School Pools. (pages 30-33)
• Art Cart & FIT2Go, free mobile art and fitness programs, visit local schools and parks. (pages 4-5)
• Arts & fitness programs continue to offer many class options indoors, outdoors and virtually so participants can choose their comfort level. (pages 8-13, 34-50)

Summer programs begin mid-June. Fee assistance is available for most programs. A Spanish version of the guide is available at mscr.org.

MSCR camps registration opened earlier this month.  The Summer Camp 2021 Program Guide is available at mscr.org.

Please visit mscr.org or call 608-204-3000 for more information. MSCR, a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District, is a public recreation department serving the community since 1926.

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Register now for spring programs & summer camps at mscr.org!

WPS Health Solutions wins new TRICARE military contract

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS Health Solutions wins new TRICARE military contract

MADISON, Wis.—May 4, 2021—The Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, which administers the Military Health System (MHS), has awarded Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) the new TRICARE Medicare Eligible Program (TMEP) contract.

The TMEP contract is the successor to the TRICARE Dual Eligible Fiscal Intermediary Contract (TDEFIC), both of which implement the TRICARE For Life (TFL) program serving military members, retirees, and dependents eligible for both TRICARE and Medicare benefits. As the TMEP contractor, WPS will provide claims processing and associated customer support services for claims submitted by, and on behalf of, TFL beneficiaries for services received in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, America Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The contract includes a 12-month transition-in period that overlaps the final year of TDEFIC. There are six one-year option periods continuing through April 30, 2028. Total estimated value of the federal military contract, including the base year and six one-year option periods, is $383,248,709.

WPS currently supports more than 2 million beneficiaries within the TRICARE For Life program, including the annual processing of more than 54 million beneficiary claims and provider payments totaling more than $3.5 billion. WPS has been the prime contractor for this work since 2004.

“We are honored to be awarded this important work by the Defense Health Agency and will continue to deliver outstanding service to our military service members, retirees, and their families,” says WPS Chief Business Officer Dave Marshall.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation utilizes “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to our entire enterprise. Within our enterprise, there are three divisions, including Government Health Administrators, Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Ruekert & Mielke, Inc.: Celebrating 75 Years of Wisconsin Infrastructure Improvements

LOCAL FIRM CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF WISCONSIN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this month.

[WAUKESHA, KENOSHA, MADISON] – Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M), a local leader in the development of Wisconsin’s municipal infrastructure, is celebrating its 75^th year of service to municipalities and organizations throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.

R/M’s roots in Southeastern Wisconsin run deep. You may not know R/M by name, but if you’ve ever looked up at the smiley face water tower in Eagle, visited Thiensville’s new Village Park boat launch, walked along the now-restored Wildcat Creek in Greenfield, or enjoyed the newly paved section of the Ice Age Trail in Slinger, then you know their work.

In fact, it would be hard to go very many places in Southeastern Wisconsin without finding yourself close to one of R/M’s projects, even though many of them exist underground.

The firm was established in 1946 by John Mielke and Frank Ruekert, Sr., who met after John returned from his service in the Army Corps and was hired to work alongside Frank as an engineer for the City of Waukesha.

Driven from the post WWII housing market boom, John and Frank began their early partnership moonlighting as subdivision designers, working from their kitchen tables after their full-time jobs late into the evenings. Not long after, John and Frank’s first big break arrived when the City of Pewaukee enlisted R/M to design the City’s first sewage treatment plant.

The firm grew rapidly from that point on, as R/M secured the water, wastewater, roads, and other infrastructure projects necessary to meet the increasing demands brought on by the rapid suburbanization of Waukesha County.

R/M designed much of the first-generation infrastructure for many communities in Southeastern Wisconsin, including the Village of Menomonee Falls, the City of Pewaukee, the City of Brookfield, the Village of Elm Grove, the Village of Sussex, the Village of Hartland, the City of New Berlin, and the City of Muskego. They also designed some of the area’s first business parks, subdivisions, and municipal swimming pools, including those in Hartford, Evansville, Waukesha, and Sun Prairie.

The company is now on its third generation of ownership. In 1995, R/M transferred 30 percent of the company’s stock to the employees, and in 2015 the firm became 100% employee-owned. The benefits of employee ownership have paid off, and R/M has been named one of Wisconsin’s Top Workplaces for four consecutive years and counting.

R/M President Stan Sudgen said, “As a 100% employee-owned firm, our staff is the core of our company. We know that the success and happiness of our clients is directly linked to the success and happiness of our team. Our ability to celebrate 75 years of service to Wisconsin communities and organizations is owed to the dedication and tenacity of R/M’s employee-owners.”

While the firm is excited to honor 75 years of accomplishments, R/M remains focused on the future. Their engineers, environmental specialists, and support staff are dedicated to helping Wisconsin’s municipalities build a more sustainable future through economic development, environmental services, and resilient infrastructure.

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About Ruekert & Mielke, Inc.

Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned civil engineering firm celebrating its 75th year of service to Wisconsin communities and organizations. R/M’s engineers, environmental specialists, and technology experts work together with their clients to provide unparalleled planning, design, and construction management services while focusing on building a more sustainable future. Their areas of expertise include water, wastewater, storm water, roads, environmental services, SCADA, construction review, drone services, pavement management, municipal finance, land development, GIS, and more.