• Member Benefits & Services
• Manuals/ Guides/ Surveys
  • Manuals & Guides
    • Medicare Compliance Manual
    • HIPAA Resources
      • HIPAA Privacy Compliance Manual
      • HIPAA Security Compliance Manual
    • The AOA Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated Optometrists
      • The AOA Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated Optometrists: Part 1
      • The AOA Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated Optometrists: Part 2
      • The AOA Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated Optometrists: Part 3
      • The AOA Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated Optometrists: Part 4
    • An Optometrist's Guide to Clinical Ethics
    • Recommended Curriculum For The Teaching of Professionalism and Ethics in Optometry
      • Recommended Curriculum For The Teaching of Professionalism and Ethics in Optometry: PDF Version
      • Recommended Curriculum For The Teaching of Professionalism and Ethics in Optometry: Part 1
      • Recommended Curriculum For The Teaching of Professionalism and Ethics in Optometry: Part 2
  • AOA Survey Data
    • Caring for the Eyes of America 2008, a Profile of the Optometric Profession
    • Economic Surveys
      • 2007 AOA Economic Survey - National Highlights
      • 2005 AOA Economic Survey - National Highlights
    • Third Party/Managed Care Surveys
      • 2008 Third Party/Managed Care Survey National Highlights
      • 2006 Third Party/Managed Care Survey National Highlights
      • 2004 AOA Third Party/Managed Care Survey-National Highlights
    • Scope of Practice Surveys
      • 2008 AOA Scope of Practice Survey
      • 2006 AOA Scope of Practice Survey
      • 2004 AOA Scope of Practice Survey
    • State of the Profession Surveys
      • 2008 State of the Profession
      • 2006 State of the Profession
      • 2004 AOA State of the Profession Survey Highlights
    • Consumer Surveys
      • 2008 AOA Consumer Survey Highlights
      • 2006 AOA Consumer Survey Highlights
    • Optical Dispensing Surveys
      • 2007 AOA Optical Dispensing Survey Highlights
      • 2005 AOA Optical Dispensing Survey Highlights
    • New Technology Surveys
      • 2007 AOA New Technology Survey Highlights
      • 2005 AOA New Technology Survey Highlights
    • Practice Efficiencies Survey
      • 2007 Practice Efficiencies Survey Results
• AOA Sections
  • Contact Lens & Cornea Section
    • Membership Application
    • 2008 CLCS Award Winners
    • 2008 Student/Resident Research Awards
    • Clinical Publications
      • Series on Literature Reviews of Topics in Contact Lens Research
        • Acanthamoeba Update
        • Atypical contact lens-related keratitis
        • Association of corneal staining and different multipurpose solutions/preservatives
        • The efficacy of multipurpose contact lens solutions compared with hydrogen peroxide systems
        • The efficacy of the various solutions and different bugs/FDA testing guides
        • Hydrogen peroxide retention with lenses especially with silicone hydrogel
        • Microbial keratitis, hypoxia and new contact lens modalities
      • Acanthamoeba Resources for Members
        • Important Information/Protocol for Doctors
        • Recommendations for Contact Lens Wearers from the American Optometric Association
        • Acanthamoeba Keratitis Prevention & Compliance Information
        • Acanthamoeba Q&A
        • Acanthamoeba Keratitis Phone Script
        • CDC Health Advisory: Early Report of Serious Eye Infections Associated with Soft Contact Lens Solution
      • Fungal keratitis
        • PDF Version of this article
        • From the AOA Contact Lens & Cornea Section (CLCS)
          • Doctor-to-Patient Communication Templates
          • Clinical Guidance Regarding Fungal Keratitis Associated with Contact Lens Wear
      • Preoperative Evaluation of a Patient for Refractive Surgery
    • Online CE Program
    • CLCS Council 2008-2009
