Opticians Association of America

(information copied with OAA permission)

 

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March 5, 2010
 
Introducing VisionWeb's OAA Royalty Program 
 
Opticians rely on VisionWeb for eyecare product ordering because it's convenient and efficient. And now opticians have another reason to use VisionWeb for ordering - VisionWeb's OAA Royalty Program!
 
VisionWeb's OAA Royalty Program provides royalties to the OAA and state associations for the orders that OAA members place on VisionWeb. These royalties will be used to help support programs and defray membership costs.

VisionWeb Royalty

 CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

 
 
How Do I Participate? computer (2)
 
All OAA members who use VisionWeb are eligible to participate. To register, simply log in to www.visionweb.com and click the OAA Royalty Program registration button. Once you register, all orders placed by any member of your staff will count toward your practice's order total for the annual earning period, which runs from April - March each year.
 
 
Get Started Today green light
 
Register now so you can start earning royalties today! Ordering on VisionWeb is free for eyecare providers. If you don't have a VisionWeb account, you can create one at www.visionweb.com.
 
(800) 874-6601 or customerservice@visionweb.com.
 
VisionWeb is proud to be a partner of the Opticians Association of America, supporting the people who use our services every day.
OPTICIANS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
 
4064 E Fir Hill Drive
Lakeland, TN 38002
 
Tel. (901) 388-2423
Fax: (901) 388-2348
 
 
 
Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, OAA is the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests.

Under OAA's very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to consumers, as well as owners / managers of retail optical firms, state optician societies and suppliers to professional optician find a common goal in Advancing America's Opticians. 
 
OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development.
 
OAA Partners Side Bar
 
PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT YOU,
 THE AMERICAN OPTICIAN!
 
 Click Here for Information on OAA's Partners

 

 

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FEBRUARY 24, 2010
 
CMA Picture
FROM THE DESK OF CHRIS ALLEN, OAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
 
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) is off to a fantastic start this year. OAA recently held its 25th Annual State Leadership Conference, which was considered by many to be the most productive conference in 25 years. Our membership continues to grow as more and more opticians and optical dispensaries are seeing the value in belonging to a national organization that represents them on many different levels.
 
With the continued expansion of our membership in mind, it is with great excitement that the Opticians Association of America announces that three additional State Associations have joined OAA as members for 2010. The Certified Opticians Association of Texas, the Opticians Association of Indiana and the Opticians Association of Virginia have all recently joined the other 20 Member State Associations as a part of the OAA family.
 
It is important to understand that state members and OAA form a powerful team, each contributing to the strength and well-being of the other. In concert with all of the member States, OAA is able to offer valuable resources and information that benefit our entire industry. Each State Association brings something different to the group, which is what makes our member States so valuable to future of opticianry.
 
If your State Association is not a member of OAA, please consider joining. We are confident that everyone can agree that there is a need for a strong national organization and OAA hopes your State Association will join us in our efforts to build a brighter future for opticians everywhere. It is only through unity and the combining our abilities that we will continue to grow and strengthen as an industry. Your membership, fellow opticians from around the country and future generations will thank you.
 
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF
STATE MEMBER BENEFITS

TX, VA, IN

Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, OAA is the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests.

Under OAA's very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to consumers, as well as owners / managers of retail optical firms, state optician societies and suppliers to professional optician find a common goal in Advancing America's Opticians.
 
OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development.
 
OAA Partners Side Bar
no glare 
 
 PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT YOU, THE AMERICAN OPTICIAN
 
 
National Opticians Convention
September 16-19, 2010
Duke Energy Center 
Cincinnati, Ohio 
 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
 

2010 State Leadership ConferenceJeanine LDR Chair 

The air was crisp, clear, and electrified with excitement as the Opticians Association of America (OAA) 2010 State Leadership Conference kicked off in Memphis, Tennessee.  The attendees were exhilarated with anticipation at the start of the 25th Anniversary of the State Leadership Conference.  It promised to be one to remember.
 
The Leadership Conference is the only event that attracts such a large group of state leaders to learn from one another, make new connections within the industry and obtain the latest techniques in association management.
 
