Volume 6, Issue 44│November 4, 2022
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November is American Diabetes Awareness Month
To communicate with your patients about the importance of regular optometric examinations and diabetes, we prepared an informational piece for you to download and print. It is customizable so that you may add your practice logo. You may also use it on your website or send it as part of your email distribution to patients.
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We want to hear your memories of the IOA! In celebration of our 125th anniversary in 2023, the IOA is collecting your stories about the organization.
Please share your thoughts on the importance of IOA membership, favorite memories from IOA, or your thoughts on the history of the IOA.
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IOA/AOA Membership Renewal Update
2023 membership invoices have been mailed out, so members should begin receiving invoices soon! Those on a recurring monthly or quarterly payment do not need to respond as your payment schedule will be automatically renewed.
On September 30, 2022, the IOA Board of Directors voted to keep IOA membership dues at the same rate as 2022. Likewise, the AOA Board of Directors did not issue a dues increase, so IOA/AOA membership fees will remain the same in 2023.
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2023 Dues Contest
Pay membership dues in full by 1/31/2023 and be entered into a drawing to win FREE registration to the 2023 IOA Annual Meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois! This includes your registration for the meeting and all CE testing fees associated with your registration but does not include hotel reservations.
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Call for Courses - 2023 Annual Meeting
The IOA has opened the Call for Courses for the 2023 Annual Meeting in Schaumburg, IL on September 28-October 1. Lecturers are invited to submit their lecture(s) and workshop courses in the online portal at the link below. All courses must be submitted online by December 16, 2022.
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2022 Medicare Fee Schedules
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
Looking for a motivated and energetic OD to join our Tinley Park Target Optical team! Friendly, helpful staff and overall healthy patients. (Read more)
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EMAIL SERIES PART TWO:
One of the most powerful ways to use email marketing is to generate new leads. After the welcome email, you can begin sending emails relevant to your practice and specialties. Informative emails should entice your leads to schedule an appointment. The primary purpose of this campaign is to convert your leads into patients based on their interests. If they opted into your email list, it means they have some trust and interest in your brand.
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Election Update 2022
The midterm election will be held this Tuesday, November 8. Below is a summary of candidates for statewide offices and links to find out who is running in your district.
STATEWIDE OFFICES:
Governor:
At the top of the ballot, incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker is running against Senator Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) and Libertarian Scott Schluter for governor.
U.S. Senate:
Incumbent U.S. Sen Tammy Duckworth is running against Republican Lawyer Kathy Salvi of Mundelein and Libertarian Bill Redpath.
Attorney General:
Incumbent Kwame Raoul is up against Republican candidate Tom Devore and Libertarian candidate Daniel Robin.
Secretary of State:
For the first time in nearly 25 years, Jesse White will not be on the ballot after announcing his retirement as Secretary of State. Republican Dan Brady, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, and Libertarian Jon Stewart are running for the position.
Comptroller:
Incumbent Susana Mendoza faces challenges from Republican Shannon Teresi, McHenry County Auditor, and Libertarian Deirdre McCloskey.
Treasurer:
Incumbent Mike Frerichs is running against State Rep. Tom Demmer and Libertarian Preston Nelson.
Judges on the Ballot:
Two Illinois Supreme Court seats are on the ballot this year: The Second District (Lake, McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, and Kendall counties) and the Third District (DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Iroquois, Grundy, LaSalle, and Bureau counties). Justice Mary Jane Theis from the First District (Cook County) is up for a retention vote.
There are numerous other judicial circuits up for election/retention votes this year.
Congressional Districts and Illinois General Assembly Elections:
Congressional Districts and state-level Senators and Representatives are also up for election. Find out who's running in your district using the links below.
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Carle Health to take over UnityPoint Health-Central Illinois
Urbana-based Carle Health announced Tuesday it will acquire the central Illinois hospitals and clinics of Iowa-based UnityPoint Health.
