IOP News & Updates, December 2025 / Issue 22 | | |
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What a great 2025 IOP Congress! A huge thank you to all of our members, speakers, supporters, and of course both Lisa White and Misty Mendiola. Lisa and Misty put in countless hours making sure everything is put together, and we’re forever grateful.
Serving on the IOP Board for the last seven years, in different roles, has been a huge blessing. Being able to work with all of the members from throughout the state in a different capacity has built relationships beyond the exam lane. Being involved in the legislative processes has been a learning curve to say the least, but a curve I’m excited to continue.
I hope everyone has a safe and healthy end of 2025, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all in 2026 and beyond.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Kind Regards,
Doug Adams, OD
IOP President and Legislative Committee Chair
dradams@familyeyes.com
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Hello IOP Members,
We are not currently planning on introducing any legislation for the 2026 Idaho Legislative session. However, that does not mean we are going to be quiet! It is going to be crucial to have our members stay in contact and try to meet in person with legislators over the first half of 2026. Whether it’s a cup of coffee in person or even a phone call, keeping that relationship is important for all sides.
Please be on the lookout for communication from myself and/or your regional director regarding getting those legislators assigned. If you haven’t been involved in the past but would like to, feel free to reach out to me so we can get you in touch with the proper people.
We are planning on continuing to work the Department of Insurance to discuss VBM legislation, as they have gone through similar legislation in previous years with pharmacy. Continued discussion with Speaker Moyle regarding scope modernization will also be happening during the legislative session.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Kind Regards,
Doug Adams, OD
IOP President and Legislative Committee Chair
dradams@familyeyes.com
Lobbyist Report
We have drafted and finalized our Vision Benefit Manager (VBM) One-Pager. We will use that one-pager as we meet with Legislators and Executive Branch Officials during the upcoming Legislative Session. While we do not plan on introducing a bill this legislative session, we do hope to get enough feedback to get a draft bill and co-sponsors identified during the upcoming legislative session.
IOP VBM Fact Sheet
Lance Giles
IOP Lobbyist
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Insurance Advisory Committee | |
Hello IOP Members,
A few members have noted that they are not listed as providers on the St. Al's Medicare Advantage website. If you participate in the plan, please take time to check that you are listed, https://www.thpmedicare.org/saint-alphonsus/find-a-provider . If your information is not there, please call 800-991-9907 (option 4, have your NPI number handy. They will be able to check their system and provide you with a form to complete.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Respectfully,
Kendon Seamons, OD
Insurance Advisory Committee Chair
insuranceadvisory.iop@gmail.com
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Hello fellow Idaho Optometrists,
As of May 19th, 2025, this Board has begun transitioning to biennial licensure. Click this link to determine how your renewal cycle will be impacted, and to review other helpful FAQs.
Our December board meeting was cancelled. The next board meeting will be in March 2026. For more information about what is happening with the Board of Optometry, visit its website at https://dopl.idaho.gov/opt/.
Sincerely,
Jared Birch, OD
Chairman, Idaho Board of Optometry
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Federal Advocay Relations | |
Dear Idaho Optometry,
As we close out 2025, I want to take a moment to say thank you. Past support of AOA-PAC has made a real difference, allowing thousands of our colleagues around the country to strengthen Optometry’s voice on Capitol Hill.
This year, AOA- PAC is working harder than ever—we’ve won a Medicare pay increase, built historic levels of support for legislation and federal investigations targeting abuses of vision plans, made permanent a sizeable small business optometry tax deduction, secured a new law providing physician-level recognition within the nation’s largest integration health system (VA) YEAH!!!!, and just pushed through another law recognizing AOA as a physician-level certifying entity for mandated training.
As we prepare for the year ahead, some PAC investments haven’t yet been renewed for 2025. I completely understand how busy the year can get, but any participation genuinely matters. When dedicated ODs, like we have in Idaho, stand with AOA-PAC, it strengthens our ability to influence decisions that impact patients, practices (private and commercial), and the future of our profession. If possible, please consider renewing your AOA-PAC investment before December 31.
The easiest way to renew is to text EYES to 41444 or click the link here to make your 2025 investment (no AOA ID login needed)!
Thank you again for everything you’ve done for AOA-PAC in the past. I and thousands of our colleagues across the country would be honored to have you back on board as we take on the challenges and opportunities ahead. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
PS- I realize some members receiving this email are no longer practicing. :) Please take this as an opportunity to update you on what the AOA is still doing at the federal and local level. If you are still interested in supporting optometry and the AOA, please consider donating.
Thanks Idaho!!
JB
(James Bewley, OD)
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Hello everyone!
Education planning is being finalized as we speak! We are looking to offer two full days to paras in 2026 - creating 12 potential CE hours in October! Mark your calendars now - education will be Thursday, October 8th and Friday, October 9th at The Riverside Hotel in Boise, Idaho! This is a new venue for us - we’d love to see you there!
If you are interested in helping plan some local education in your area of Idaho, please let me know! This was something we tried to do this quarterly across Idaho prior to 2020 - I would love to be a support to you in planning anything! It can be as simple as a dinner with a contact lens brand with education on increasing your annual supply sales.
As always, I encourage you to become certified in your area of practice at your office - there is a certification for everyone - from billers, to techs, to opticians! Perhaps your office offers a raise with certification - get that raise!! If you would like to know more on the different certifications, please email me at iop.para.cc@gmail.com.
Working hard to bring you some top tier education,
Tami Arnett, CPOA, ABOC
IOP Paraoptometric Committee Chair
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IOP Annual Congress & Membership Meeting
It was great seeing so many of you at Congress in October! We had another successful year with over 150 ODs, 60 paraoptometic staff members, and over 45 exhibitors. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Also, thank you to the members who took the time to attend our Annual Membership Meeting—we truly appreciate your participation and engagement. However, attendance was notably low this year, and we hope to see more members involved moving forward. Your presence, feedback, and ideas are essential to the strength and success of our association.
To better understand how we can improve our annual event, please complete this survey.
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Do you need any last-minute CE before the end of the year?
CE Potpourri 2025: Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 11:00 am – 5:30 pm ET | Zoom Webinar
Have you visited our website recently? Here's what you'll find;
New podcast just for Ophthalmic Reimbursement
- Stay current with industry changes
- Learn from leading experts in ophthalmic coding
- Discover practical solutions to common billing challenges
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Click to listen to Ophthalmology Reimbursed
As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with your questions, comments, and concerns.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Lisa White
IOP Executive Director
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2026 IOP Annual Congress
October 8-10, Riverside Hotel, Boise
2027 IOP Annual Congress
April 29 - May 1, Coeur d'Alene Resort
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Casey Eye Institute Survey Request | |
Genetic counselors at Casey Eye Institute are initiating a new research project. The Casey Eye institute is a leader in inherited retinal dystrophy research with a team of ophthalmologists, genetic counselors, low vision rehabilitation specialists, and clinical research scientists. They are hoping to learn about other eye care providers' current management of genetic indications. Please consider participating and sharing with other ocular providers.
We are surveying optometrists and ophthalmologists who have worked with at least one patient with a suspected inherited retinal disease about their practices providing genetic education, discussing and/or ordering genetic testing, and referring patients to genetic counselors. We aim to describe the quality of these practices and understand the current barriers to working with genetic counselors.
Participation in this study includes completing an anonymous, electronic survey estimated to take about 5-10 minutes. Please contact Maggie Stuhlreyer, MS, CGC at stuhlrey@ohsu.edu or Rebecca Clark, MS, CGC at clarkreb@ohsu.edu for additional information.
Survey link: https://octri.ohsu.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=R3RMYE8KPK37ARL4
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