|
Spring 2025 Issue
- President's Message
- Member News
- Upcoming Events
- Why it's Risky for ODs to Only Compare Price of Malpractice Insurance
- Legislative Updates
| |
Dear Colleagues:
Spring reminds us that renewal is part of progress—and this year, that message is more relevant than ever for our profession.
Across the country and in Massachusetts, we are seeing renewed efforts to marginalize the work of non- MD healthcare providers. The so-called “Not a Doctor” legislation is part of a broader trend aiming to restrict how highly trained professionals like optometrists describe their credentials and roles. These bills seek to limit our ability to use the title “doctor,” despite our doctoral-level education, national board certification, and critical role in front-line healthcare We are doctors of optometry. Patients trust us. Communities need us, and we have every right to accurately represent who we are and what we do. This spring, our association is doubling down on advocacy. We are engaging legislators and equipping our members with tools to respond, ensuring our voice is not only heard—but respected.
At the same time, let’s not lose sight of the tremendous strides we continue to make. Scope expansion initiatives, cross-disciplinary partnerships, and technological integration are redefining the reach of optometry across the nation. The profession is not shrinking, it’s rising, and your involvement is what sustains that rise.
In this season of growth, I ask you to stay engaged. Talk to your patients about your training. Support advocacy efforts. Mentor emerging Doctors of Optometry and Optometry students. Foster their leadership. They are who will carry our mission into the next decade, and the future of our profession depends on their success. I want to take this moment to congratulate our newest optometrists who have graduated this month from MCPHS and NECO, and around the country. I look forward to working with you to continue to enhance and protect our profession.
As always, I thank all MSO members for your unwavering commitment to our patients, your communities, and this profession we proudly serve. Together, we are shaping a stronger, smarter, and more connected optometry.
Sincerely,
David Metsch, OD
MSO President
| | REMINDER: Any member that has not paid their dues as of May 31, 2025 will automatically be terminated from the membership rolls. To make sure your dues are paid and up to date, visit your member profile. This is also a great opportunity to make sure your contact information and place of employment is up to date for the Find a Doctor feature on our website! | |
Putting Your Membership to Work!
Did you know that as a member you are entitled to 1-hour of legal consultation annually with the MSO attorneys? This is a great opportunity to review contracts, and negotiate terms with your employer or a potential business partner. Contact the MSO for details.
MSO Members also have access to savings with our partners CECOP USA, and Spring Insurance for all of your insurance needs.
| | |
Working Advantage is your go-to destination for exclusive savings on summer travel, shopping, and entertainment! Experience the magic of Disneyland. Enjoy adult tickets at child prices when you purchase 3+ day tickets to the Disneyland Resort— perfect for summer family fun. Book your summer escape. Get up to 60% off hotel reservations and save up to 20% on flights to your favorite destinations. Whether it’s a quick weekend trip or a long-awaited vacation, your journey starts here. Cruise into summer. Receive up to $1,000 onboard credit on top cruise lines, adding extra value to your voyage with perks like specialty dining, excursions, and more. Don’t miss the chance to explore these featured discounts! Sign up with the MSO member code MSOPTPERKS today!
| | |
Get Involved
Are you looking for a way to get more involved with the MSO and make new connections? The MSO is looking for a new Boston District Chair! District Chairs are voting members of the MSO Executive Board and are encouraged to provide opportunities for regional events and networking. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate leadership and enhance your career as well as contribute to your state association. Interested volunteers should contact the MSO or complete the online interest form.
We Want to Hear from You
To ensure our future educational offerings align with your clinical and professional development needs, we are conducting a brief educational needs assessment. Your feedback is essential in helping us identify key topics, formats, and resources that best support your practice.
Please take a few minutes to share your input by completing our Continuing Education Planning Survey. Together, we can shape high-impact learning opportunities that are relevant, timely, and forward-thinking. Thank you for your time and valuable insights!
| | This event is FREE to MSO Members in good standing! Reserve your seat and purchase additional seats for family & friends! | |
Mark Your Calendar: MSO Fall CE & EXPO 2025!
Join us this fall for an event that educates, celebrates, and connects our optometric community!
