AOA Health Policy Institute's Response to COVID-19
The AOA Health Policy Institute (HPI) is closely monitoring developments and will actively provide updates regarding COVID-19 to ensure doctors of optometry and the public not only understand the risks associated with this pandemic but also have the latest information for continued patient care.
The AOA's and AOA HPI's priority is to support the health and safety of the public and the optometric community, and will continue to assess the situation and update recommendations accordingly.
Updated August 2022
New CDC recommendations for wearing a mask or physically distancing to protect individuals from COVID-19 disease are intended to help individuals make decisions about daily activities after being fully vaccinated but they are not intended for health care settings.
Public Health and Epidemiology of COVID-19 for Doctors of Optometry
February 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic presents health risks for doctors of optometry. Understanding those risks ensures continued ability to care for patients, while respecting their safety and aiding the community wellbeing.
Third Nationwide Impact and Response Survey of Optometry Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic
November 2020
The AOA HPI issued a report on their third survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on optometric practices.
Second Nationwide Impact and Response Survey of Optometry Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic
July 30, 2020
The AOA HPI issued a report on their second survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on optometric practices.
June 26, 2020
The AOA HPI details optometry's significant patient care contributions in providing urgent and emergent eye care for over 206,000 patients at the height of the March 2020, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, diverting vulnerable populations away from emergency departments coping with surging coronavirus caseloads.
Nationwide Impact and Response Survey of Optometry Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 14, 2020
The AOA HPI surveyed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctors of optometry.
Doctors of Optometry Essential Care Guidelines for COVID-19 Pandemic
March 26, 2020
The AOA HPI has provided essential care guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doctors of Optometry in COVID-19 Preparedness, Response and Recovery
March 25, 2020
Doctors of optometry play a significant role in monitoring, diagnosing and identifying health hazards related to COVID-19 in their communities.
Partners in care
A successful practice takes a village—doctors of optometry and paraoptometric staff—to make it work and even prosper. Toward that end, the AOA has created a trove of practice management tools and services that can power practices forward in a profession and health care landscape that increasingly demands doctors practice at their highest levels and creates greater opportunities to develop and empower paraoptometric staff. These days, change is out of necessity.
4 tips for handling payer clawbacks: What the experts say
A recent #AskAOA webinar, hosted by the AOA Third Party Center, offered helpful advice for how doctors can address and respond to clawbacks.
Webinar takes on sensitive topic of human trafficking
Most states require health care providers, including doctors of optometry, to report cases of abuse of children and elderly adults. AOA members are invited to attend an important webinar on the serious subject of human trafficking.