Periscope is now WISCOPE

Starting October 1, Periscope will become Wisconsin Psychiatry Extension (WISCOPE), expanding from its previous focus on perinatal mental health to give providers psychiatric support for all adult patient mental health needs.

VISION: Every adult in Wisconsin has access to evidence-based mental health care through their existing health care provider network.

MISSION: Build capacity in Wisconsin's health care workforce by providing education and consultation that support the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions in adults.

Connecting minds. Improving care.

New services. Same quality.

So much of what you know and love about Periscope will remain exactly the same. We’ll continue offering the same quality, the same consultation model, and we even have the same phone number. But now, you can get support to help treat even more of your patients’ mental health needs.

About WISCOPE

WISCOPE helps Wisconsin healthcare providers quickly connect with psychiatric expertise to better serve their patients. We offer real-time provider-to-provider mental health consultations, adult mental health education, and connection to perinatal mental health resources. WISCOPE is not a referral service and does not treat patients directly.

Important transition information from Periscope to WISCOPE

Expanded WISCOPE services begin October 1.

A doctor talking with a male patient and female partner

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What is happening to Periscope?

Periscope is becoming Wisconsin Psychiatry Extension (WISCOPE). The program is expanding from its previous focus on perinatal mental health to give providers psychiatric support for all adult patient mental health needs.

Why is Periscope becoming WISCOPE?

We’re expanding our ability to support Wisconsin providers and all of their adult patients.

Do I need to stop using Periscope?

No. Think of WISCOPE as an expanded version of the service you already know. Once the transition takes effect, simply use WISCOPE for your psychiatric consultation needs.

Do I need to do anything to prepare?

Yes. You need to complete a one-time re-consent form, which was sent via email on September 2, 2026, from theperiscopeproject@mcw.edu.

If you did not receive this email, please contact WISCOPE@mcw.edu.

Will the consultation model change?

No. WISCOPE will continue to provide real-time, provider-to-provider consultations.

Will consultations still be free?

Yes. WISCOPE offers free consultations to prescribing Wisconsin healthcare providers.

Is Periscope eligibility different from WISCOPE eligibility?

Periscope-affiliated non-medical providers (e.g., psychologists, social workers, behavioral health counselors, prenatal care coordinators, and doulas) may continue to contact WISCOPE for perinatal mental health resource connections and consultation; however, these providers are not eligible to use WISCOPE for consultations related to the general adult population.

What educational resources can I expect from WISCOPE?

WISCOPE can develop and deliver educational presentations for Wisconsin healthcare providers on psychiatric topics relevant to primary care. Potential topics include perimenopause and menopause, dementia, sundowning, treatment-resistant depression, ADHD, or other behavioral health and psychiatric concerns commonly encountered in primary care.

WISCOPE is here for you.

Services available to providers

We offer various forms of support to help build your capacity to treat your adult patients’ mental health needs at no cost to you.

Consultation
Real-time provider-to-psychiatrist teleconsultation

Education
Tools and presentations related to the treatment and diagnosis of mental health disorders

Resources
Perinatal mental health resources

Who can use WISCOPE

Prescribing healthcare providers
Pharmacists
Designated ancillary staff (e.g. registered nurses and medical assistants) acting on behalf of a provider

When to use WISCOPE

Mental health differential diagnosis
Initiation or discontinuation of psychiatric medications
Medical diagnoses impact on mental health symptoms
Patients with complex care needs, including perinatal or geriatric populations
Patients with specialized care needs such as transplant or oncology

How to request a consult

Call (877) 296-9049 or email WISCOPE@mcw.edu
A coordinator triages your call or email
A psychiatrist returns your call within 30 minutes or answers your email within one business day
The provider-to-provider case-based discussion typically lasts less than 10 minutes

Have questions? Let's connect.

When you need psychiatric expertise, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Call for real-time, provider-to-provider consultation.

*Note that the Periscope email continues to function; there is no wrong door.

Provider Consultations

(877) 296-9049
WISCOPE@mcw.edu*

Available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST, excluding holidays

Response Time

Phone response within 30 minutes
Email response within one business day

Beyond Our Scope

WISCOPE does not provide support directly to patients, prescribe medications, or offer telemedicine services.

Wisconsin Psychiatry Extension (WISCOPE) is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through a subaward as part of a financial assistance award made to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services totaling $203,670,005.21 with 95% funded by CMS/HHS and $47,671.76 and 5% funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.