🕒 4 Hours of COPE-accredited Continuing Education including your:
- 1 Hour of Glaucoma Education
- 1 Hour of Opioid Education
But there’s more than just CE!
💼 Explore the EXPO Hall - Meet leading vendors, demo the latest tech, and discover tools to enhance your practice. Giveaways, exclusive discounts, and raffles await!
📸 Complimentary Professional Headshots – Elevate your personal brand with a fresh, high-quality photo.
🏆 MSO Annual Awards & Student Scholarship Presentation – Celebrate the achievements of colleagues and future leaders in optometry.
| | |
Why it's Risky for ODs to Only Compare Price of Malpractice Insurance
Choosing a malpractice policy is a critical task for all doctors of optometry. Getting a competitive rate is important, but only looking at price can be risky. Instead of only comparing cost, make sure you pay attention to the key aspects of your malpractice insurance policy that will protect you from costly claims and allow you to practice with peace of mind: scope of coverage, policy portability, and the expertise and customer service of the provider.
Not all malpractice policies are created equal. When choosing a malpractice insurance policy, it is essential that a doctor of optometry ensures the policy they choose matches up to the treatment they provide—there’s no guarantee that the procedures you perform on a daily basis will be covered under all malpractice policies. Most policies include exclusions, which outline instances in which a provider would not cover claims. It’s important to take the time to identify any potential gaps in your malpractice coverage. If you need help identifying exclusions in your policy, consider a policy review— a free benefit
for AOA/MSO members.
The portability of a malpractice policy also matters. Some policies are written to only cover work done directly for the employer who owns the policy and to tasks specifically listed in one’s job description. If you work in multiple practices or volunteer in a clinic, for instance, you may require additional coverage to protect you outside the scope of your employer-provided coverage.
Finally, customer service and industry knowledge should be an essential part of your insurance provider. Your provider’s customer service department should be able to answer common questions that optometrists would have regarding their policy. Choosing an insurance provider that has a background working with optometric professionals ensures that your insurance company is up to date on changes in the profession, scope of practice coverage, and has experience dealing with prior cases involving optometry. It’s also important to have easy access to insurance documents, including your certificate of insurance.
AOA members can submit their current malpractice insurance policy from any insurance provider for a complimentary malpractice insurance policy review from AOAExcel’s endorsed malpractice insurance provider, Lockton Affinity. Doctors of optometry have relied on Lockton Affinity for over ten years to provide insurance coverage tailor made for optometrists and their practices. The Lockton Affinity malpractice insurance has multiple benefits that may be difficult to find elsewhere, including guaranteed full-scope coverage that automatically expands with your state’s scope of practice and a customer service department trained to understand and answer questions specific to the field of optometry. Learn more about malpractice insurance and obtain a Quick Quote in seconds.
| | |
|
We are tracking the following bills:
This legislation amends the licensing law (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 112; §66 et. seq.) for optometrists to update outdated language, licensure requirements, gender references, penalties, advertising provisions and references to certain agencies. As well, the legislation implements a uniform system of licensing for optometrists – preventing older license types from being issued to new applicants. In doing this, patients will be able to rely on the fact that any optometrist they see has the same level of qualifications and practice authority. The act will reduce the administrative burden on the DPH.
Requires the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish, maintain, and operate a computerized registry of children’s vision screening and eye care. The registry shall record the results of vision and eye health screenings and follow-up eye care. Also requires the creation of a council to advise the DPH on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation and evaluation of children’s vision and eye health in the Commonwealth, including but not limited to the universal children’s vision surveillance registry, public health campaigns designed to encourage improved children’s eye health, and expansion of screening systems to other age groups.
To successfully advocate for future scope of practice changes, we must grow our grassroots network. Please consider joining the MSO/AOA Keyperson Network.
| | | | Contact our MSO Legislative Committee Chair, Dr. Jeanne Hopkins, if you would like to learn how you can be part of our efforts! | | MOPAC solicits contributions from individuals, mostly optometrists, for the purpose of supporting legislative efforts in Massachusetts. MOPAC was formed by optometrists and is dedicated to advancing the availability and quality of eye care and ensuring the continued enhancement of the optometric profession through legislation. | | |
MSO Partner Sponsored Content
Alcon's New PRECISION7 Lens
| | | | |
