State Medical Society v. Manson

The two principal problems presented by this appeal are (1) whether a podiatrist is a “licensed physician and surgeon” and (2) whether the Commissioner of Insurance was authorized to determine that the policies of the Wisconsin Physicians Service are vague regarding the exclusion of the services of podiatrists.

1. Is a Podiatrist a Physician?

The trial court concluded that a podiatrist is not a “licensed physician and surgeon,” and we fully agree with that conclusion. There are several references to the term “physician” in the Wisconsin Statutes. Sec. 990.01 (28), Stats., provides as follows:

“Ph…