Friday, April 24, 2020 at 6:45 PM

Dear GOA members,

As mentioned yesterday, we are bringing you an update on the CDC stance on routine care.  Please read the following notice from the AOA regarding the new recommendations the CDC has made for optometrists:

"As doctors of optometry prepare to resume delivery of complete, comprehensive eye health and vision care under a new phase of the nation's continuing COVID-19 pandemic response, the AOA recommends that clinical judgment and practice operations should be informed by the   U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reopening guidance of April 19  and the  Opening Up America Again plan , as well as all state, state board and local health directives.
 
The AOA has confirmed with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials that the agency's March 17 nationwide recommendation to postpone routine eye care is no longer in effect, and that   CMS's specific guidance on reopening facilities to provide nonemergent and non-COVID-19 health care is in force . Under this framework, state-by-state decisions will guide when and how doctors and practices can resume delivery of complete, comprehensive care.

On an ongoing basis, including by remaining in close contact with their state association, doctors should stay informed as their state's governor and other state and local authorities update the status of public health and safety measures in effect, specifically as they relate to the operations of optometry practices and the delivery of care by doctors of optometry and other physicians and health care providers.   

To assist members doctors and their practices, the   AOA has posted a guide to practice reactivation   and other practice tools and crisis relief resources on   aoa.org/coronavirus . In addition, specific requests and questions submitted to the AOA, including through   askAOA@aoa.org , will receive a prompt response."
 
On Thursday April 23, Governor Kemp issued his Reviving a Healthy Georgia executive order . Under his executive order, optometrists in Georgia are able to fully reopen so long as they follow the new guidelines from the CDC, American Optometric Association's Practice Reactivation Preparedness Guide  and the  Georgia Optometric Association's COVID-19 guidelines for practices issued March 17, 2020 and updated April 20, 2020 .

Providing you with the education, information and resources you need to serve your patients remains our number one priority. The GOA is committed to providing you with vital information during this time of uncertainty.

Thank you for all that you are doing for your patients, for your community, and for our profession during this public health emergency. If you have any questions or concerns, please let do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Sincerely,








Mehrdad E. Saadat
GOA President

*This memo was compiled with assistance from GOA General Counsel, Aubrey Villines.