AOA Support for ODs Impacted by Change Healthcare Cyberattack
Since the incident on Feb. 21, reports suggest the disruption is costing health providers as much as $1 billion a day and affects the third-party payment systems that almost half of U.S. health care relies upon.
In ongoing efforts to bring relief to providers shook by the attack, the AOA is calling on the National Governor’s Association and its member governors to issue interim payments to impacted doctors and to ensure that practices can continue providing needed care to Americans across the country.
Furthermore, Optometry Cares® —The AOA Foundation has announced that Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR) will recognize the cybersecurity attack as an eligible disaster, according to its current criteria. Grants of up to $4,000 will be awarded through this initiative to AOA members and up to $1,000 for nonmember doctors of optometry.
“We hope this recognition addresses the needs of our AOA members as they maneuver this crisis,” says Belinda R. Starkey, O.D., Optometry Cares president and AOA trustee.
Since its inception in 2005, OFDR has been a vital resource for doctors of optometry facing emergencies, ensuring continuity of patient care during times of crisis. Whether responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or the Hawaii wildfires of last year, Optometry Cares has consistently rallied to provide assistance to the optometric community.
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Licensing Board Consolidation Bill
Senator Chris Elliott has introduced legislation, SB224, that would consolidate the administrative functions of many of the occupational licensing boards in the State of Alabama and place them in a newly created Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing under the Department of Labor. The Alabama Board of Optometry is included in this bill with 37 other licensing boards. We are asking that you contact your Senator and Representative to oppose this legislation.
As the bill is currently written, the Board of Optometry would be forced to assign all its rights, duties, assets, employees, records, liabilities and property to the new Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing Agency. The Commissioner of the Department of Labor would appoint one executive director for all the consolidated boards and that new director would “possess all powers necessary and proper to provide administrative support and oversight to each board” including setting all fees and issuing all licenses. The fees collected will no longer be allocated in an account for the use of the Alabama Board of Optometry but will be deposited into the Occupational Licensing Fund.
It is important that all optometrists contact their Senator and Representative and urge them to oppose SB 224. You can find contact information at the links below:
Don't know who your legislator is? Find out HERE
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Bill to Remove Sales Tax from Ophthalmic Materials
Rep. Mark Shirey has introduced legislation that would remove state sales tax from prescription ophthalmic materials. The bill, HB282, has been referred to the House Ways and Means Education Committee. Under this bill, optometrists and ophthalmologists would still collect sales tax on non-prescription items (such as sunglasses), no state sales tax would be collected for prescription materials.
For a copy of the bill, click HERE
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Medicaid Records Form
It is the Medicaid provider’s responsibility to collect all information from the requestor regarding the purpose and nature of the information being requested and submit this information to Medicaid. Once the form is faxed, the provider should release the requested information to the recipient as Medicaid will no longer provide a response to the provider.
Providers are to ensure that all HIPAA Privacy and Security rules are met regarding an individual’s “right of access to inspect and obtain a copy of protected health information about the individual” (as stated in 45 C.F.R. §164.524).
If you should have any questions regarding this ALERT, please contact Zeffie Smith at (334) 242-5302 or Codie Rowland at (334) 242-5248.
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Golden Opportunity Award offers three $50,000 independent practice scholarships
Doctors of optometry can apply to receive one of three $50,0000 scholarships to help realize their first independent practice as part of a new Golden Opportunity Award.
Applications will be accepted through Sunday, March 31.
The Golden Opportunity Award places particular emphasis on individuals from underrepresented groups within the optometric profession or those who aspire to establish practices in underserved areas. By prioritizing inclusivity and community impact, the award aims to foster a more diverse and equitable landscape within the field of optometry.
Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation, in collaboration with the Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative (PERC) Alliance, launched the Golden Opportunity Award to provide substantial support for emerging optometric professionals, as well as to honor the legacy of Dr. David Golden. An esteemed figure in the optometric community, Dr. Golden was known for his unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication in advancing the field. In celebration of his memory and profound impact, the Golden Opportunity Award aims to carry forward his spirit of fostering the growth and success of future leaders in independent optometry.
Inaugural awards will be announced at Optometry’s Meeting, June 19-22, in Nashville, Tennessee, coinciding with Dr. Golden’s birthday.
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PO Box 240907 • Montgomery, AL 36124-0907
©2018 Alabama Optometric Association
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