Archive for June, 2010

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Special Medicare participating practitioner enrollment ends July 16

June 29, 2010

Following the enactment of the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010, which established a 2.2 percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) is offering physicians and other practitioners, whose current Medicare participation status is non-participating, the opportunity to become participating (PAR).  This opportunity is being offered only to those physicians/practitioners whose current PAR status is non-participating.  This opportunity is available through July 16, 2010.

Non-participating physicians/practitioners who would like to become a participating physician/practitioner should download and complete the Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement (Form CMS-460).  The form can be obtained by using the following CMS website link:   http://www.cms.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms460.pdf .

Any new CMS-460 form received during this limited enrollment period will be retroactive for claims with dates of service of January 1, 2010, and later.  However, the change in participation status will only apply to new MPFS claims submitted after your new status as a participating physician/practitioner is processed.  Claims previously submitted and processed will not be adjusted for only a change in participation status.

Medicare claims administration contractors (Medicare Administrative Contractors and carriers) will accept and process requests to become a participating physician/practitioner that are submitted on the CMS-460 form and are post-marked on or before July 16, 2010.

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AOA President outlines what health care reform means for optometrists, patients

June 18, 2010
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Gala brings out talent, support for Optometry Cares

June 17, 2010

Optometry’s Meeting kicked off with a gala fundraiser to benefit Optometry Cares, The AOA Foundation.  Dozens of acts and tables loaded with items for silent (and not so silent) auction kept the crowds buzzin’ and the fans clapping.

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Up in the Air: AOA board member Dori Carlson, O.D., talks about her hectic but rewarding life

June 14, 2010

While in Copenhagen for the World Council of Optometry, Dr. Carlson encountered a fitting sign that read “Don’t worry, come to Dori.” “It was a sunglasses store of all things!” she marveled.

Describing soon-to-be AOA President-elect Dori Carlson, O.D., as a working mother is an understatement. She’s more like a highly performing shaper of young lives/ primary care optometrist/ professional leader (and not to mention she is slated to be the first woman to serve as AOA president).

Dr. Carlson describes the components of her life in terms of three elements: family, professional work and the AOA.

“I try to keep all three juggled and up in the air,” she said. “Once in awhile they all come crashing down but hopefully that doesn’t happen very often. I try to keep some semblance of balance between all of them.”

Family

I witnessed some of this magic juggling firsthand while conducting the interview for this article.

As we visited, she was on her cell phone while the home line was ringing and kids were coming and going from her back yard.

“I think I have an extra eight kids in my yard at the moment. Our home has become the gathering spot for 13-year-olds.” Read the rest of this entry ?

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Colo. OD sees it, says it, does it

June 14, 2010

Colorado optometrist Lynn Hellerstein, O.D., is using her more than 30 years of expertise to present breakthrough vision therapy and visualization strategies for children through her newly published book “See It. Say It. Do It!”

“Many children have 20/20 eyesight, yet still have vision problems,” said Dr. Hellerstein. “They can read an eye chart just fine. But they can’t read a book. More than 15 visual skills are required for learning and reading. Vision is the dominant learning sense and greatly impacts a child’s ability to read, learn and succeed in school. One in four children has vision problems.” Read the rest of this entry ?

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Transitions sponsors VISION USA virtual golf tournament

June 14, 2010

Optometry’s Charity™ – The AOA Foundation and Transitions Optical are joining forces to raise awareness, friends and funds for the VISION USA program. The AOA Foundation received a generous $10,000 sponsorship commitment from Transitions Optical to support The AOA Foundation’s VISION USA Virtual Golf Tournament, which will be held June 17-19 at Optometry’s Meeting®.

For a $5.00 cash or check donation, Optometry’s Meeting® attendees can test their golf skills in the virtual golf tournament, learn about VISION USA and be introduced to the work of the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund. Read the rest of this entry ?

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OCuSOFT launches new improved site

June 14, 2010

OCuSOFT, Inc., a broad based supplier of ophthalmic pharmaceutical products and supplies, announced the launch of its newly redesigned Web site at www.ocusoft.com.

The new Web site includes resources for both doctors and patients.

Whether searching for OCuSOFT® products, quality ophthalmic supplies or simply, information on ocular surface conditions, this Web site will meet and exceed expectations. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Member Advantage Profile: Ophthalmic Resources On-Demand

June 14, 2010

The AOA will feature Ophthalmic Resources On-Demand (OROD) on the www.AOA.org Web site beginning June 16, 2010.

OROD will provide AOA members with direct access to patient education, product information, patient materials, coupons, vouchers and patient assistance programs, as well as industry updates and research and development.

OROD is the first health care service that is free to those in the eye care professional community who are AOA members.

The easy-to-use service allows AOA members to obtain the available patient resources offered by manufacturers in a non-commercial, non-partisan, product- and manufacturer-neutral arena, focused on raising the standards of health care. Read the rest of this entry ?

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AOA Member Advantage offers exceptional benefits

June 14, 2010

AOA Coding Today is an online, optometric-specific coding and reimbursement tool.

Members will have access to news and events, FAQs and tips, journal articles and editorial content, and even a forum to post questions to a team of experts.

The site is centered on an electronic coding and reimbursement encyclopedia. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Industry Profile: Kemin

June 14, 2010

Kemin Health, L.C. (Kemin) is a global nutritional ingredient manufacturer and marketer committed to improving the nutrition of the world.

Kemin is most known for establishing and building the lutein category as well as the FloraGLO® Lutein ingredient brand in the marketplace and the research community.

Kemin is dedicated to help educate consumers about essential eye nutrients, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, that can help maintain healthy vision, increase macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual performance, and reduce the risk of age-related eye conditions. Read the rest of this entry ?

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