Under the theme "25 Year of Success and Leadership," the leaders from over 25 states attended educational seminars and topic specific breakout sessions that addressed subjects from branding and leadership development to finding the perfect speaker and strategic planning.  In addition to learning from presenters, the over 80 state leaders immersed themselves in networking events to help build better synergy throughout North America.  These interactive social events were designed to help create a strong grassroots network within the industry, so that the attendees would continue to communicate and share ideas with one another regularly to ensure success in their home states in the years to come.
 
Many of the conference attendees left sharing their thoughts on the conference, "Our State Delegations have been attending this conference for many years and the 25th Anniversary of the OAA State Leadership Conference was the best ever.  It was concise, to the point, and shared very valuable information that we will be able to take back to our state organizations and to become more successful.  We would highly recommend that every state leader should participate in this conference if you truly want to better your state organization going forward in the next 25 years."
 

2010 State Leader of the Year Pat Kuhl LDR

Each year, the Opticians Association of America names its State Leader of the Year and the 2010 winner was Pat Kuhl of Ohio.
 
This year's leadership repentant has many years of experience and service in the optical field.  She has been involved in many facets of leadership within her state association.  Pat has also been significantly involved with both OAA's State Leadership Conference and the National Opticians Convention. Through her volunteer efforts, she has been a steadfast voice for opticians both nationally and at a state level.
 
Mark Cloer, a former State Leader of the Year winner, had this to say about Pat Kuhl, "Her leadership skills have truly made a difference for opticians everywhere.  It is not often you find a leader who makes personal sacrifices and gives so freely and generously with the sole purpose of enhancing opticians throughout the United States."
 
Congratulations Pat!  You make us all very proud!
 

President's Service AwardsService Awards

In a special ceremony at the 2010 State Leadership Conference, Diane Charles (President of OAA) took the time to give two President Service Awards to Curt Duff of Kentucky and Gaye Wilson of Louisiana.
 
These prestigious awards are awarded based on years of service and dedication to the Opticians Association of America.  Regarding the distinguished winners, Diane Charles had this to say, "Both Curt and Gaye have giving countless years of extraordinary service to our National Organization and OAA is proud to honor them in this special way."
 

2010 Newsletter of the Year 2010 Newsletter

Each year, the Opticians Association of America presents an award to the state association with the best newsletter.  The award is based on the appearance, quality, content, and its overall contribution to the field of opticianry.  There were many excellent newsletter submissions for this year; however one newsletter in particular stood out above the rest.
 
The Opticians Association of America is proud to announce that the Opticians Association of Washington is this year's winner of the coveted title of Newsletter of the Year.
 
What is the Opticians Association of America (OAA)?

Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, OAA is the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests.

Under OAA's very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to consumers, as well as owners / managers of retail optical firms, state optician societies and suppliers to professional optician find a common goal in Advancing America's Opticians.
 
OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development.

 
THANK YOU TO OUR 2010 PARTNERS WHO HELPED TO MAKE THE 25TH ANNUAL STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE A HUGE SUCCESS!
 
Partners 2010 (side banner)
PLEASE SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT YOU, THE AMERICAN OPTICIAN!
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OAA'S PARTNERS OR INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A PARTNER
 
Vision of Hope 1
 
In recent years, the Opticians Association of America has held a silent auction and raffle.  This year the OAA Board of Directors agreed that half of the funds raised will be used to start the Vision of Hope Program.  The Vision of Hope is going to be established as the charitable arm of OAA.  Tom Hicks had this to say about the new program, "It is important for OAA and our members to give back to the community.  The Vision of Hope program goes way beyond the financial element.  It will also help opticians throughout the country find opportunities to use their skill set to assist those who without our help will not have the ability to receive proper eyecare."
 
The vision of this inspiring program is to help opticians find ways to get involved in community service locally, nationally and globally.  Once the Vision of Hope is fully established, more information will become available on the OAA website (
www.oaa.org). 
 
 

 

 

 

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February 11, 2010

Opticians Association of America (OAA) Immediate Past President, Tom Hicks selected to serve as a Director on the Foundation for Eye Health Awareness Board.
 
The Foundation for Eye Health Awareness was created to increase the public's awareness of the importance of eye health through a nationwide messaging campaign that directs people to take better care of their eyes.  The Foundation was formed as a result of the Eye Health Summit held last summer in Chicago.  About 125 leaders from business, professional organizations, nonprofits, trade associations and the government came together to begin the process of building a strong consensus among interested parties/stakeholders in the community on a public health/eye health message, an implementation plan to deliver the message and integrated support to sustain it.
 
