Practice Success Resources

Understanding the Difference Between Vision Exams and Medical Eye Exams

Vision plans and medical insurance are very different in terms of the services they cover, and it is important for patients to understand these differences. This patient facing resource can be used to help educate your patients.

Eyeglass Rule Compliance Toolkit

This toolkit includes frequently asked questions, template authorizations and information regarding AOA’s advocacy regarding the Eyeglass Rule.

Federal Trade Commission Non-Compete FAQ April 24

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted in April 2024 to finalize new rules that would prohibit employers from issuing non-compete agreements with workers. The rule would also invalidate existing non-compete agreements for many individuals. This resource includes some commonly asked questions regarding the final rule.

Medicare Advantage and Vision Benefits Explained

This resource helps educate patients about Medicare Advantage plans.

Diabetic Exam Report

This form is for use when communicating eye exam findings to other diabetes care team members.

Medicare and Medicaid Fee Schedules

This resource includes a compilation of Medicare and Medicaid Fee Schedules.

Opting Out of Medicare

This resource includes an overview of what it means to opt out of Medicare.

21st Century Cures and Information Blocking Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ provides needed information for doctors of optometry on information blocking rules.

HIPAA Compliance

Compliancy Group provides AOA members with the total solution to the challenges of HIPAA compliance.

MIPS Resources

Become a successful MIPS participant.

Antitrust Compliance

This resource is a list of key considerations developed by AOA based on the principal antitrust statutes. The following description of the antitrust laws is necessarily very general and is meant primarily to raise a red flag regarding prohibitedactivities. The AOA expects Covered Individuals, defined as employees, volunteers, and others acting on its behalf, to observe these guidelines.

Third-Party Contract Review

This resource was developed by AOA to help doctors of optometry evaluate contracts with third-party payors. It is critical to understand what to look for and what questions to ask when considering a payer contract.

State by State CLIA Requirements

This resource provide state specific requirements related to CLIA.

Guidance for Substitute Physician Arrangements

AOA created this specific practice success resource to provide information for offices that may be getting denials with insurance due to the fact that they have contracted with a fee-for-time compensation arrangement physician. A fee-for-time compensation arrangement physician is the substitute for a physician who is absent. Private payer policies may vary significantly. Some health or vision plans might not accept these arrangements at all.

Risk Adjustment Audits/Records Requests

Doctors of optometry often receive records requests related to the Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) program. These are different from typical audits doctors receive to ensure that proper payment was made to the doctor. These audits are the primary way for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to address improper overpayments to Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs). During a RADV audit, CMS confirms that any diagnoses submitted by an MAO for risk adjustment are supported in the enrollee's medical record.

Sample Letter for Optometry Practices to Negotiate Fee Schedules with Health and Vision Plans

This resource provides guidance on negotiating a fee schedule with a health or vision plan.