Regulatory and Coding
When a law is passed related to the practice of optometry, it’s up to the regulatory process to define the details. Everything from how much Medicare pays for an eye exam to what, exactly, constitutes a prescription verification is determined by the regulatory agencies of the federal government.
As a legislated profession, optometry is defined by the laws governing its practice. However, legislation rarely determines the finer points of the law. Staff and volunteers in the AOA Advocacy Group work with regulatory agencies every day to define the details that determine the impact of legislation on doctors of optometry and their patients. This happens in the form of official comment letters, meetings with federal officials, collaboration with others in the health care community, consultation with doctors regarding the precise details that go into a single Medicare code, the development of an optometric registry and much more.
Personal protective equipment during the global pandemic
On Sept. 8, 2020, a new CPT code has been developed for PPE supplies and will be implemented immediately. This new code, CPT 99072 describes, “Additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time over and above those usually included in an office visit or other non-facility service(s), when performed during a Public Health Emergency as defined by law, due to respiratory-transmitted infectious disease.”
Compliancy Group provides AOA members with the total solution to the challenges of HIPAA compliance.
AOA MORE is a secure, private database provided to AOA members that aggregates anonymous patient data from EHR vendors to help improve patient clinical outcomes, procedures and best practices.
Infomation for financial assistance, new telehealth guidelines, reopoening practices and more.
Renee Brauns steps down as AOA associate executive director after 22 years
Integral to making the AOA the force for optometry it is today, Brauns is praised by volunteers and staff for her leadership, professionalism and dedication. The AOA remains positioned to continue powerful advocacy for optometry.
Integrating models of diabetic eye care
Early detection and treatment can reduce risk of blindness by 95%, yet a third of people with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. More can be done, and that’s where upstream, integrated, value-based medicine aligns doctors and plans for the benefit of their patients.
AOA-backed DOC Access Act gains U.S. Senate companion
AOA turning up pressure on anti-patient, anti-doctor vision plan abuses with new U.S. Senate companion legislation.