- Email: [email protected]
3. Massachusetts society of optometrists
ELSEVIER
Clinical Eye and Vision Care 9 (1997) 125-127
1996 Year in Review: Report from the Associations 1. Connecticut Association of Optometrists On May 8, 1996, Governor John Rowland signed into law Public Act 96-70 -an act concerning optometry. This law allows optometrists to practice to their fullest training. We are essentially limited by anatomy, rather than procedures, bringing our practice act in line with those of podiatrists and dentists. The law allows us to use the most modern technologies and medicines as they are being developed, rather than having to wait for the legislators to review each individually. Specifically, optometrists who are qualified may treat most glaucoma, perform procedures on the lacrimal system, use diagnostic lasers and prescribe oral medications, up to and including Schedule II analgesics. The CAO, after passing a significant dues increase in September 1996, has contracted with a managed care consulting firm. The firm will assist us in marketing optometry as the primary eye care providers to Managed Care Organizations. Our goal is not only to ensure optometry’s inclusion in the plans, but our inclusion as providers of medical eye care. We have also allocated money to hire a professional public relations firm, which will help increase the public’s awareness of optometry. Mark Chasse, OD, President
2. Maine Optometric Association This year, 1997, is the first year that 25 hour of continuing education is required by our State Board. The MAO is responding by offering more hours at our quarterly meetings. This new requirement should also increase attendance by Maine optometrists at future NECO meetings. In June, during our Bar Harbor meeting, we will be offering 5 hour of education on Medicare billing and coding issues. 0953~4431/97/$17.00 PZZ SO953-4431(97)
Currently, dispensing of mail order contact lenses is prohibited in Maine ‘except in the case of a physician who has previously seen the wearer’. A new bill proposes that the prohibition language be dropped from Maine Optometry law. The MAO will work with the legislature to craft some protective language regarding contact lens prescriptions. A private optometrist and an ophthalmologist are attempting to draft legislation that will amend the professional corporation law, allowing optometrists and medical doctors to form business partnerships. Our Third Party chair, Tom Nadeau, has been appointed as our new Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee representative. He has been in touch with committee representatives from Massachusetts,New Hampshire and Vermont. Steven A. Goldstein,
OD, President
3. Massachusetts Society of Optometrists The reorganization of our Society began with the selection of a new executive director, Richard Lawless. The changes in our organization have been dramatic. There has been a renewed enthusiasm by our membership, and a diverse yet cohesive group of state leaders have come forth to contribute their energies to this effort. Our committees have become more focused and directed, working together with the executive Board to advance the initiatives of our membership. Central office has a new staff, and under the direction of Rich Lawless, have become more responsive to our members’ concerns and issues. Rich also directs our Managed Care Committee, which has been transformed into a highly productive arm of our organization. The Blue Cross/HMO Blue dispute has been amicably resolved, and is now in the final stage
0 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. AI1 rights reserved. 00218-X
126
1996 Year in Review /Clinical
Eye and Vision Care 9 (1997) 125-127
of implementation. All credentialed optometrists will be permitted to participate at full scope of practice. We have initiated talks with other plans, and expanded our efforts to achieve similar gains with all other plans. Our TPA bill has been filed for 1997, and we await testimony before the joint committee on health care. The bill includes all topical eye medications, except for the treatment of glaucoma, and includes foreign body removal. Gart Wolf; OD, President
4. New Hampshire Optometric Association Some New Hampshire ODs have had problems recently with reimbursement from Medicare through our carrier. The codes included most 60000 level codes, upper 90000 codes, post-op cataract services, and upper level nursing home codes. We have had some successwith our work through the state Board and Kelly Brand at the AOA Washington office. We will continue this process and be very active in carrier advisory committee meetings. The NHOA has decided to change lobbyists in an effort to revitalize our image and effectiveness at the Capitol. Our previous lobbyist was with us for 10 years, having shared success in achieving our first therapeutics legislation. Our new lobbyist comes with some fresh ideas and perspectives that we think will carry us into the new millennium. We will not pursue a therapeutics amplification bill this year. We are in preparation for the future, getting to know a new governor and many new committee members. Paul A. McManus,
OD, President
