Big news as we move through the start of 2013! Due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Harkin Amendment and Pediatric Eye Care Essential Benefit that is included, millions of previously uninsured Americans (children and adults) will have coverage for comprehensive eye care! This could translate to more patients and a busier practice
Huge Potential Impact of Health Care Reform on Optometry and YOU! Read More »
Memphis, TN (January 9, 2013): Various legislators and state board members gathered at Southern College of Optometry (SCO) for its fifth annual State Day. The purpose of the event is for students to become more aware of the necessity to become involved with the legislative processes of our profession, which was exemplified by speeches, presentations,
SCO Hosts Annual State Day Read More »
As 2013 nears, changes to our health care system have been a very hot topic, to say the least. Here are a few highlights of what went on throughout this final month of 2012, as well as a summary of the year. These changes will indeed have an impact on our profession: AOA President Ronald
Victories of the Past, Looking to the Future Read More »
The extreme importance of healthy vision for children to their learning and development cannot be understated. Now the federal government is fully supporting this notion as it begins to implement the pediatric essential health benefit, which was hard-fought and lobbied for by optometrists, students and AOA members across the country! To think that previously, the
Federal Government Support and Implementation of Comprehensive Eye Exams for Kids! Read More »
I recently wrote about the presence of the AOA and optometry in Washington and how the organization and advocacy of those in and around the profession allow optometrists to practice the way they do today (such as defending the Harkin Law). As a student myself, I always urge students to be aware of these issues
AOA-PAC: Its Impact and Your Involvement! Read More »
Optometrists in California now have the right to perform clinical laboratory tests that help diagnose certain eye conditions and disease. After more than a year since its introduction and journey through the California Assembly and Senate, bill A.B. 761 was finally signed by the governor of California. Previously, certain clinical lab tests classified as “waived” could
California Bill Expands Optometrists’ Diagnostic Testing Capabilities Read More »
I was reading a few interesting articles earlier this month that I wanted to share with you. The first was a message from. Ron Hopping, O.D., MPH, AOA president, after a trip he took to Washington, D.C. I was particularly struck by what he listed as the important, core things that optometrists and their patients
5 Factors in Maintaining the Growth and Stability of Optometry Read More »
With August being Children’s Vision and Learning Month and the passing of the torch from former AOA President Dr. Dori Carlson to Dr. Ron Hopping, I wanted to take the opportunity to look back at some important developments over this past year having to do with our profession and the children and adolescents we will
Pediatric Eye Exam Advocacy: Benefiting children and optometry Read More »
It is undoubtedly important to succeed academically in undergraduate studies and in optometry school, but it’s also extremely important to begin networking as soon as possible. My connections initiated from shadowing optometrists. During one summer, I shadowed four optometrists in four different practices: three private practices and one MD/OD clinic. In fact, one of the
The Importance of Building Connections Prior to Optometry School Read More »
According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in its second year, the Medicare Electronic-Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program, has issued over 2 million dollars to optometrists in bonus payments. Each optometrist who qualified for payments during 2010 (around 936) received an average of $2,462.40, and incentive payments to optometrists ranged from $23,277.04
Medicare eRX Incentives: ODs Net $2 Million Read More »
