Federal Advocacy
CMS takes aim at Medicare Advantage plans misrepresenting vision benefits
Medicare’s latest proposed rule builds on efforts to rein back Medicare Advantage plans with the AOA contributing comments that reiterate the need to eliminate plans’ barriers to care and promote transparency.
Fighting for veterans, fighting for optometry
Ensuring our nation’s veterans have access to the full range of eye care they need, when and where they need it, has long been a mission for optometry’s advocates. Now, a pair of Veterans Health Administration directives affecting optometry could have far-reaching consequences beyond the nation’s largest integrated health care network.
AOA: No letting up on Eyeglass Rule advocacy
In a recent one-on-one conversation with Federal Trade Commission staff, the AOA again urges the agency to reconsider a proposal requiring patients to sign forms attesting that they have received copies of their eyeglass prescriptions. For small-business optometric practices, the requirement would be burdensome from a paperwork perspective and unnecessary given that consumers are more empowered than ever, the AOA says—again.
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.
Take Action, Secure Change
Brush up on AOA’s priority issues and connect with your lawmakers to urge their support.
AOA: A force to reckon with
Always ready for the profession’s collective defense and advancement, the AOA leverages its full power, might and ability to deliver for you. You and your fellow members are the reason why the AOA remains an advocacy force, able to consistently deliver for doctors and their practices. So, explore how the AOA is working on your behalf.
U.S. House investigative committee calls for scrutiny of vision plans
Amid the AOA’s push for the bipartisan Dental and Optometric Care Access Act, a congressional panel authorized to investigate “any matter at any time” goes public with vision plan concerns and demands for oversight of industry consolidation and vertical integration.
Retail optical lobbying group name change allays AOA, affiliate concerns
The “National Association of Optometrists and Opticians” moniker has been dropped and replaced with NAROC, the National Association of Retail Optical Companies.
Doctors of optometry challenge reasoning behind proposed Eyeglass Rule changes at FTC workshop
The recent workshop heard testimony from various stakeholders on the potential impact that proposed changes to the Eyeglass Rule might have on consumer choice and the burden on the practices of doctors of optometry and ophthalmology, which are already understaffed and saddled with other federal regulation. The Federal Trade Commission will use the feedback to determine whether to go forward with its recommendations.
DOC Access Act gains Senate companion
The Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act curbs anti-patient, anti-doctor mandates by vision plans and affirms the doctor-patient relationship.
Contact lens safety legislation proposes banning robocalls
Backed by the AOA and Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety, the legislation would prohibit sellers’ manipulation of the current contact lens prescription verification system and restore doctors’ oversight.