The Foundation was officially incorporated as a 501c3 organization in October 2009.  Optical industry veteran R. Michael (Mike) Daley began working as the President in December 2009.  The Foundation for Eye Health Awareness board of directors has broad representation from across the optical community.  Board members provide guidance for current and future activities.  

VDAY XXX

 

2010 National Opticians Convention 

SAVE THE DATE

 
September 16 - 19, 2010
Duke Energy Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
Held in conjunction with the
 2010 ABO-NCLE National Education Conference.
 
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
 
 

 

 

The Opticians Association of America
February 3, 2010

Message President

The optical industry can be a confusing place for both the novice and veteran optician.  For those of us who volunteer countless hours to great optical organizations and associations, we often forget that many in the field of opticianry have little understanding to what each organization actually does for our industry. 
 
With this in mind, the Opticians Association of America is going to send out a series of eBlasts in an effort to explain in very simple terms what the organizations are and how they impact the optical industry.
 
It is extremely important that all of these organizations are working in a unified fashion in order to better serve you, the American Optician.  This month OAA will be highlighting the Commission of Opticianry Accreditation (COA).
 
Diane Charles
President
Opticians Association of America

COA

Director of Accreditation: Ellen Stoner
Headquarters: Indiana
Website:
http://www.coaccreditation.com/
  
The mission of the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation is to foster excellence in opticianry education by setting standards, assessing educational effectiveness, and identifying those academic programs that meet the standards, in order to aid programs to produce competent graduates who will provide professional services to the public.
 
There are 10 members appointed by the Opticians Association of America (OAA), National Federation of Optical Schools (NFOS), and National Academy of Opticians (NAO) to serve as Commissioners.
 
The Opticians Association of America's appointments are filled by:
 
Amy Lewis of Massachusetts
Thomas Blair Jr. of Georgia
Jayne Weinberger of New York
Jerryanne Himes of Arkansas

COA's ultimate goal is quality education for all opticians in each of our schools.
 
 

marketplace correct

 
  Have You Paid Your 
2010 Membership Dues? 
 
The Opticians Association of America wants to thank you for your continued membership.  Many of you have already renewed your membership, but for those who have had not yet had the opportunity please do so as soon as possible. 
 
OAA will be mailing out our 2nd Renewal Notifications over the next few weeks; however you may join online through our website and help to save OAA hundreds of dollars by not having such a large mailing expense.  You may also renew your membership by downloading this following document and mailing or faxing it in (click here for membership form).
 
Your consideration is greatly appreciated and the money saved will be invested in our member services and programs.
 
 
Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, OAA is the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests.

Under OAA's very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to consumers, as well as owners / managers of retail optical firms, state optician societies and suppliers to professional optician find a common goal in Advancing America's Opticians.
 
OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development.

 
 
2010 PARTNERS
 
Silver Level
 
Vision Web
 
Bronze Level
 
Essilor
 
 HOYA
 
 Signature Eyewear
 
 Friends of OAA
 
Alcon
 
 Aspex Eyewear
 
 ClearVision
 
 Luxottica
 
 Celebration Sponsors
 
C & E Vision Buying Group 
 
  Eyes of Faith
 
 Luzerne Optical Labs
 
 Tura
 
 Walman Optical
 
 Please support those companies that invest and believe in opticians!
 
 Opticians Association of America
 
 4064 E Fir Hill Dr.
 
Lakeland, TN 38002
 
T (901) 388-2423
 
F (901) 388-2348
 

 

 

Latest Updates on Post-op Cataract Eyewear

Medicare DME Suppliers Newsletter

 
 
 
 
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TESTIMONIALS...
 
 
"The DME Medicare  Newsletter is a very  valuable resource 
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recommend 
subscribing."
 
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Dir. of Retail Operations
Northwest Eye Clinic
Maple Grove, Minnesota
 
 
  
 
     "Pam is an     expert on coding,
billing and claim submission....
she has all the
up-to-date DME information. 
She's  great!"

Cynthia Delgado, Optician
Family Vision Center
Wharton, Texas
 
 
 
  
 “Our cataract
eyewear claims
were being denied resulting
in thousands of
dollars not being collected.   Pam straightened it
all out for us.”
 

