Join the largest organization serving paraoptometrics.
Do you work with an AOA-member doctor? You can get access to valuable paraoptometric programs and services at no additional cost, plus discounts on educational materials and event registration fees. Learn more about why you should join today.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
HIPAA requires covered entities and their business associates to protect the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). It also provides patients with rights to their PHI. HIPAA's Privacy Rule restricts the use and disclosure of individual's PHI. The Security Rule requires administrative, technical and physical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of electronic PHI.
Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA)
With a growing number of websites and small retailers continuing to illegally offer decorative, non-corrective contact lenses for sale without prescription, doctors of optometry should be diligent in reporting all adverse events associated with such lenses.
Medicare & Insurance
The AOA provides information and resources to assist members in staying abreast of the numerous Medicare rules and regulations. The AOA also advocates directly with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding issues of concern to the optometric profession.
Medical Records and Coding
Coding and reimbursement is designed to educate doctors and staff on medical recordkeeping and documentation, compliance and coding. The guidance received by the coding experts will support doctors and staff in providing the best possible patient care while ensuring accurate reimbursements are received.
Finding and Reporting CE
Educational opportunities serve as resources for those optometric staff new to the field, or for those experienced staff, interested in keeping up with changes in optometry.
Paraoptometric Certification & Renewal
Paraoptometric certification is a program developed by a respected panel of American Optometric Association (AOA) certified paraoptometrics and doctors of optometry, created to encourage continuing education and knowledge as the field of optometric assisting grows.
Paraoptometric Continuing Education
Educational opportunities serve as resources for those optometric staff new to the field, or for those experienced staff, interested in keeping up with changes in optometry.
EyeLearn
AOA’s member-exclusive centralized education portal, EyeLearn, offers an expanding online catalog of educational modules, webinars and resources to help advance clinical proficiencies, the practice of contemporary optometry, and practice management for doctors of optometry, future doctors of optometry, and paraoptometric staff. In an effort to support professional development for the field of optometry, select courses may be available to all individuals in the profession.
IOA Annual Meeting
Schaumberg, IL
MOA 68th Annual Fall Conference and Vision Expo
Flowood, MS 39232
Event CalendarOptometry's Meeting 2023
Washington, D.C.
With expert-led continuing education and professional development (CEE/TQ, AOA CE hours, CPC and COPE credit) available for doctors, paraoptometrics and students, Optometry’s Meeting delivers education that supports every member of the care team. From courses focused on office-based surgical skills and procedures to practical guidance on everything from building a medical contact lens practice to financially preparing for every stage of your career, Optometry’s Meeting is packed with discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential opportunities.
Like no other meeting, Optometry's Meeting gives every doctor, student and paraoptometric or industry professional the unprecedented opportunity to effect lasting change in our profession and make the AOA a stronger, more effective advocate for the quality eye health and vision care services you provide your patients.
AOA and AFOS: ‘Cut through the noise’ and empower licensed doctors of optometry to provide greater access to care to veterans
Eye care is the third-most requested health service by veterans at the VA—and doctors of optometry provide the majority of that care. Yet, as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers new national standards of practice for more than 50 health professions at its facilities, optometrists are making a winning case for expanding their role at an understaffed VA and are galvanizing against baseless attacks from organized medicine, ophthalmology and a few unbending legislators.
3 coding questions cracked
Does Medicare allow you to bill fundus photos and an optical coherence tomography on the same day for two different diagnoses? The answer to this question, and more, from the AOA’s experts.
Born to serve: Active duty paraoptometric professionals provide critical care
September is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, celebrating optometric practice staff around the country. Two paraoptometric professionals who provide eye care as active-duty veterans in the United States Armed Forces share their stories.