FEDERAL ADVOCACY
Bolstered by courts, AOA demands VBM cease anti-doctor policies
AOA outside counsel delivers a cease-and-desist letter to VBM related to doctor-reported concerns of company business practices.
FTC issues new warnings on Contact Lens, Eyeglass rules
Regulators reminded prescribers that both federal rules, updated in recent years, require prescribers to provide patients with a copy of their prescription. The AOA offers compliance resources for practices to reference.
Understanding the impact of Total Vision vs. VSP settlement for optometrists
What doctors of optometry need to know about the confidential potential settlement.
AOA priorities advance as U.S. House approves sweeping legislation
AOA doctor and student advocates work hard to ensure their U.S. House and Senate leaders understand optometry’s priorities as Congress advances a sweeping legislative package, seen by AOA as both an opportunity to secure pro-optometry policies and a potential threat to reimbursement and coverage of optometrist-provided care.
U.S. senators introduce VBM reform bill amid growing plan scrutiny
Congressional support for vision benefit manager (VBM) reforms continues to build with the latest bill introduced seeking to rebalance the relationship among plans, patients and their doctors.
DOC Access Act reintroduced amid growing Capitol Hill vigor for VBM reform
The bipartisan Dental and Optometric Care Access (DOC Access) Act takes on the abusive practices by Vision Benefit Managers and seeks rebalance in relationship between plans, patients and their doctors.
Breaking news: VA OD physician-level recognition legislation signed into law
Roughly 70% of primary and medical eye care services are provided by VA Optometry, and the new law will help the VA better recruit and retain doctors of optometry to help preserve that level of care.
Citing array of concerns and complaints, Congress ramps up scrutiny of vision benefit manager (VBM) industry
With a direct message to the U.S. Attorney General, the Oversight Committee set an accelerating pace for a growing number of Capitol Hill and agency inquiries focused on plan abuses.
AOA-PAC election report: Optometry has outsized impact on 2024 elections
Tap into the AOA’s interactive 2024 elections map to see how hundreds of pro-optometry U.S. House and Senate candidates fared and learn how advocates can get more involved in the fight in our nation’s capital for patients and the future of the profession.
How the AOA and affiliates are fighting for reimbursement and coverage fairness
Throughout 2024, the AOA, affiliates and doctors of optometry across the country have stood up for reimbursement and coverage fairness, supporting optometric practice success and doctors' ability to deliver quality patient care.
Lawmakers host AOA, patient and consumer advocates for VBM abuse briefing as Congress expands probes
At the request of a key U.S. House committee, AOA and patient and consumer advocates briefed lawmakers and staff on growing vision benefit manager (VBM) abuses as Capitol Hill leaders increasingly probe their costly, controlling and care-limiting schemes.
Are you ready for the Eyeglass Rule of 2024?
The Federal Trade Commission issued its updated Eyeglass Rule after an extended review. The rule, which takes effect Sept. 24, requires doctors of optometry to get patient confirmation that they had received a copy of their prescription at the completion of an eye exam.