The acquisition comprises all assets under UnityPoint Health-Central Illinois, including its three hospitals in the Peoria region—Methodist, Proctor and Pekin—as well as clinics and other healthcare services.
It also includes UnityPlace, which provides comprehensive behavioral health services, and Methodist College in Peoria, which offers degrees in nursing, healthcare management and human services.
“As we work to earn the status of trusted healthcare partner in the greater Peoria region, we will leverage best practices of both teams to enhance the patient experience and bring innovation and individualized care for years to come,” said Dr. James Leonard, Carle CEO.
The health systems said in December they were exploring the acquisition and other partnerships. They expect to complete the deal by April, pending regulatory approvals.
They did not disclose financial terms. Dr. Keith Knepp, UnityPoint Health-Central Illinois CEO, said it is not a traditional asset acquisition as the assets will remain governed by a regional board with oversight from Carle’s board.
Additionally, Knepp said they will retain the “legacy names” of the hospitals, but the Carle branding name will be added to facilities. They'll also consider renaming clinics and services like UnityPlace.
Leonard told reporters Tuesday that existing leadership at UnityPoint Health-Central Illinois will remain in place, and several of its board members will join Carle's board of trustees.
UnityPoint Health CEO Clay Holderman said the partnership will improve care delivery for those in central Illinois.
“We look forward to collaborating with Carle Health on ways to advance our shared missions and create clear value for our teams, patients and the community at large,” he said.
Leonard said Carle is not considering additional expansion at this time. It's focused on bringing its hospitals and clinics in Peoria and the Bloomington-Normal region into the fold.
He said the expansion could bring an opportunity to expand its insurance plan, Health Alliance, further into central Illinois.
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Carle, Aetna Reach Tentative Agreement on Medicare Advantage PPO
Carle Health and Aetna said Monday they've reached an agreement so the Urbana-based provider will be in network for the insurer's Medicare Advantage plan.
The agreement, effective next year, comes amid concerns that state retirees would have to find a new provider, as the Illinois Department of Central Management Services announced earlier this year that Aetna will be the lone Medicare Advantage plan for retired state workers.
Dennis Hesch, executive vice president and chief financial and strategy officer for Carle Health said in a statement that they “never lost sight” of their patients’ needs.
“Negotiations have many moving parts that in the end, all need to balance," he said in a statement. "We were determined to keep trying until we reached a contract that is good for our patients, our hospitals and provider offices, and for the state and Aetna."
The announcement came as area lawmakers introduced legislation Monday to ensure state retirees have multiple insurance options.
A plan by Rep. Mike Marron, R-Fithian, requires the Illinois Department of Central Management Services to procure contracts with at least two health insurance providers for seniors on Medicare and Illinois retirees that access benefits under a program that provides Medicare-eligible members and their covered dependents medical and prescription drug coverage.
Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, filed similar legislation in the Senate.
Rose said Monday evening that he and Marron "will continue to push for our retirees to have a choice in their insurance provider so that this never happens again under any governor’s administration."
"Enabling people to choose their own doctor is the fair and right thing to do," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Central Management Services said they have not reviewed the legislation, but that they remain “committed to administering healthcare coverage programs for state employees, their dependents and retirees in accordance with all federal regulations and requirements.”
She added the state will see savings of slightly more than $1 billion across the three programs administered by the agency with the change.
“It was determined that there would be little to no disruption to retirees’ current medical providers or prescription drug coverage when reviewing and analyzing the Aetna (Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug) PPO plan during the evaluation process,” she said. “Retirees will be able to use any doctor, hospital or specialist in or out of the Aetna Medicare Advantage network, without paying more for out-of-network services.”
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National Vision Announces 2022-2023 Scholarship Program, Focusing on How Remote Technology Can Increase Access to Care
Third- and Fourth-Year Optometry Students Eligible to Win $7,500
DULUTH, Ga., November 03, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Vision, Inc., the nation’s second largest optical retailer providing quality, affordable eye care and eyewear, announced today that it is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program, providing eligible optometry students with a chance to win a $7,500 scholarship.
