Archive for October, 2011

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MSP adjustment system delayed

October 15, 2011

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) has announced it is delaying implementation of its Automated Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Adjustment system.

The system, originally set for launch in July, is supposed to provide a process under which Medicare automatically reopens and adjusts certain MSP claims when a beneficiary’s MSP claims record is deleted or an end date is applied to an open beneficiary MSP record. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Medicare moves again toward all-electronic pay

October 15, 2011

In its latest move to convert Medicare to an all-electronic claim processing and reimbursement system, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last month announced it will focus on electronic funds transfer (EFT) during a two-year “revalidation” program that was announced by the CMS in August (see AOA News, September 2011).  Most optometrists who are enrolled to provide physician services or post-cataract eyeglasses already have an EFT Authorization Agreement (CMS Form 588 EFT) on file with the agency and accept Medicare reimbursements through direct deposit to their bank accounts.  Read the rest of this entry ?

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Medicare offers EHR attestation worksheet

October 15, 2011

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now offering an Eligible Provider Attestation Worksheet to assist health care practitioners in qualifying for payments under the Medicare Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program.

Under the incentive program, health care practitioners can receive up to $44,000 (or up to $48,400 in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area [HPSA]) over a five-year period by implementing EHR systems, certified for use in the program, and demonstrating compliance with the program’s EHR utilization criteria (known as the “meaningful use” standards). Read the rest of this entry ?

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ABO recognized as ‘fully qualified’ for PQRS by CMS

October 14, 2011

 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the American Board of Optometry (ABO) has qualified for purposes of the 2011 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program Incentive. 

The ABO successfully completed the vetting process to ensure that the ABO MOC program meets the requirements for participation in this incentive. Read the rest of this entry ?

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ABO releases results of inaugural exam, announces new board member

October 14, 2011

The American Board of Optometry (ABO) announced the release of the results of its inaugural Board Certification Examination given in June.

Of the 489 Active Candidates completing the examination, 453 (92.6 percent) were successful in becoming diplomates of the ABO. The diplomates are from 45 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Read the rest of this entry ?

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For the love of optometry…

October 14, 2011

And the earth shook in fear when I arrived in Washington, D.C., to visit with Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Okay, perhaps that’s a little bit of a stretch, but it is true to a certain extent. Read the rest of this entry ?

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2011 AOA American Eye-Q® Survey shows generations don’t see ‘eye to eye’

October 13, 2011

According to the AOA’s annual American Eye-Q® survey, specific generations have different levels of knowledge and varying views and habits when it comes to eye and vision care.

From seasonal eye allergies, to ultraviolet (UV) protection, to contact lens hygiene, the survey finds that the traditionalist (or silent) generation (1925-1945), baby boomers (1946-1964) and generations X (1965-1977) and Y (1978-1994) all vary in their eye and vision knowledge and habits. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Medicare pay takes center stage as lawmakers convene congressional deficit reduction committee

October 13, 2011

The AOA is now closely monitoring the moves of a new bipartisan congressional committee created under legislation approved earlier this year and aimed at reducing budget deficits, raising the debt limit and avoiding default on payments to service the national debt.

After months of deliberations, the White House and congressional leaders reached an eleventh-hour deal to break the impasse over raising the national debt limit.

Known as the Budget Control Act (BCA), the plan calls for two phases to implement new policies that would help ease annual budget deficits. Read the rest of this entry ?

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SVS OD featured on Dr. Val show

October 13, 2011

Vision, just like speed and strength, is an important component in how well you play your sport.  But, there is much more to vision than just seeing clearly. On the new edition “of Healthy VisionTM with Dr. Val Jones,” optometrist and researcher Graham Erickson, O.D., talks with Dr. Val about the relationship between vision and sports performance, and Olympic champion sprinter Allyson Felix explains how good vision helps her cross the finish line ahead of the pack.

Read the rest of this entry ?

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Industry Profile: Marchon

October 12, 2011

Profits lie hidden in your frame boards
Here’s how to get them out …

The optical industry is full of frames of every conceivable shape, color and size, some are very profitable to feature in your dispensary and some are costing you money.  The Marchon sales team has helped thousands of our accounts to maximize their frame boards. Read the rest of this entry ?

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