Comments for News from the AOA's Blog http://newsfromaoa.org Just another WordPress.com weblog Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:45:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on AOA statement on American Board of Clinical Optometry by James Fisk http://newsfromaoa.org/2010/03/08/aoa-statement-on-american-board-of-clinical-optometry/#comment-400 James Fisk Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:45:18 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=574#comment-400 Please just report the news. There is no need to attack or demean other organizations. Such an approach diminishes the stature of the AOA. The tone of the middle four paragraphs is unnecessarily defensive. ABCO and ABCMO are just as well-intentioned as the ABO. Please just report the news. There is no need to attack or demean other organizations. Such an approach diminishes the stature of the AOA. The tone of the middle four paragraphs is unnecessarily defensive. ABCO and ABCMO are just as well-intentioned as the ABO.

]]> Comment on AOA Update on Health Care Reform – January 22, 2010 by H.Michael Weitzman,OD http://newsfromaoa.org/2010/01/22/aoa-update-on-health-care-reform-%e2%80%93-january-22-2010/#comment-333 H.Michael Weitzman,OD Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:30:32 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=394#comment-333 Am I to assume that AOA still insists that stand-alones [e.g.VSP & others]be kept out of the proposed health-care exchanges? If so could someone please explain in terms I can understand why this is such a good idea since it puts in jeapardy some 55 million VSP patients of 26K OD's who are panelists. Explain to me how hurting VSP helps our profession. When I started practice in the early '60's I would have starved w/o patients that VSP provided me---AOA didn't raise a pinkie to help me. Maybe I'm too stupid to see your reasoning, but right now I'm infuriated ... Am I to assume that AOA still insists that stand-alones [e.g.VSP & others]be kept out of the proposed health-care exchanges? If so could someone please explain in terms I can understand why this is such a good idea since it puts in jeapardy some 55 million VSP patients of 26K OD’s who are panelists. Explain to me how hurting VSP helps our profession. When I started practice in the early ’60’s I would have starved w/o patients that VSP provided me—AOA didn’t raise a pinkie to help me. Maybe I’m too stupid to see your reasoning, but right now I’m infuriated …

]]> Comment on AOA Update on Health Care Reform – January 22, 2010 by Brian Pieper http://newsfromaoa.org/2010/01/22/aoa-update-on-health-care-reform-%e2%80%93-january-22-2010/#comment-332 Brian Pieper Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:02:56 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=394#comment-332 Hello, I am a second year student at the Illinois College of Optometry. While trying to follow the details of the health care reform, I have become very confused. First of all I would like to thank AOA for fighting to protect the place of Optometry in the health care industry. However, I am not sure that I understand what other factions may change and want to change about the Optometrist role in health care. Where are the problems in our current reimbursement with Medicade and private health insurance? I am ambarrassed to say that i am fairly niave about much of the effects of any new health care, and what problems there are currently. Just looking for a little unbiased direction to educate myself on where optometrist stand and where optometry may be in the future. Thanks Hello,

I am a second year student at the Illinois College of Optometry. While trying to follow the details of the health care reform, I have become very confused.

First of all I would like to thank AOA for fighting to protect the place of Optometry in the health care industry.

However, I am not sure that I understand what other factions may change and want to change about the Optometrist role in health care.

Where are the problems in our current reimbursement with Medicade and private health insurance? I am ambarrassed to say that i am fairly niave about much of the effects of any new health care, and what problems there are currently.

Just looking for a little unbiased direction to educate myself on where optometrist stand and where optometry may be in the future.

Thanks

]]> Comment on AOA Backs Effort in Congress to Name New VA Blind Rehab Center in Honor of Fallen Soldier, Respected Doctor of Optometry by Ed Johnson http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/12/18/aoa-backs-effort-in-congress-to-name-new-va-blind-rehab-center-in-honor-of-fallen-soldier-respected-doctor-of-optometry/#comment-330 Ed Johnson Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:35:03 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=363#comment-330 Rob was my Optometrist and friend. The recognition at the VA Hospital in Long Beach is a wonderful idea that needs support from everyone. Rob was my Optometrist and friend. The recognition at the VA Hospital in Long Beach is a wonderful idea that needs support from everyone.

