The Lake County Medical Society provides members with many valuable benefits, some of which are described below. We have a Physician Referral Service, an Employment Service for people seeking positions in physicians offices, office manager newsletters and classes, the LCMS newsletter ("Lake County Medicine") and periodic dinner programs for members, which give members the opportunity to network with other local physicians and learn from interesting guest speakers who address topics of mutual concern and relevance to all physicians. Programs might cover financial topics, medical practice concerns, scientific topics, public health concerns or the current medical malpractice crisis in our state. In addition, members frequently use our office as a local resource for a wide variety of individual questions that arise on a day-to-day basis.
Referral Service
The Medical Society regularly provides physicians' names to callers who are new to the community and seeking new physicians, or those who may need certain specialists. Referrals are made to dues paying members with unrestricted licenses, on a rotating basis according to the specific requests of patients. All LCMS members in good standing are on the referral roster unless they have requested otherwise. Our staff makes every effort to accommodate the needs of patients by location, physician demographics and other criteria defined by the patients.
Every reasonable effort is made to obtain accurate information about our members. The Lake County Medical Society cannot bear any responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.
Group Insurance Plans
The Lake County Medical Society offers enrollment in our group medical and/or dental insurance plans underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for eligible members and their eligible employees. We have a long-standing relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and we are pleased to offer this important benefit to eligible members and their families. Employed new LCMS members can join the group plans within 30 days of their election to LCMS membership, or following certain qualifying events such as the loss of other coverage when a spouse may become ineligible for previous family insurance coverage. Some employees of members may be eligible to join the group plans as well, even if the group practice does not pay for benefits. Since enrollment is related to membership, many members enjoy the fact that they can retain this coverage without interruption even if they change their practice situation or employment status. Please call our office for more information on the group health and dental plans.
A low cost employment service is available for member physicians who are seeking
qualified pre-screened job applicants for their office positions including
nurses, medical assistants, receptionists, insurance clerks and office
managers.
The Employment Service is supported through the dues income of physician members. In addition, there is a $295 fee associated with this service following the successful placement of an applicant who was recommended by the Lake County Medical Society. The fee is the responsibility of the employer-physician(s). It is due 10 days following the employment of an applicant. Members are expected to notify LCMS promptly upon hiring an applicant.
LCMS solicits job candidates with previous medical experience by advertising periodically throughout the
community. Applicants complete an application form provided by the Medical
Society and are personally interviewed by appointment in the Medical Society
office. Local references from previous employers and professional Illinois
licenses are verified whenever it is appropriate or applicable. Then, based
on the qualifications and necessary skills being sought by the member/employer,
LCMS staff will recommend to one or more members (or their agents), names
of applicants who appear to be qualified for their consideration.
Out of respect for applicants’
unique needs and interests, individual skills, personally identified goals,
and confidential information provided by applicants, LCMS requires that members
who do not hire recommended applicants recognize that it is incumbent upon
them to refer them back to LCMS for further placement. The applicants are
prescreened for the benefit of the membership, and we are not authorized
to pass applications to anyone other than our members. We must require as
a condition of a member’s use of the service that the member not share the
names of applicants with colleagues or other employers. In the event that
any applicant might be placed as the result of an inadvertent communication
between practices, a fee will be due to the Lake County Medical Society according
to the above terms.
LCMS staff cannot fill every
job opening filed, or successfully place all job applicants. Reasonable efforts
will be made to accommodate members’ needs, as well as those of job applicants
within the scope of the Medical Society’s functions and resources. The LCMS
Executive Committee determines policy related to this and other membership
services and they are subject to change without notice. Please contact the
LCMS office at (847) 482-0222 or by our email contact form for additional
information.
Click on the page links to download a copy of our Employment Application: page 1, page 2, and page 3
These can be mailed or faxed (847-574-0445) to Lake County Medical Society.
Office Managers
Programs are provided to keep office managers and staff informed and up-to-date on health care regulations and cost cutting innovations for the office.
The Medical Society maintains a mailing list with the names of office managers (or key persons) in members' offices. We mail a periodic newsletter to managers which includes news and information of significance to medical practices. It also includes announcements about upcoming classes and half-day seminars on medical office management which are offered periodically in different locations around the county. Others are arranged in local hospitals for the convenience of the attendees. Most office manager classes and other programs are offered at little or no cost. Scheduled speakers address topics on legislative matters, office efficiency, employment law, OSHA guidelines and other regulatory information including Medicare and Medicaid guidelines. These unique educational opportunities also provide an appropriate venue for managers to network and exchange useful information which is of mutual interest.
Our Newsletter: Lake County Medicine
Members receive our lively periodic
"Lake County Medicine" including meeting announcements and highlighting news and subjects
of special interest to the medical community. Office managers receive a separate
newsletter with information of significant value to medical offices including
information about our periodic classes and symposiums for medical office
employees.
We invite members to submit classified
ads for the newsletter at very low cost. This is an ideal way to let colleagues
know if you have medical equipment to buy or sell, office space to lease,
or even to announce the availability of an old stamp collection, sports
equipment, or other personal items for sale. Space permitting, we also welcome
ads from individuals who sell products or services of interest to medical
practitioners. (examples: transcription services, billing services, office
cleaning, etc.) Call us for a current rate sheet and our written policy on
the acceptance of advertisements.
CME
Continuing Medical Education (CME)credit is attainable by attendance at some of our programs and special
symposiums. As a chartered county medical society component of the Illinois State Medical Society, we share the opportunity of offering CME accredited events locally, under the auspices of the ISMS.
Leadership and Networking Opportunities for Physicians
Members have the opportunity to participate in various community activities and outreach programs through membership in the Medical Society. There are appointed and elected positions available. LCMS also sends a delegation of local representatives to the Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Medical Society House of Delegates, in April each year. Resolutions from around the state are considered and voted upon by the delegates who gather from all around Illinois and some eventually lead to the formation of legislation in our state.
Delegates and alternates to the Illinois State Medical Society share the opportunity to serve on the LCMS Executive Committee along with elected officers. In addition, Lake County (ISMS' District 1) has one Trustee to the State Medical Society Board of Trustees representing our District. In recent years, Lake County has been honored to have had two members elected to serve as presidents of the Illinois State Medical Society. And, in 1991-92, John J. Ring, MD, a Lake County Medical Society member, served as president of the American Medical Association.
Membership Directory
LCMS members receive a handy, spiral bound pictorial membership directory, updated annually. Additional copies are available for sale, while supplies last. Contact our office at 847-482-0222.
Click on the page links to download a copy of our Employment Application: 