5. Rhode Island Optometric Association Rhode Island is pleased to announce that the rules and regulations relative to optometry have been updated to include all topical medications in the treatment of eye disease. This update brings the rules and regulations in line with the language passed in our therapeutic bill in 1985. The rules include a 24-hour transcript quality amplification course. After the successful passage of the course, optometrists will be able to use all topical ocular medications except for
glaucoma medications. Before being able to prescribe glaucoma medications, 20 patients will need to be co-managed for a minimum of 1 year or until the patient is stabilized, whichever is longer. After the completion of the 20 comanaged cases,optometrists will be able to manage and teat glaucoma patients independently. We are monitoring the rules and regulation process for the ‘Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act’ that was enacted in the 1996 session.This law includes provider anti-discrimination language, particularly language that would prohibit an individual or class of providers from being rejected from a provider panel solely on the basis of not having hospital privileges. New rules and regulations are also being drawn up for the School Health screening procedures. We were not successful in requiring complete eye exams for children at various stages. The proposal includes some new components to the vision screening now being done by the school nurse. Screenings would be standardized throughout the 39 school districts. As in other states,we are monitoring the third party insurance plans. Two optometrists were recently appointed to the eye care provider committee at Blue Cross. There is also an optometric representative on the Medicare Advisory committee. Richard Belhumeur,
OD, President
6. Vermont Optometric Association Our state Association successfully convinced a major state-managed care plan to allow optometrists to participate at full scope of licensure. The original plan limited optometrists to routine eye exams. During the controversy, Governor Howard Dean gave us his personal guarantee that managed care plans in the state of Vermont will not be allowed to limit a provider’s scope of practice. The following codes were added to the list of procedures for which Medicare will pay optometric providers: 65222 Removal of cornea1foreign body; 67820 Correction of trichiasis; epilation by forceps; 67938 Removal of imbedded foreign body, eyelid; 68 761 Closure of lacrimal punctum. Previously, Medicare rejected these claims when filed by Vermont optometrists.
Clinical Eye and Vision Care 9 (1997) 125-127
1996 Year in Review: Report from the Associations 1. Connecticut Association of Optometrists On May 8, 1996, Governor John Rowland signed into law Public Act 96-70 -an act concerning optometry. This law allows optometrists to practice to their fullest training. We are essentially limited by anatomy, rather than procedures, bringing our practice act in line with those of podiatrists and dentists. The law allows us to use the most modern technologies and medicines as they are being developed, rather than having to wait for the legislators to review each individually. Specifically, optometrists who are qualified may treat most glaucoma, perform procedures on the lacrimal system, use diagnostic lasers and prescribe oral medications, up to and including Schedule II analgesics. The CAO, after passing a significant dues increase in September 1996, has contracted with a managed care consulting firm. The firm will assist us in marketing optometry as the primary eye care providers to Managed Care Organizations. Our goal is not only to ensure optometry’s inclusion in the plans, but our inclusion as providers of medical eye care. We have also allocated money to hire a professional public relations firm, which will help increase the public’s awareness of optometry. Mark Chasse, OD, President
2. Maine Optometric Association This year, 1997, is the first year that 25 hour of continuing education is required by our State Board. The MAO is responding by offering more hours at our quarterly meetings. This new requirement should also increase attendance by Maine optometrists at future NECO meetings. In June, during our Bar Harbor meeting, we will be offering 5 hour of education on Medicare billing and coding issues. 0953~4431/97/$17.00 PZZ SO953-4431(97)
Currently, dispensing of mail order contact lenses is prohibited in Maine ‘except in the case of a physician who has previously seen the wearer’. A new bill proposes that the prohibition language be dropped from Maine Optometry law. The MAO will work with the legislature to craft some protective language regarding contact lens prescriptions. A private optometrist and an ophthalmologist are attempting to draft legislation that will amend the professional corporation law, allowing optometrists and medical doctors to form business partnerships. Our Third Party chair, Tom Nadeau, has been appointed as our new Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee representative. He has been in touch with committee representatives from Massachusetts,New Hampshire and Vermont. Steven A. Goldstein,