Mark Sczepanski, MD
North Dakota Eye Clinic
Grand Forks, N. Dakota
 
 
 
 
 
Special Edition..........December 8, 2009
 
To:  DME Suppliers who received notice
from CMS regarding a Surety Bond
 
Re:  Action required within 30 days or
Medicare Billing Privileges revoked
 
    Many practices have reported receiving a letter
from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
in November indicating that their Medicare Supplier
number for DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment,
Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies) would be revoked
effective 30 days from the date of the letter.
If this revocation goes through, the supplier would be
barred from re-enrolling in Medicare for 1 year.
 
    The reason for this action is "failure to submit the
surety bond to the NSC (National Supplier Clearing-
house) as required."
 
    Immediate Action is Critical.  Here's what you
should do.   
   
    If you have purchased a surety bond prior to
Oct 2, 2009, contact NSC via email NSC.REVOCATIONS@palmettogba.com.
 
    If you have not purchased a surety bond,
you must do so  A.S.A.P. and submit it to
NSC along with a CAP (Corrective Action Plan).
 
    This may allow you to be re-considered so that
your supplier number will not be revoked.
 
    These notifications from CMS are being received
by ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians.
While MD's and OD's who have opticals (that are
DME suppliers) may have thought they were exempt
from the surety bond requirement, this is not necessarily
the case.  It depends upon how the optical supplier's
business is set-up and how it is registered in the
NSC supplier directory and the NPPES (National
Plan & Provider Enumeration System).   
 
    Time is of the essence.  In order to meet the 30 day
deadline, you must get your information to NSC as
soon as possible.  If you do not meet the 30 day
deadline, you can request a reconsideration, which
will be conducted by a CMS appointed hearing officer.
Reconsideration requests must be submitted within
60 days of the postmark of the CMS letter.
 
Contact us if you need help!
 
We assist in expediting filing
for your surety bond and in the
preparation of the
CAP(Corrective Action Plan)
required by CMS 
 
Call:   860-669-9057
or
  

 
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What You Need to Know    When You Need to Know It

 

 

 

The Opticians Association of America believes in Opticianry as a profession. Thomas Blair, Jr. of Georgia drafted the "Title Protection Act". The Opticians Association of Washington adopted this resolution at our fall meeting. Please read it in its entirety. Most of the resolution we already do because of our licensure. The one piece that is new to us: wearing a name tag that promotes you as a "Licensed Dispensing Optician". It is a small way to promote who and what you do, to the consumer. Opticians frequently ask for advertising to educate the consumer. This is a way to do just that.

Six states, licensed or not, have also adopted the Title Protection Act just since September 2009; Washington was the first.

 

Resolution

 

  The Title Protection Act for the Profession of Opticianry

 

H. The Profession of Opticianry

8-2: Use of the Title of Optician

    Whereas, the title Optician is widely used by persons in the field of opticianry, without legitimate credentialing of any kind; and

             Whereas use of the title Optician by non-credentialed personnel misleadingly creates an unwarranted presumption of competence to the unknowing and unsuspecting public; and

             Whereas consumers have the right to expect competent service and delivery of competently crafted eyewear products that are functional to their needs; and

             Whereas the inappropriate use of the title Optician discredits conscientious professional Opticians who validate their expertise at the state and national level by obtaining and maintaining credentialing that attests to a minimum basic competence, now therefore be it;

             Resolved that use of the title Optician shall be reserved exclusively to and for persons who have - at a minimum - successfully passed either the American Board of Opticianry or National Contact Lenses Examination basic competency exam or substantially equivalent state examinations, and be it further;

             Resolved such credentialing shall be maintained, attesting to an ongoing effort to maintain competence and professionalism, by wearing an appropriate and visible name tag in performing the duties of opticianry and/or contact lenses applications as appropriate.

       (left to right) OAW Past President Glenn Charles, new OAA President Diane Charles, OAW Executive Director Donna Hatch, OAW 2nd Vice President Natalie Frlan

 

SURETY BONDS FOR MEDICARE DMEPOS 

There has been considerable confusion about Medicare’s requirement for Surety Bonds
for DMEPOS, and how this requirement will affect those practices dispensing post-
cataract eyeglasses. We have finally received clarification from CMS. The following 
was provided by ASCRS/ASOA, and has been posted on the National Supplier Clearinghouse 
FAQ website (http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/files/suretybondfaqs
09102009.pdf/$FIle/suretybondfaqs09102009.pdf
). 