In the program’s eighth year, National Vision has challenged students to share their perspective on "Increasing Access to Care Through Remote Exams." Third- and fourth-year optometry students may submit written or video essays on the topic, offering their take on how remote care can help overcome common barriers to receiving quality eye care, as well as how practicing remotely can benefit optometrists.
"The COVID-19 pandemic forced the healthcare community to adapt how we provide care to patients, which led to remote care becoming more commonly utilized by both doctors and patients," said Alex Louw, Chief Medical Officer, National Vision. "There have been incredible technological advancements over the past few years that have helped us overcome many geographical, physical, and financial barriers that have prevented patients from receiving necessary eye care for far too long. We know firsthand that eye health can be a critical indicator of other health issues, and we hope that this next generation of optometrists will continue to champion remote care so that even more patients can prioritize not just their eyes, but their overall health as well."
Submissions for the 2022-2023 scholarship program are open via National Vision’s scholarship program portal to students in good standing with an optometry school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Canada. Three scholarships will be awarded: the first-place $7,500 scholarship, along with two runner-up scholarships of $2,500 each. Within the written or short video essays, students are encouraged to share their perspective on the importance of remote eye care and how they plan to embrace evolving technologies as a primary eye care practitioner.
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Two Digital Events Will Examine Inflation’s Impact on Eye Care
Contact Lens Institute announces November 16 online panel discussions.
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has announced details for two digital events that explore the intersection of inflation and eye care, presenting data and insights from new U.S. consumer research. Taking place on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6 pm ET and 9 pm ET, the live online panels are open to all members of the eye care community. Free registration is now available here.
The Remarkable Resilience: Eye Care Insights for a Challenging Economy webinars center on center on the recently published CLI report surrounding patient beliefs and behaviors about eye care choices, discretionary spending, and contact lens habits. The work polled 2,439 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, with 251 active contact lens wearers answering a series of detailed questions.
Contact Lens Institute Board Member Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, will moderate the live discussions. Four panelists—all 2022 CLI Visionaries—will interpret the in-depth data to provide valuable clinical and practice management guidance, helping attendees navigate shifts being driven by economic pressures. They include:
- Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, FIAOMC, an optometrist at Bright Eyes Family Vision Care in Tampa, Fla. He received his doctorate from Illinois College of Optometry, where he also completed his residency specializing in pediatric and binocular vision. Owing to his passion for improving the vision of children, Dr. Bonilla-Warford has received his fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control.
- Melanie Denton Dombrowski, OD, a graduate of the Michigan College of Optometry and former resident in ocular disease at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Denton is passionate about medical eyecare and education and hosts Eye School with Dr D on YouTube. Specializing in interventional dry eye treatment, she opened Salisbury Eyecare & Eyewear–an integrated dry eye center and ocular esthetics practice. She is a board examiner for the North Carolina State Board of Optometry and works extensively with industry.
- Chris Lievens, OD, MS, FNAP, FAAO, the chief of internal clinics and professor at Southern College of Optometry. He is an industry consultant and researcher, has been employed in private practice, and served in the United States Air Force. Dr. Lievens’ published works have covered eye disease, contact lens solutions and optometric management. He is the co-creator of the funduscopic grading card.
- Caitlin J. Morrison, OD, FAAO, FSLS, the owner of In Focus: Specialty Contact Lens & Vision Solutions, a private practice in Scottsdale, Ariz. that specializes in contact lenses for advanced ocular conditions and comprehensive care for difficult visual cases. After graduating from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Dr. Morrison completed a cornea and contact lens residency at SUNY College of Optometry and later specialized in corneal diseases and complications at Mount Sanai’s New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
The digital learning events are designed for participation by a broad range of eye care industry professionals, including practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists, opticians and technicians, executive and administrative staff, retailers, educators, and students.