]]> Comment on AOA Backs Effort in Congress to Name New VA Blind Rehab Center in Honor of Fallen Soldier, Respected Doctor of Optometry by Lisa Eriksson, OD http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/12/18/aoa-backs-effort-in-congress-to-name-new-va-blind-rehab-center-in-honor-of-fallen-soldier-respected-doctor-of-optometry/#comment-329 Lisa Eriksson, OD Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:21:11 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=363#comment-329 I think this is a wonderful tribute to Rob's dedication as both an Optometrist and an Army man. I fully support this effort as someone who knew Rob Soltes. I think this is a wonderful tribute to Rob’s dedication as both an Optometrist and an Army man. I fully support this effort as someone who knew Rob Soltes.

]]> Comment on AOA Secures Short-Term Medicare Fee Cut Fix, 5% Boost in OD Pay Set to Begin Jan. 1 by Chuck Brownlow http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/12/24/aoa-secures-short-term-medicare-fee-cut-fix-5-boost-in-od-pay-set-to-begin-jan-1/#comment-322 Chuck Brownlow Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:49:02 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=372#comment-322 My understanding is that the increases result from changes in the practice expense section of the relative values for several of the codes commonly billed by ODs and OMDs. The conversion factor will stay the same; at least through the first two months of 2010. Thus, since a fee for each service is equal to its relative value multiplied by Medicare's conversion factor, and since the relative values for the services have gone up with the conversion factor remaining unchanged, the fees will increase. I hope that helps to clarify a typically complicated government-related issue. Note: Chuck Brownlow, O.D. is Associate Director, AOA Third Party Center and can be reached at cbbrownlow@aoa.org My understanding is that the increases result from changes in the practice expense section of the relative values for several of the codes commonly billed by ODs and OMDs. The conversion factor will stay the same; at least through the first two months of 2010. Thus, since a fee for each service is equal to its relative value multiplied by Medicare’s conversion factor, and since the relative values for the services have gone up with the conversion factor remaining unchanged, the fees will increase. I hope that helps to clarify a typically complicated government-related issue.

Note: Chuck Brownlow, O.D. is Associate Director, AOA Third Party Center and can be reached at cbbrownlow@aoa.org

]]> Comment on AOA Secures Short-Term Medicare Fee Cut Fix, 5% Boost in OD Pay Set to Begin Jan. 1 by Peter Hollis, OD http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/12/24/aoa-secures-short-term-medicare-fee-cut-fix-5-boost-in-od-pay-set-to-begin-jan-1/#comment-321 Peter Hollis, OD Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:15:53 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=372#comment-321 Does anyone have any idea how it is that we will receive the 5% hike as of January 1st? Does this come in an adjustment to the Allowables (92 and or 99 codes AND procedure codes?) or is there some way of increased reimbursement because as a provider the Carrier knows that you are an OD? I have not seen any explanation of how this will happen. Does anyone have any idea how it is that we will receive the 5% hike as of January 1st? Does this come in an adjustment to the Allowables (92 and or 99 codes AND procedure codes?) or is there some way of increased reimbursement because as a provider the Carrier knows that you are an OD?

I have not seen any explanation of how this will happen.

]]> Comment on AOA Secures New Federal Recognition and Funding for InfantSEE® Program by optoblog.com » Blog Archive » I Told You So about InfantSee http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/12/18/aoa-secures-new-federal-recognition-and-funding-for-infantsee%c2%ae-program/#comment-319 optoblog.com » Blog Archive » I Told You So about InfantSee Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:33:40 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=365#comment-319 [...] Now, it turns out the AOA has secured federal tax dollars for InfantSee. [...] [...] Now, it turns out the AOA has secured federal tax dollars for InfantSee. [...]

]]> Comment on AOA Fights Two-Front Battle on Capitol Hill to Ensure Fair Treatment for ODs by Eyeglasses http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/12/07/aoa-fights-two-front-battle-on-capitol-hill-to-ensure-fair-treatment-for-ods/#comment-307 Eyeglasses Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:07:27 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=360#comment-307 Keep up the good fight! Here's my question though- and a topic for your blog - do online companies that sell prescription eyewear need licensing to be a dispenser?? Keep up the good fight! Here’s my question though- and a topic for your blog – do online companies that sell prescription eyewear need licensing to be a dispenser??