Q: How does an optometrist or ophthalmologist who dispenses eyeglasses qualify for 
the physician exemption?

A: An optometrist or ophthalmologist who dispenses eyeglasses can qualify for the 
physician exemption if the glasses are furnished only to his/her own patients as part 
of his/her own service. For purposes of this exemption, a "patient" is someone who, 
for instance, receives an eye exam or other diagnostic test from the physician prior 
to receiving the glasses. The term "patient" does not include, however, a person who 
walks into the physician's office with a prescription for glasses that was issued by 
another physician and simply receives the glasses without any sort of examination or 
test being furnished.

The same general principle applies to an enrolled optical center owned by an 
optometrist or ophthalmologist. The center can qualify for the physician exemption 
only if: (1) the shop and the physician's practice are under/within the same TIN 
and business structure (e.g., part of the same corporation), and (2) the glasses are 
furnished only to the optometrist/ophthalmologist's own patients as part of his/her 
own service. The term "patient," again, would not include a person who enters the 
optical center with a prescription for glasses that was issued by another physician 
and simply receives the glasses without any sort of examination or test being 
performed by the optical center. 

In order to qualify as exempt from the Surety Bond requirement, the practice must 
provide post-cataract eyeglasses only to its own patients. “Own patients” have been 
defined as those who receive some professional service from the physician in the 
practice prior to receiving the glasses. 

What has not been clear in the past is that the optical dispensary must be part of 
the same business structure (e.g., corporation) and under the same tax ID number. 
This may be a problem for some dispensaries that have been set up as separate entities. 

Unless you specifically qualify for the exemption, you must get a Surety Bond before 
October 2, 2009. According to the CMS web site: 

You should contact one of the sureties identified on the U.S. Department of Treasury's 
“Listing of Certified (Surety Bond) Companies;” the Web site for this listing is 
www.fms.treas.gov/c570/c570_a-z.html. For purposes of the surety bond requirement, 
these sureties are considered “authorized” sureties, and are therefore the only 
sureties from which a bond may be obtained. 

If you are required to get a Surety Bond and fail to do so, your optical dispensary 
will have its Medicare supplier number suspended and your claims for post-cataract 
eyeglasses will not be paid. You will be required to re-apply for a new supplier 
number, and any post-cataract eyeglasses dispensed until that number is issued 
cannot be billed to Medicare by you or by the patient. 

Finally, some practices will decide that the requirements for Medicare coverage of 
post-cataract eyeglasses are too onerous, and that the revenue from this segment of 
the business is not sufficient to justify the cost and aggravation. Your dispensary 
can choose to dis-enroll from Medicare without affecting the Medicare status of the 
practice. 

 

 

Opticians Association of America
Legislative Update - September 2009
 

DMEPOS SURETY BOND - OPTICIANS ARE NOT EXEMPT

 

DMEPOS Surety Bond and Accreditation Requirement for Medicare Billing Privileges
 
Per final regulations implemented by CMS, DMEPOS suppliers will be required to become accredited to obtain and maintain Medicare billing privileges by October 1st of this year, others may be required to post a surety bond by October 2nd to secure Medicare billing privileges and most will be required to provide both.
 
Frank Whelan, the CMS agency administrator for the new requirements, informed the Opticians Association of America on September 9, 2009 that opticians are not exempt from the Medicare suppliers' surety bond requirement due Oct. 1st for DMEPOS.  However, opticians are exempt from accreditation.
 
What you need to do if you are in the process of being accredited or obtaining a surety bond:
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages all DMEPOS suppliers currently in the midst of the accreditation process to correct all outstanding deficiencies on your accreditation report, so that a site visit or accreditation decision can be rendered by the October 1, 2009 deadline.  CMS also encourages all DMEPOS suppliers, subject to the bonding requirements, to obtain a surety bond. 
 