    • CLCS Membership Benefits
    • CLCS Scope and Functions
    • CLCS Membership Information
    • E-Z Fit Calculator
    • Proposed ANSI Standards for In-office Disinfection of Contact Lenses
    • CLCS Online Newsletter Archive
  • Vision Rehabilitation Section
    • Affiliated State Association Vision Rehabilitation Committee Program
      • Affiliated State Association Low Vision Rehabilitation Committee Contacts
    • Archived Radio Interviews
    • Definition of Vision Rehabilitation
    • Examination of the Individual with Vision Impairment
    • Kemin Health Offers FREE Lutein Brochures
    • VRS 2008-2009 Council Members
    • VRS e-Newsletter Archives
      • September/October 2008
      • June 2008
      • Winter 2008
      • Spring 2007
      • Fall 2006
      • Summer 2006
      • Spring 2006
      • Winter 2005
    • VRS General Sponsorship Program
    • VRS Low Vision University Program
    • VRS Member Forum
    • VRS Scope, Function and Dues
    • VRS Student Educational Awareness Program
      • LVRS Student Membership Information
      • 2009 LVRS Student Awareness Schedule
    • Membership Application
    • Membership Benefits
  • Sports Vision Section
    • Eye Emergency Kit Order Form
    • Healthy Eyes for Peak Performance
    • How to Join
    • Junior Olympics Sports Vision Evaluation Protocols
    • Membership Benefits
    • Revisions to SVS Bylaws
    • SVS e-Newsletter Archives
      • Summer / Fall 2008
      • Spring 2008
      • Spring 2006
      • Winter 2006
      • October 2005
      • March 2005
      • November 2004
    • Sports Vision Evaluation Events
    • SVS Eye Emergency Kits for Athletes
    • Sports Vision Guidebook Series
    • SVS Past Award Recipients
• Meetings & Continuing Education
  • AOA Practice Transitions:
    Strategies for Making Them Happen
    • Practice Transitions at MWCO - April 22, 2009
    • Practice Transitions at Optometry's Meeting^® - June 24, 2009
    • Practice Transitions Faculty
  • Aviation Vision Continuing Education Course
  • September State Legislative Conference
  • Electronic Health Records conferences put on hold
  • Optometry's Meeting®
  • Spring Planning Conference 2008
• Legal Tools
  • AOA Governance and Policies
  • Professional Conduct
    • Terminating the Optometrist/Patient Relationship
    • Keeping Patient Divorces Out Of Your Optometry Practice
    • Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act: Complying Is A Serious Matter
    • When the Patient is Hearing-Impaired
    • Optometrists Beware of Marketing Traps That Are Illegal In Your State
    • Employees and Patient Confidentiality
    • Patient Referrals
    • The Stark Law: O.D. physician Self Referral
  • Antitrust Issues
    • The Antitrust Laws and Your Optometry Practice
  • Managed Care
    • Insurance Companies Seeking to Nullify Innocent Third-Party Creditor Rights
    • Will Your Insurance Cover HIPAA Problems?
  • Interprofessional Relationships
    • Ownership of Patient Records
• Managed Care & Insurance
  • New 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payment Rates, July 1-December 30, 2008
  • Evaluating a Plan/Making a Business Decision
    • General Considerations to Contracting with a Managed Care Plan
    • Chair Cost Calculator
    • RVS Update Process
  • Optometrist Access
    • Gains in Optometrist Access
    • National Action: AOA Managed Care Marketing Initiative
      • A History of Success
      • AOA Managed Care Marketing Initiative Success Stories
    • State Association Managed Care Toolbox
    • Medicare Advantage Access Study
  • Credentialing
  • Medicare Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
    • 2008 PQRI Test Measures Specifications
    • PQRI News and Alerts
      • AOA, CMS PQRI Forum offers OD-specific guidance
      • 2007 PQRI Final Feedback Reports Now Available
    • PQRI Measure 12: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Optic Nerve Evaluation
