Federal Government Not Issuing Fines or Penalties in Connection with CTA Beneficial Ownershp Information Reporting Deadlines

The U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced this week that it will not issue any fines or penalties or take any other enforcement actions against any companies based on any failure to file or update beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) by the current March 21, 2025 deadlines. No later than March 21, FinCEN intends to issue an interim final rule that extends BOI reporting deadlines. FinCEN also intends to propose additional rulemaking later this year to minimize the burden on small businesses.

Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 736, the Protect Small Business from Excessive Paperwork Act last month. The one-sentence bill simply postpones the beneficial information reporting deadline mandated under the Corporate Transparency Act for most companies to Jan. 1, 2026. The AOA will continue pushing the Senate to act.

The AOA continues to provide resources for members who may need to report BOI in the future. Click here to visit those resources. 

Update From ORASIS on Prescribing Qlosi in Alabama

Dear Members of the Alabama Optometric Association:

Qlosi™ (pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.4%) is officially launching in 47 states on Monday, April 7^th. Qlosi™ will be available to patients that live in Alabama, however, only after the state pharmacy licensing process if completed. We anticipate an additional three months to complete the processes required to ensure compliance with Alabama’s stringent pharmaceutical regulations. Note, this temporary restriction is based on the patient address (not the doctor). For example, if you have a patient that lives in Georgia or Florida – an optometrist in Alabama could prescribe Qlosi for this patient (due to their home address).

We are eager for you to prescribe Qlosi™ for appropriate early to moderate presbyopic patients, and we would like to share with you some of the great results from the clinical program for Qlosi. In the FDA clinical program, Qlosi showed promising results in improving near vision without compromising distance vision. It contains a proprietary EyeQ Formulation™ that includes the lowest approved concentration of pilocarpine, a near neutral pH that enhances bioavailability, is preservative free and contains two lubricating agents (HA and HPMC). To learn more about Qlosi, please visit www.qlosi.com.

We appreciate your patience as we work through the process to deliver this exciting therapy we know both practitioners and patients are eagerly awaiting. We will stay in close contact as we have updates on availability for patients in Alabama.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to info@orasis-pharma.com

Medicaid Multi-Factor Authorization

The Alabama Medicaid Agency now requires MFA when accessing the Medicaid Interactive Web Portal. MFA is an added step to the sign in process which improves security by requiring users to use a separate device to help verify your identity. MFA will be required for all web portal account types (administrator, clerk, etc.). Users will be required to authenticate using MFA each time they log in unless the last successful login session occurred within 30 minutes.

This requirement will be conducted in phases based on web portal username. Gainwell Technologies will enable a select number of usernames at a time for MFA requirement. Upon Web Portal login, selected enabled user accounts will be prompted to complete MFA setup. When a web portal username has been selected, a scannable QR code and secret code will be displayed after successful login attempt. For assistance with this process, see steps below.

Users are required to download a Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) MFA program of their choice to a computer (PC) or mobile device. For your convenience, Gainwell Technologies included a list of MFA mobile applications (apps) to install at no charge:

·        Microsoft Authenticator

·        Google Authenticator

NOTE: Use caution when downloading applications from an untrusted source that can potentially contain viruses, malware or other security threats.

For steps to install and use a MFA program on a PC desktop, please contact your local system administrator and/or Information Technology (IT) department.

Steps to Download MFA Program on a Mobile Device

1. Open Apple App Store (IOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Search for MFA Program.
3. Download App.
4. Open App.
5. Follow App prompts to set up MFA User Account.

After you have downloaded and set up your preferred MFA application, please follow the steps outlined HERE:

Join the ALOA Leadership Optometry Class of 2025

The Leadership Optometry program is a statewide program to select, develop and educate optometrists who have demonstrated an interest in local or statewide issues. The program is designed to be a series of issue-oriented experiences, which are based on the belief that knowledge is a prime motivator of leadership. Leadership Optometry is open to ALOA members that have been in practice 10 years or less. Participants are selected on ability, interest in their community or profession and insight for effective leadership.

The course consists of 4 sessions. As with all worthwhile endeavors, this program requires a definite commitment of time on the part of each participant. Attendance is mandatory for successful completion of the program. There is no tuition for the Leadership Program. The ALOA will pay the program costs and meals. ALOA will pay for lodging for the April 30—May 1 meeting. Participants must pay the remainder of expenses including transportation and any other lodging expenses. Apply HERE to join the 2025 ALOA Leadership Optometry Class. Submit the form to Amanda Buttenshaw at optometry@alaopt.com.

2025 Dates

April 30 - May 1 Day at the Legislature

(Be in Montgomery by 7:00 p.m. on the 13th for dinner with Leadership Class)

Orientation / Legislative and Grassroots

Montgomery, AL (Meeting with Legislators and the ALOA Contract Lobbyist)

July 22 (Zoom) Current Issues / ABC’s of Optometry and What it Takes to Be a Leader

Work on Class Project / Learn about the Alabama Board of Optometry

August 11 (Zoom) Structure of an Association / Running a Successful Meeting / Work on Class Project

October 2 Dinner with the ALOA Board

7:00 pm - Birmingham, AL (in conjunction with the ALOA Convention)

October 3 Present Leadership project to the Board

9:00 am - Birmingham, AL (in conjunction with the ALOA Convention)



THANK YOU TO OUR FEBRUARY ALOPAC CONTRIBUTORS!