While the DMEPOS Accrediting Organization will notify the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) that you are accredited, you will need to notify the NSC that you have obtained your surety bond.  When submitting your DMEPOS surety bond to the NSC, you should submit sections 1, 2A1, 12, and either 15 (if you are the authorized official) or 16 (if you are the delegated official) of the Medicare enrollment application (CMS-855S).  By submitting the required sections of the CMS-855S, you will help to ensure that NSC is able to correctly associate your DMEPOS surety bond to your enrollment record.

For additional information regarding DMEPOS accreditation or the provisions associated with a surety bond, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll
 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the surety bond requirement can be found on the NSC's FAQ page at www.palmettogba.com/nsc.  
 

FTC "RED FLAGS" RULE

 
The "Red Flags" Rule: With identity theft on the rise in the healthcare industry the FTC has mandated a new rule to protect you and your customers.
 
WHO MUST COMPLY according to the Federal Trade Commission?

Every health care organization and practice must review its billing and payment procedures to determine if it's covered by the Red Flags Rule. Whether the law applies to you isn't based on your status as a health care provider, but rather on whether your activities fall within the law's definition of two key terms: "creditor" and "covered account."

Creditor Defined: Health care providers may be subject to the Rule if they are "creditors." Although you may not think of your practice as a "creditor" in the traditional sense of a bank or mortgage company, the law defines "creditor" to include any entity that regularly defers payments for goods or services or arranges for the extension of credit. For example, you are a creditor if you regularly bill patients after the completion of services, including for the remainder of medical fees not reimbursed by insurance. Similarly, health care providers who regularly allow patients to set up payment plans after services have been rendered are creditors under the Rule. Health care providers are also considered creditors if they help patients get credit from other sources - for example, if they distribute and process applications for credit accounts tailored to the health care industry.
On the other hand, health care providers who require payment before or at the time of service are not creditors under the Red Flags Rule. In addition, if you accept only direct payment from Medicaid or similar programs where the patient has no responsibility for the fees, you are not a creditor. Simply accepting credit cards as a form of payment at the time of service does not make you a creditor under the Rule.

Covered Account Defined: The second key term "covered account," is defined as a consumer account that allows multiple payments or transactions or any other account with a reasonably foreseeable risk of identity theft. The accounts you open and maintain for your patients are generally "covered accounts" under the law. If your organization or practice is a "creditor" with "covered accounts," you must develop a written Identity Theft Prevention Program to identify and address the red flags that could indicate identity theft in those accounts.

As a practical matter, most businesses and organizations that provide products and services to their customers and then bill them later are covered by the Rule.
Note: If you're covered by the Rule, your program must:

1. Identify the kinds of red flags that are relevant to your practice
2. Explain your process for detecting them
3. Describe how you'll respond to red flags to prevent and mitigate identity theft
4. Spell out how you'll keep your program current.
 
The FTC provides a do it yourself form for a Red Flag program at the following link http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/redflagsrule/RedFlags_forLowRiskBusinesses.pdf 
 
 
 
Christopher M. Allen
Executive Director 
Opticians Association of America
4064 E Fir Hill Drive
Lakeland, Tennessee 38002 
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Opticians Association of America Newsletter
Legislative Update April 2009
   
In order to maintain transparency with our membership, memos detailing the various ways the Opticians Association of America (OAA) has continued to fight for the advancement of optician's rights will be emailed in regular intervals by the legislative committee.
 
In union with other member states, OAA has recently lent support for legislative bills that expand privileges, educational opportunities, and professionalism amongst opticians.  One such attempt was Pennsylvania's House Bill 319 Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice and Licensure Act[1]. Although not passed, legislators in states like Pennsylvania are becoming more aware of the presence of an organized industry of united opticians and in time bills like this one will pass.
 
Again working with more member states, OAA has recently provided model licensing and regulatory legislation for states like Oregon[2] in order to assist those states with planned grass roots initiatives and lobbying efforts.
 
OAA would also like to thank Thomas Blair, Jr., President of Optician Association of Georgia, who has consistently maintained open dialogue on countless issues of importance to opticians not only in Georgia, but nationally. We use this congratulatory remark to inspire other member states and opticians to contact us more frequently with the continual hope of uniting our causes and sharing our experiences.
 
