Membership in Organized Optometry
Membership in organized optometry offers many benefits such as practice resources, top-notch education, patient referrals, etc. Although the benefits are praiseworthy the real value of your membership is in the day-to-day protection and advancement of your profession. The Alaska Optometric Association and American Optometric Association protect the value of your OD degree, independent licensure and your scope of practice. They push for important legislation, providing the clout necessary so that your voice will be heard. As a team, we must work together for a common cause...OPTOMETRY.
Here are just a few of the accomplishments of organized
optometry over the last year...
- The AKOA monitored and acted on legislation affecting you and your practice
- In response to AKOA member concerns, AKOA leadership is successful in passing Board Certification amendment increasing points towards years in practice
- As a member of the Alaska Vision Coalition, our efforts have led to increased eye health awareness through the following:
- Children's vision television ads
- Low vision television ads
- Low vision radio ads
- Children's vision dasher board ad at the Anchorage Sports Dome
- Eye health Awareness website www.alaskaEYEhealth.org
- Revision of the AK Primary Care Association definition of primary care to include eye care
- Another successful annual AKOA Conference in Kodiak, AK with outstanding CE, fresh salmon dinners, and wonderful camaraderie
- The AKOA welcomed Rina Salazar to the office
- AOA signs a collaborative Board Certification Memorandum of Understanding
- AOA ensured ODs were exempt from DMEPOS surety bond requirements
- AOA secured multiple Red Flag Rule enforcement delays for optometry
- AOA's proactive efforts have made certain optometry is 'at the table' for health reform talks
- AOA joins with the AMA convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI) to ensure ODs have a voice in efforts to improve health care
- AOA works to avert massive Medicare fee cut and gets 5% Boost in OD Pay Set
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