    • Measure 14: AMD - Dilated Macular Examination
    • Measure 18: Diabetic Retinopathy Documentation of Presence or Absence of Macular Edema and Level of Severity of Retinopathy
    • Measure 19: Diabetic Retinopathy Communication with Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes Care
    • Measure 114: Inquiry Regarding Tobacco Use
    • Measure 115: Advising Smokers to Quit
    • Measure 117: Dilated Eye Exam in Diabetic Patient
    • Measure 124: HIT - Adoption/Use of Health Information Technology (Electronic Health Records)
    • Measure 125: HIT - Adoption/Use of e-Prescribing
    • Measure 128: Universal Weight Screening and Follow-Up
    • Measure 129: Universal Influenza Vaccine Screening and Counseling
    • Combination of Measures
  • Coding Resources
    • AOA Coding Today
    • AOA.ReimbursementPLUS.com
    • Coding Learning Tools
    • National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI)
    • Updated ICD.9 CM Codes
    • 2008 Level II CPT Codes
    • A White Paper on HIPAA Transactions and Code Sets Regulation
      • Part I: An Overview of HIPAA Transactions and Code Sets Regulation
      • Part II: Direct Data Entry Systems
      • Part III: Claim Attachments
      • Part IV: Optical Industry Process Maps
      • Part V: Key Milestones & Dates for Transaction & Code Sets
      • Part VI: Appendicies
• Licensure
  • State Boards of Optometry
• AOA Programs
  • Vision USA
  • InfantSEE®
  • Healthy Eyes Healthy People®
    • New! 2010 Healthy Vision Community Awards Program
    • 2008 Healthy Eyes Healthy People® Grants Funded by Luxottica Group
    • 2008 Healthy Eyes Healthy People® Grants Funded by Vision Service Plan (VSP)
    • Healthy Eyes Healthy People® State Consultants
    • 2007 Healthy Eyes Healthy People® Grants Funded by Luxottica Group
    • 2007 Healthy Eyes Healthy People® Grants Funded by Vision Service Plan (VSP)
    • 2006 Luxottica-Funded Projects
    • 2006 VSP-Funded Projects
    • 2009 HEHP Grant Application Form
    • 2009 HEHP Grant Instructions
    • Examples of funded HEHP projects
    • Healthy Eyes Toolkit
    • Healthy Eyes Webpage
• Library Services (ILAMO)
  • Frequently Requested
    • Children's Books
  • Audiovisual List
    • Audiocasette programs (miscellaneous)
    • CD-ROMs
    • DVDs
    • Slides
    • Videos
    • Videos for children
    • AOA CE Courses 2001
    • AOA CE Courses 2002
    • AOA CE Courses 2003
    • AOA CE Courses 2004
    • AOA CE Courses 2005
    • AOA CE Courses 2006
    • AOA CE Courses 2007
    • AOA CE Courses 2008
    • American Academy of Optometry (AAO)
    • COVD: Collge of Optometrists in Vision Development
    • Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA)
  • New Books and Media
  • ILAMO Fees
  • ILAMO Online Catalog
  • PubMed Database
  • VisionLink Newsletter
• Archives & Museum
  • AOA Presidents & Congresses
  • Honors and awards
    • The Apollo Award
    • Other AOA Awards
  • Bibliography : History of Optometry
  • Museum
    • Eyewear Cases and Containers
    • Contact Lenses
    • Decorative Items, Art, Photos
    • Eyeglasses and Spectacles
      • Twentieth Century
    • Four Lens Spectacles
    • Instruments, Equipment, Tools & Training
    • Lorgnettes
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    • Miscellanea
    • Pince-nez, Folding, & Quizzers
    • Recreational and Safety Eyewear
• Order Department
  • AOA Online Store
  • Order Form
  • 2009 Order Department Catalog
  • Tamper-resistant Prescription Pads
  • Codes for Optometry
• Practice Management
  • Hispanic Vision Initiative
  • Entering Practice
    • Map Out Your Optometric Journey with a Successful Business Plan
    • Developing the Large Optometric Practice
    • Feasibility Studies for ODs
    • A Simple Approach to Developing Business Strategy
    • Is Your Planning on Target? Developing a Mission Statement and Business Plan for your Practice is an Invaluable Exercise
    • You Can Be a Successful Negotiator!