Lauren Albert, O.D.

Tim Ansley, O.D.

Jodi Baker, O.D.

Paul Batson, O.D.

Wendell Bedsole, O.D.

Charles Bell, O.D.

John Bender, O.D.

Birmingham Area Optometric Society

R Boozer, O.D.

Spencer Boozer, O.D.

Jessica Boyd, O.D.

Gussie Branch, O.D.

David Britton, O.D.

Jeremy Campbell, O.D.

Mason Childers, O.D.

Giselle Childers, O.D.

Raymond Cobb, O.D.

Jacquelyn Collins, O.D.

James Crockett, O.D.

Melissa Curl, O.D.

Howard Day, O.D.

Sharon Day, O.D.

Stephen Downey, O.D.

Joshua Driver, O.D.

Kimberly Dunagan, O.D.

George Eischens, O.D.

Robert Ellis, O.D.

Gary Few, O.D.

Patricia Fulmer, O.D.

Caleb Gardner, O.D.

Theresa Glass, O.D.

Adam Gordon, O.D.

G Green, O.D.

Michael Griffin, O.D.

Lynn Hammonds, O.D.

Gene Harrison, O.D.

Robbie Hayes, O.D.

Jill Helton, O.D.

Amy Herrington, O.D.

Thomas Hicks, O.D.

Christi Hill, O.D.

Jeffrey Hill, O.D.

Bryan Holman, O.D.

John Hornsby, O.D.

Neena James, O.D.

Norman Johnson, O.D.

Sheila Kirk, O.D.

Michael Kwarcinski, O.D.

John Laurent, O.D.

Melanie Lawrence, O.D.

Jan Lenz, O.D.

Whitney Lowe, O.D.

Maurice Lyn, O.D.

Marston Martin, O.D.

David Mohon, O.D.

Hamp Moore, O.D.

Robert Moore, O.D.

Kathryn Mowrer, O.D.

Paris Mullins, O.D.

Daniel Murray, O.D.

David O'Leary, O.D.

Jessica Palmer, O.D.

Rob Pate, O.D.

Alan Peaslee, O.D.

Samuel Pierce, O.D.

Patrick Pyron, O.D.

Mazen Sahawneh, O.D.

Abnous Samford, O.D.

Bonnie Schwertz, O.D.

Mark Shirey, O.D.

Gerald Simon, O.D.

Wayne Stevens, O.D.

Gregory Stewart, O.D.

Lauren Stirling, O.D.

Kristin Sullins, O.D.

Robert Svensen, O.D.

Chris Teichmiller, O.D.

Kathryn Thigpen, O.D.

James Tillman, O.D.

Molly Tipton, O.D.

Candice Turner, O.D.

Megan Walker, O.D.

Kennedy Walker, O.D.

Valencia Wells, O.D.

Lee Ann Whitaker, O.D.

Clare Wilder, O.D.

Peyton Yarbrough, O.D.

Why ODs Working for Multiple Employers Need a Portable Malpractice Policy

The following information is being sent to AOAExcel members on behalf of Lockton Affinity, LLC, a licensed insurance producer. Any recommendation or advice provided is based upon the opinion of Lockton Affinity, LLC and not AOAExcel.

Whether you moonlight on the weekends or work full-time across multiple practices, working for more than one employer as a doctor of optometry can add flexibility and additional income to your career. However, if you rely solely on employer-provided malpractice insurance, you might be placing yourself at risk of a costly claim.

It can be difficult to ensure that you are provided appropriate coverage for all of the procedures you perform for each individual employer you work for. This is especially true if you practice across county and state lines, where legal requirements can vary. The best way to protect yourself is to carry your own portable malpractice insurance policy, one that is independent of any employer and guaranteed to cover every procedure you perform.



If you are unsure of what your existing malpractice policy covers or whether your coverage extends across multiple practices, Lockton Affinity can help. AOA members can receive a complimentary review of their policy from the experts at Lockton, who will comb through your policy line-by-line and confirm exactly what procedures you are covered for, and identify any exclusions that might leave you vulnerable.

The AOA Insurance Alliance is administered by Lockton Affinity, LLC d/b/a Lockton Affinity Insurance Brokers LLC in California #0795478. Coverage is subject to actual policy terms and conditions. Policy benefits are the sole responsibility of the issuing insurance company. Coverage may be provided by an excess/surplus lines insurer which is not licensed by or subject to the supervision of the insurance department of your state of residence. Policy coverage forms and rates may not be subject to regulation by the insurance department of your state of residence. Excess/Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and therefore insureds are not protected by such funds in the event of the insurer’s insolvency. The American Optometric Association will receive a royalty fee for the licensing of its name and trademarks as part of the insurance program offered to the extent permitted by applicable law.