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news

June 2, 2023

Florida Not-a-doctor Bill Vetoed by Governor DeSantis!

Thanks to persistent advocacy from optometry, ODs will retain the legal right to call themselves doctors and physicians.

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June 1, 2023

Constant presence: Alliance builds reputation for patient safety advocacy

Founded five years ago, the Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety (HCAPS) is making good on its mission to advocate for patient safety and protect the fundamental doctor-patient relationship. 

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May 4, 2023

AOA and state affiliates rally to decry and defeat discriminatory ‘not-a-doctor’ bills

Amid historic gains for optometry, the AOA and seven state affiliates find themselves battling a spate of legislation that potentially seeks to block, limit or discourage doctors of optometry from being referenced as doctors and physicians in their respective states and threatens to undermine the profession’s progress.

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April 19, 2023

Marijuana sensibilities changing fast: Are you ready for patients’ questions?

Public support for marijuana legalization has never been higher in the U.S., but evidence of its clinical utility in glaucoma care remains clouded at best.

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March 23, 2023

DEA’s new opioid training mandate: What you need to know

Doctors of optometry applying for a DEA registration after June 27, 2023, must attest to a new eight-hour education and training requirement for substance abuse identification and treatment. 

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January 26, 2023

FTC announces proposed ban on noncompete clauses

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January 5, 2023

Gaining access: A win for veterans and doctors of optometry

The Department of Veterans Affairs lifts language that had restricted care from doctors of optometry, opening up access to veterans around the country. Persistent advocacy by AOA, AFOS, the Mississippi Optometric Association and other stakeholders results in greater care delivery.

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January 4, 2023

Interprofessional communication for diabetic eye care critical: What you should know

The AOA and other eye care organizations collaborated with the American Diabetes Association to develop an interprofessional communication protocol intended to improve eye health outcomes.

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November 10, 2022

7 takeaways from the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

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October 27, 2022

AOA issues consumer health alert for online vision tests

The public-facing alert encourages consumers to ask discerning questions about online vision tests before entrusting their eye health care to a direct-to-consumer service.

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October 19, 2022

Federal student loan forgiveness latest: Application now available

As the Department of Education releases an official application for loan forgiveness, optometry’s advocates continue to emphasize that eligibility for debt relief programs should not exclude optometry and greater options should be available for debt forgiveness programs.

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January 1, 2022

New laws in effect for 2022 -per the COA's update:

  • All health care providers are required to send medication prescriptions to the pharmacy electronically as of January 1, 2022.

  • The maximum fine for violating the laws for out-of-state ophthalmic lens sellers increases next year from $2,500 to $35,000 (AB 1534). Click here to complain to the state about illegal contact lens sales. Also, share your story here.

  • An optometrist may not knowingly provide optometric services to any patient who scheduled their appointment through any individual, corporation, or firm engaged in the business of filling prescriptions that is not properly registered with the State Board of Optometry (AB 1534).

  • An optometrist may not knowingly lease space from any individual, corporation, or firm engaged in the business of filling prescriptions that is not properly registered with the State Board of Optometry (AB 1534).

  • An optometrist may not sell medication directly to patients [B&P 3041 (h)].

  • Optometrists must post a sign in the office letting patients know where to file a complaint.

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