I will leave this memo with a blissful revelation of sorts. It appears at University of Missouri St. Louis Optometry School there are students who advocate for the ability for opticians to independently refract[3]. Some guidance was solicited from OAA on what talking points, legislation or relevant information could be obtained on this topic to bolster their position. We offered a few familiar arguments with why opticians should be able to refract along with a brief history of the struggles dealing with scope of practice. The most intriguing argument that could be made however was the fact that hundreds of optometrists and ophthalmologists have been educated in Universities[4] by the very opticians who are barred from practicing said act. Yes, there are opticians that double as professors who teach optometrists how to refract. It is quite ironic certain opticians are relied upon to instruct aspiring optometrists and ophthalmologists, yet are not afforded the right to practice the craft.
 
Best wishes for successful legislative endeavors,
 
OAA Legislative Staff
 

[1] Pennsylvania HB 319 Synopsis: A bill regulating the licensure and practice of ophthalmic dispensing; establishing the State Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers; providing for its powers and duties; and providing penalties.
 
[2] Optician Association of Oregon, C. Dave Lien, President, contacted OAA for additional support on previously discussed grass roots plans.  Also, for those members not in Oregon, feel free to contact OAA so we can assist efforts in your state.
 
[3] I should be honest, it was just one student.
 
[4] University of Mississippi and Pacific University; additional details of the refraction argument can be given per request..


For Legislative Assistance Please Contact Us:
 
Opticians Association of America
4064 E Fir Hill Drive
Lakeland, Tennessee 38002
901-388-2423
Fax 901-388-2348
Email oaa@oaa.org
 
Established in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians, OAA is the only national organization representing opticianry's business, professional, educational,
legislative and regulatory interests.

Under OAA's very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to consumers, as well as owners / managers of retail optical firms, state optician societies and suppliers to professional optician find a common goal in Advancing America's Opticians.
 
OAA fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for professional development. 

 
 

 

 

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ABO Exam Study and Dispensing Training Materials Available

OAA is pleased to announce the availablity of the Certification Review Book for ABO Exam Preparation and the TOPS (Technical Options / Professional Service)Dispensing Training Manual in our Reference Library.
 
These books and other reference materials are available online or by phone  today.  Visit our website at www.oaa.org and be sure to login to receive member pricing.  To order by phone call 703-437-8780 or 800-433-8997. 
 
Certification Review Book
Certification Review Book 
ABO Exam Review Book 
 

Member Price: $40 
 
Non-Member Price: $105
(Includes OAA Membership)
 


Click here to order!
TOPS Manual
 
TOPS Manual 
Dispensing Training Manual
 
 

Member Price: $80 
 
Non-Member Price: $145
(Includes OAA Membership)
 


Click here to order!
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Catherine Langley
Opticians Association of America
703-437-8780

 

The Opticians Association of America (OAA) represents the business and professional interests of the nation's dispensing opticians, the men and women who fill prescriptions, issued by ophthalmologists and optometrists for corrective eyewear, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and ocular prostheses.

OAA is a unified, voluntary, national not-for-profit organization made up of four categories of voting members: retail Optical dispensing firms, state associations of opticians, individual dispensing opticians, and associate members. In addition the category of associate member allows interested industry suppliers to actively support the goals of opticianry. OAA's primary purposes are to foster a broader understanding and acceptance of professional retail optical dispensing as indispensable to the health and welfare of the public and to provide the public with efficient, effective and accurate optical dispensing services.

History and Structure

Founded in 1926 as the Guild of Prescription Opticians of America to represent the interests of retail optical firm owners, the organization worked to secure the rights of dispensing opticians to fit and dispense eyewear directly to the consumer, independent of those who examine eyes and prescribe eyewear. Reorganized in 1972 as the Opticians Association of America the organization for the first time brought together independent retail optical firm owners, optical corporations, state societies of opticians and individual optical dispensers employed in a variety of professional and retail settings.

OAA's positions are established by its Delegate Assembly which represents member firms, member state societies, associate members and individual members. In addition, the Delegate Assembly elects the members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the Association. Directly responsible to the Board, the Association's Executive Director oversees management of OAA activities including the services provided the American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examiners, OAA Foundation. National Committee of State Opticianry Licensing Boards, Opticians Committee for Political Education and the Educational Foundation in Ophthalmic Optics.

Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy

Today, OAA works to insure the continuing availability of the best possible optical dispensing services and to promote and defend the eyewear consumer's right to freedom of choice in obtaining eyewear. Through the courts, OAA successfully fought to have the prescription release rule affirmed as the law applicable in all states. Through its program of legislative and regulatory advocacy, OAA protects and defends its members' rights to be compensated equitably by third party plans such as Medicare. Before state legislatures and the U.S. Congress, OAA is the voice promoting acceptance of opticianry as a qualified, effective partner in the nation's eye care delivery system, and an important competitive balance serving to keep the cost of eyewear within the reach of all.

OAA represents opticians and eyewear consumers before government and other organizations that influence the provision of optical dispensing services. These include the Federal Trade Commission and Health Care Financing Administration.

Consumer Rights/Prescription Release -- In 1994, Washington enacted a Vision Care Consumer Assistance law (VCCA) which is a model other states may emulate. VCCA ensures access to vision care for all consumers by clarifying the content of prescriptions and requiring that all prescriptions be released automatically to patients following the eye exam. VCCA writes into state law the requirements of the Federal Trade Commission Prescription Release Rule (which currently applies only to spectacles) and expands the scope of coverage to include contact lenses. When OAA files its comments in the current Prescription Release Rule proceeding, it will advocate that prescription release requirements also apply to contact lenses.

Provider Equity -- OAA supports legislation which would both level the playing field for all competitors within the health care sector and protect the right of patients to select the providers of their choice. OAA supports (1)nondiscrimination standards which would prohibit discrimination against providers based on the type of license or certification they hold and discrimination against consumers for any reason; (2)coverage for "out of network" services through point-of-service plans; and (3)due process standards for patients and providers including fair and open network selection processes and equitable grievance procedures.

Support for Voluntary Credentialing and Continuing Education

A major purpose of OAA is to encourage, establish and maintain standards of competence, knowledge and performance for optical dispensers through voluntary national certification and registration programs that include examination and continuing education requirements. OAA was a founder of and appoints members of the boards of directors of the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners, the national certifying agencies.

Members are Represented in Many Other
Eye Care and Business Organizations

OAA is represented on the governing boards of the American Board of Opticianry, National Contact Lens Examiners, Better Vision Institute, Commission on Opticianry Accreditation, International Opticians Association, National Committee of State Opticianry Regulatory Boards, Opticians Committee for Political Education, Tissue Banks International and the Educational Foundation in Ophthalmic Optics. OAA has on-going liaison and collaboration on matters of mutual interest with the Contact Lens Society of America, National Academy of Opticianry, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, Optical Laboratories Association, Optical Manufacturers Association, Vision Council of America, American National Standards Institute, International Standards Organization, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Legislative Council.

Services Address Specific Member Needs

Within the broad framework of its charges to preserve, protect defend and expand the rights of its members to participate independently in the eyewear delivery system and to provide and encourage education for its members, OAA provides a range of services that address specific need of dispensing opticians.

The need for state Licensing:

OAA supports licensure, registration, or legal recognition of opticians in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Consumers in every state must be assured of the quality of the eyewear services they receive. OAA believes: (1)the only way to safeguard public health and safety is through specific statutory language defining what constitutes the scope of practice of ophthalmic dispensing, the qualifications to practice opticianry, and continuing education requirements; (2)enhanced education standards for opticians entering the marketplace in the future can be assured only through legislative mandate; (3)recognition of opticians in state law is necessary to ensure a level playing field in the vision care sector, because of managed vision care and third-party plan conditions; and (4)pending federal legislation which would mandate minimum nondiscrimination standards for managed care organizations requires providers to be licensed, certified, or otherwise recognized under applicable state law.

State Opticianry Licensing Boards

The need for education:

OAA sponsors and promotes basic and continuing education for opticians at its annual convention and at other meetings as well as through publications that are distributed nationally to individual dispensing opticians.

Protection of the public health and safety in the eyecare delivery system requires upgrading education standards for ophthalmic dispensers. Establishment of a national standardized formal educational program requiring at the minimum a two-year associate's degree is the first step in strengthening consumer protection standards in the optical marketplace. A comprehensive three-phase curriculum has been developed to implement the formal education standard incrementally. A two year associate degree must be the sole qualification for future opthalmic dispensers. OAA strongly supports legislation in every state to require a two-year degree combined with the gradual phasing out of apprenticeship programs.

OAW Office / Legislation / Education / Convention / Membership