    • Making the Deal: A Guide to Successful Negotiation
  • Operations/Business Management
    • Documentation/Compliance
      • Twelve Simple Ways to Help Avoid Claims Rejections
      • Documentation Guidelines Revisited: The First Part of the Four-Part Series
      • Documentation Guidelines Revisited: The Basic Elements
      • Documentation Guidelines Revisited: The Examination
      • Documentation Guidelines Revisited: Medical Decision Making
    • Patient Care
      • How to Offer the Best UV Protection for Patients' Eyes
      • Expanded Patient History
      • Telephone Communications
        • Telephone Triage
    • Staffing and Personnel Issues
      • Job Design: Keys to Motivation, Performance, and Satisfaction
      • What Do Your Employees Really Want?
    • Financial Issues
      • Making a Statement About the Practice
      • Why Every Optometrist Needs a Budget
    • Disaster Preparation and Planning
    • Supply & Inventory
      • Beware of marketing traps that are illegal in your state
    • Managed Care
      • Watch Out for Managed Care Anti-trust Traps
      • Do Your Vision Care Plans Make the Grade?
      • So Many Plans, So Little Time: Coping with Multiple Managed Care Plans
      • Chart Audits For Better Plan Compliance
      • 25 Questions To Ask Before Joining A Third Party Prepaid Plan
  • Special Interest Areas
    • Children's Vision and Vision Therapy
      • Incorporating Pediatric Eye Care Into Primary Care Practice
      • Vision Therapy Only
      • Vision Therapy Co-Management
    • Computer Vision
      • Do Third-Party Plans Really Pay for CVS Care?
      • Marketing a Computer Vision Practice
      • Nine Steps to Computer Vision Practice
  • Exit Strategies
    • Valuing an Optometric Practice
    • Determining Practice Value
    • Don't Procrastinate...Associate!
  • Marketing Tools
    • An Optometrist’s Guide to Marketing
      • Part I: An Introduction to Marketing
      • Part II: Developing Marketing Opportunities
      • Part III: Developing the Marketing Mix
      • Part IV: Managing the Marketing Effort
    • Customizable News Releases
    • Growing a Practice Outside the Walls: Setting Up an External Marketing Program
    • Healthy Eyes Healthy People...Healthy Practices!
  • Coding Resources
  • Practice Assistance Program
• Ask Your AOA
• State Advocacy
  • About State Government Relations
  • Licensure by Endorsement
    • Licensure by Endorsement Map
    • HOD Resolution in Support of Endorsement
    • HOD Resolution Regarding Equivalency of National Board Scores
    • Guidelines for State Laws to Establish Endorsement
    • Merit Arguments for Establishing Endorsement
  • Legislative Priorities
  • Prescriptive Authority
    • Glaucoma Treatment
    • Oral Medications
    • Injectables
    • Controlled Medications
  • 2008 State Legislative Conference Presentations
  • Children’s Eye Exam Posters
• Joint Board Certification Project Team

State Advocacy

• About State Government Relations
• Licensure by Endorsement
• Legislative Priorities
• Prescriptive Authority
• 2008 State Legislative Conference Presentations
• Children’s Eye Exam Posters

The State Government Relations Center (SGRC) provides information, guidance, advice, and resource assistance in all areas of state legislation and regulation affecting the profession of optometry to individual AOA members and the affiliated associations as well as to state legislators, regulators, third party payors, attorneys, the ophthalmic industry, the media, the public, and other interested persons. SGRC serves as a resource for state association political activities. In addition, SGRC maintains a database of all current optometry practice acts and optometry board regulations.

For further information or assistance on any of the following state law or legislative matter please contact Sherry Cooper in the AOA St. Louis office (800/365/2219, Ext. 4266).

State Law/Legislative Issues Regarding: Scope of Practice, Prescriptive Authority, Licensure and Regulation Issues, Licensure by Endorsement, Prescription Release, Optician Legislation, State Law Database, Mandatory Children's Eye Exam, Insurance/Managed Care/Access Legislation, and Others - Sherry L. Cooper, Associate Director (Ext. 4266) or SLCooper@aoa.org.