The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote, and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
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Provider Relief Reporting Requirements for Rural Distribution Payments
The HRSA released updated information regarding reporting requirements for individuals who received Provider Relief Funds and Rural Relief Payments during 2022 or 2023. The new guidance clarified new reporting deadlines and also payment use deadlines. Doctors that received >$10,000 in any period are required to report how they spent the Provider Relief Funds and/or Rural Relief payments by the specific dates listed below.
Information on deadlines for use of funds:
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Information on reporting deadlines: |
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Glossary of terms:
Period - There are 7 "Periods" of time. Each period of time has its own deadlines to receive funds, spend funds and report use of funds.
Payment Received Period - Defined by the date the payment hit your bank account (typically was ACH).
Period of Availability - The time frame you were required to spend the relief funds.
Reporting Time Period - For those that received >$10,000 in any period, this is the time frame you are required to report to HRSA how you spent the relief funds.
Access the AOA’s previous webinars on Provider Relief Funding, including guidance and information that remains relevant for those required to report. Review the #AskAOA webinars and resources here and here.
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CDC Just Changed Its Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. Here's What to Know.
— Guidance covers acute, subacute, and chronic pain and replaces 2016 guidelines
Hard thresholds for pain medication doses and duration are no longer promoted through the CDC's new Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain.
The new guidance -- which covers acute, subacute, and chronic pain for primary care and other clinicians -- updates and replaces the controversial 2016 CDC opioid guideline for chronic pain. The 2016 guideline was interpreted as imposing strict opioid dose and duration limits and was misapplied by some organizations, leading the guideline authors to clarify their recommendations in 2019.
The 2022 recommendations are voluntary and give clinicians and patients flexibility to support individual care, said Christopher Jones, PharmD, DrPH, MPH, acting director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control in a CDC press briefing. They should not be used as an inflexible, one-size-fits-all policy or law, or applied as a rigid standard of care, or replace clinical judgement about personalized treatment, he emphasized.
"Patients with pain should receive compassionate, safe, and effective pain care," Jones stated. "We want clinicians and patients to have the information they need to weigh the benefits of different approaches to pain care, with the goal of helping people reduce their pain and improve their quality of life."
The guidance, published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, addresses four key areas: initiating opioids for pain, selecting opioids and dosages, deciding prescription duration and conducting follow-up, and assessing risk and potential harms of opioids. It suggests that clinicians work with patients to incorporate plans to mitigate risks, including offering naloxone.
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Vision Express campaign celebrates women in their midlife
The campaign highlights the importance of eye health at this stage of life and kicked off with a panel event discussing eye health, varifocals, and style
Vision Express has launched a new campaign to encourage women to celebrate middle age and to highlight the importance of eye health at this stage of life.
The optical group has partnered with the radio DJ, Jo Whiley, and the midlife platform, Noon, to tackle the stigma women in this demographic can face.
The campaign launched with a panel event on 27 October, celebrating the ‘Queenager.’
Research by Vision Express found that 61% of women said they underestimated what going through menopause involved, while 82% think more should be done to raise awareness about menopause.
As part of the campaign, Vision Express aims to highlight the importance of eye care and regular sight tests during menopause.
Marketing director at Vision Express, Jane Exon, said: “As women approach midlife, looking after their health becomes paramount ¬¬– but eye care can often be overlooked. The menopause can have a serious impact on our eyes, causing issues with day-to-day vision, which is why it is so important to keep getting your eyes tested, and to try more options such as varifocal glasses.”
Exon added that varifocals present an ideal option for patients “who want to see clearly and be their best.”
Brand ambassador for Vision Express, Whiley, partnered with the optical group on a campaign in 2021 and returns as part of the new campaign to “show how midlife is a joyful and free time of life.”
“Women of this age have far more options ¬– there’s so much freedom to explore the things you want to do. However, it’s important to look after your health during this period,” Whiley commented.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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