]]> Comment on AOA issues guidance on surety bonds in light of questionable CMS position by Rodney Peele http://newsfromaoa.org/2009/10/02/aoa-issues-guidance-on-surety-bonds-in-light-of-questionable-cms-position/#comment-274 Rodney Peele Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:48:49 +0000 http://newsfromaoa.org/?p=315#comment-274 The two choices listed are among many different ways that optometrists could potentially address this issue with Medicare beneficiaries who have not been patients in the office previously. Those are not the only two options, but either approach might work depending on the individual practice and community. No single solution will necessarily be appropriate for every optometrist, and it's possible that no single solution will work every time a new Medicare patient comes into the office in need of covered eyeglasses following cataract surgery. Optometrists who are not sure about the establishment of a doctor-patient relationship in their state or about their obligations and responsibilities when serving Medicare beneficiaries may wish to obtain advice from knowledgeable attorneys licensed in their state. Whether an option is cost effective or not depends on the practice, and the doctors might need to make a business decision whether to continue to provide this service for Medicare beneficiaries. Medical supply companies serving the general public need to meet the surety bond and accreditation requirements for Medicare. Practicing optometrists are currently exempt from those requirements unless they act as a medical supply company by merely providing eyeglasses to Medicare beneficiaries (who enter the office for the first time with a prescription following cataract surgery) without doing any sort of test or examination that would indicate to Medicare that the beneficiary is a patient of the doctor. The amount of the surety bond must be at least $50,000. The cost of such a surety bond was originally estimated by Medicare to be $1,500 annually, but prices might be as much as $1,000 less than or more than that amount. The cost of accreditation is approximately $3,000 for a three-year accreditation. There are up to 10 accrediting agencies who accredit Medicare suppliers, but not all 10 necessarily accredit suppliers of eyeglasses. In addition, medical supply companies will face increased regulatory and administrative hassles. The AOA repeatedly explains to Medicare that optometrists who supply eyeglasses to Medicare beneficiaries following cataract surgery are not acting as medical supply companies serving the general public, and that the cost of a surety bond and accreditation are not reasonably covered by Medicare reimbursement for post-cataract eyeglasses. An optometrist who nevertheless wishes to obtain a surety bond and meet accreditation requirements as a medical supply company can get more information from Medicare at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll Rodney Peele, AOA Assistant Director, Regulatory Policy & Outreach The two choices listed are among many different ways that optometrists could potentially address this issue with Medicare beneficiaries who have not been patients in the office previously. Those are not the only two options, but either approach might work depending on the individual practice and community. No single solution will necessarily be appropriate for every optometrist, and it’s possible that no single solution will work every time a new Medicare patient comes into the office in need of covered eyeglasses following cataract surgery. Optometrists who are not sure about the establishment of a doctor-patient relationship in their state or about their obligations and responsibilities when serving Medicare beneficiaries may wish to obtain advice from knowledgeable attorneys licensed in their state. Whether an option is cost effective or not depends on the practice, and the doctors might need to make a business decision whether to continue to provide this service for Medicare beneficiaries.
Medical supply companies serving the general public need to meet the surety bond and accreditation requirements for Medicare. Practicing optometrists are currently exempt from those requirements unless they act as a medical supply company by merely providing eyeglasses to Medicare beneficiaries (who enter the office for the first time with a prescription following cataract surgery) without doing any sort of test or examination that would indicate to Medicare that the beneficiary is a patient of the doctor. The amount of the surety bond must be at least $50,000. The cost of such a surety bond was originally estimated by Medicare to be $1,500 annually, but prices might be as much as $1,000 less than or more than that amount. The cost of accreditation is approximately $3,000 for a three-year accreditation. There are up to 10 accrediting agencies who accredit Medicare suppliers, but not all 10 necessarily accredit suppliers of eyeglasses. In addition, medical supply companies will face increased regulatory and administrative hassles. The AOA repeatedly explains to Medicare that optometrists who supply eyeglasses to Medicare beneficiaries following cataract surgery are not acting as medical supply companies serving the general public, and that the cost of a surety bond and accreditation are not reasonably covered by Medicare reimbursement for post-cataract eyeglasses. An optometrist who nevertheless wishes to obtain a surety bond and meet accreditation requirements as a medical supply company can get more information from Medicare at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll

Rodney Peele, AOA Assistant Director, Regulatory Policy & Outreach

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