OD, President
3. Massachusetts Society of Optometrists The reorganization of our Society began with the selection of a new executive director, Richard Lawless. The changes in our organization have been dramatic. There has been a renewed enthusiasm by our membership, and a diverse yet cohesive group of state leaders have come forth to contribute their energies to this effort. Our committees have become more focused and directed, working together with the executive Board to advance the initiatives of our membership. Central office has a new staff, and under the direction of Rich Lawless, have become more responsive to our members’ concerns and issues. Rich also directs our Managed Care Committee, which has been transformed into a highly productive arm of our organization. The Blue Cross/HMO Blue dispute has been amicably resolved, and is now in the final stage
0 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. AI1 rights reserved. 00218-X
126
1996 Year in Review /Clinical
Eye and Vision Care 9 (1997) 125-127
of implementation. All credentialed optometrists will be permitted to participate at full scope of practice. We have initiated talks with other plans, and expanded our efforts to achieve similar gains with all other plans. Our TPA bill has been filed for 1997, and we await testimony before the joint committee on health care. The bill includes all topical eye medications, except for the treatment of glaucoma, and includes foreign body removal. Gart Wolf; OD, President
4. New Hampshire Optometric Association Some New Hampshire ODs have had problems recently with reimbursement from Medicare through our carrier. The codes included most 60000 level codes, upper 90000 codes, post-op cataract services, and upper level nursing home codes. We have had some successwith our work through the state Board and Kelly Brand at the AOA Washington office. We will continue this process and be very active in carrier advisory committee meetings. The NHOA has decided to change lobbyists in an effort to revitalize our image and effectiveness at the Capitol. Our previous lobbyist was with us for 10 years, having shared success in achieving our first therapeutics legislation. Our new lobbyist comes with some fresh ideas and perspectives that we think will carry us into the new millennium. We will not pursue a therapeutics amplification bill this year. We are in preparation for the future, getting to know a new governor and many new committee members. Paul A. McManus,
OD, President
5. Rhode Island Optometric Association Rhode Island is pleased to announce that the rules and regulations relative to optometry have been updated to include all topical medications in the treatment of eye disease. This update brings the rules and regulations in line with the language passed in our therapeutic bill in 1985. The rules include a 24-hour transcript quality amplification course. After the successful passage of the course, optometrists will be able to use all topical ocular medications except for
glaucoma medications. Before being able to prescribe glaucoma medications, 20 patients will need to be co-managed for a minimum of 1 year or until the patient is stabilized, whichever is longer. After the completion of the 20 comanaged cases,optometrists will be able to manage and teat glaucoma patients independently. We are monitoring the rules and regulation process for the ‘Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act’ that was enacted in the 1996 session.This law includes provider anti-discrimination language, particularly language that would prohibit an individual or class of providers from being rejected from a provider panel solely on the basis of not having hospital privileges. New rules and regulations are also being drawn up for the School Health screening procedures. We were not successful in requiring complete eye exams for children at various stages. The proposal includes some new components to the vision screening now being done by the school nurse. Screenings would be standardized throughout the 39 school districts. As in other states,we are monitoring the third party insurance plans. Two optometrists were recently appointed to the eye care provider committee at Blue Cross. There is also an optometric representative on the Medicare Advisory committee. Richard Belhumeur,
OD, President
6. Vermont Optometric Association Our state Association successfully convinced a major state-managed care plan to allow optometrists to participate at full scope of licensure. The original plan limited optometrists to routine eye exams. During the controversy, Governor Howard Dean gave us his personal guarantee that managed care plans in the state of Vermont will not be allowed to limit a provider’s scope of practice. The following codes were added to the list of procedures for which Medicare will pay optometric providers: 65222 Removal of cornea1foreign body; 67820 Correction of trichiasis; epilation by forceps; 67938 Removal of imbedded foreign body, eyelid; 68 761 Closure of lacrimal punctum. Previously, Medicare rejected these claims when filed by Vermont optometrists.