Volume 6, Issue 46│December 09, 2022
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IOA Board of Directors Meeting
The IOA Board of Directors met on Tuesday, December 6. The board discussed important issues like advocacy, education, and future IOA initiatives. The IOA Board of Directors would like to thank IOA members for their support of the profession!
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'Tis the Season for Giving
There was the dangerous Hurricane Ian and then there was the devastating aftermath in Florida. In Volusia County, considerable damage was done to the home of Alyssa Perlman-Hensen, O.D.
“We had significant sewage flooding throughout our entire house and damage to our roof and ceiling, leaving our house unsafe and uninhabitable,” Dr. Perlman-Hensen says. “We were forced to move out of our home immediately.
“Through the generous funding from Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief (OFDR), my family and I were able to evacuate our home immediately and were supported in finding a place to live while our house was uninhabitable,” she adds. “This allowed me to return back to work and to patient care as soon as possible, assisting patients who also had lost their homes and belongings during Hurricane Ian as well.”
A program of Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation, OFDR offers urgent financial relief to doctors when disasters such as Hurricane Ian strike. Those disasters include—but are not limited to—hurricanes, tornadoes, civil unrest, earthquakes, floods and fires. Grants range between $250 to $4,000.
So far, there have been 15 designated storms during the 2022 hurricane season, notes Catherine Amos, O.D., OFDR’s chair. Three hurricanes made landfall along the U.S. coasts, Dr. Amos adds. The program expedites funds to doctors of optometry in response to natural disasters.
“Despite the number of hurricanes being below average, 2022 became the costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record, $53-$74 billion in insured losses from Florida to South Carolina," Dr. Amos says. "It is clear that storms are becoming stronger over time with climate change, plus more development in coastal areas equals more damage.
“OFDR is there for our doctors to provide financial help to those who have suffered property damage to their homes or offices,” she says.
Thanks to the generous support of EssilorLuxottica and CooperVision, the fund has been poised to restore patient care during disasters this year. The funds ease the financial strain on doctors and enable them to return more quickly to work. For Ian alone, the OFDR awarded $62,000 in grants to 24 doctors of optometry to cover widespread losses in Florida.
“It is hard to imagine what it would be like to sustain losses of this magnitude,” Dr. Perlman-Hensen says. “By making an end-of-the-year donation, you can help replenish the monies we have sent to our doctors in 2022 and build our reserves for what is coming in 2023.”
For more information on Optometry's Fund for Disaster Relief, please click the link below.
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Reminder: All IL Employees Required to Complete Yearly Sexual Harassment Training
Illinois employers are required to provide annual sexual harassment training for all IL employees. The Illinois Department of Human Rights has a free PowerPoint available to meet the requirement. Follow the link below to download the model Sexual Harassment Prevention Training in PowerPoint or PDF. Employers are required to keep records of all trainings. A certificate is included at the end of IDHR's model course. Employers should keep a copy of this or a signed employee acknowledgment in their personnel files.
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Future Optometric Doctors Program
Dr. Connor Robbs had the opportunity to talk to over 150 anatomy and physiology students at his alma mater, Neuqua Valley High School, to show them the medical aspect of optometry. Many students will go on to perform shadowing opportunities in the future to explore the profession.
If anyone has potential high schools that would like to visit ICO for the FOD Program, please contact him at crobbs89@gmail.com.
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Take Action: Ask Your Congressional Leaders to Stop Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
Dear AOA Advocate,
With 2022 drawing to a close and the threat of nearly double-digit Medicare pay cuts in just a few weeks, AOA Advocacy is right now mobilizing thousands of doctor and student advocates just like you and asking that you contact your Senators and Representative today to demand that Congress take immediate steps to stop the entirety of Medicare reimbursement cuts scheduled to take effect January 1, 2023. AOA’s Advocacy Team is hearing that lawmakers are discussing plans to stop some of the cuts and allow others to be implemented– we can’t let this happen!
Here are three steps to take action to stop the Medicare payment cuts right away:
1. Send a letter to your U.S. House Member and Senators through the AOA’s Online Action Center or on your mobile device by texting "payment" to 855.465.5124.
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- Hello, I'm a Doctor of Optometry living and working in _________ and I’m committed to providing the quality eye health and vision care that our community needs.
-I’m calling today to urge Rep/Sen. ___________ to demand that Congressional leadership stop the entire reduction to Medicare payment rates from being implemented on January 1, 2023.
- On top of the nearly 4.5% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) payment cut, optometry and other medical practices throughout the country are experiencing significant inflationary pressures.
-The impending Medicare cuts will further exacerbate the significant financial hardship clinicians are already facing and undermine Medicare’s ability to deliver on its promises to your senior and future generations.
-While I appreciate all that Congress has done to prevent much of these cuts from taking effect in the past, I hope you and your colleagues will take action again to stop planned cuts now.
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2. Call Your U.S. Senators and House member – Lawmakers need to hear from you immediately about how urgent it is to stop the coming Medicare payment cuts. Here are four steps to making your call:
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If needed, lookup your Senators and House member. Contact AOA advocacy staff with any questions.
- Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for one of your Senators or House member. If you are unable to reach their D.C. office, lookup and call their local district or state office. Repeat for your other two lawmakers.
- When connected, use the talking points below.
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Report needed follow-up to AOA advocacy staff.
3. After you reach out to your Member of Congress, please contact AOA Advocacy staffers, Matt Willette or Ruth Hazdovac, with any questions or to discuss needed follow-up. Thank you for taking action and for all that you have done and continue to do for patients and the profession.
William T. Reynolds, O.D.
AOA Advocacy Chairman
AOA Trustee
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A direct and compelling headline |
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Arthur J. Rubin, OD, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2022. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 5, 1927, the son of Adeline and Jack Rubin. He attended grammar, high school and colleges in Chicago, and in September of 1949, earned the degree of Doctor of Optometry from the Chicago College of Optometry. In that same month, he and Tina G. Shapiro were wed. They resided in Chicago until 1955, moving to Peoria, to Moline, and then Rock Island, IL. In 1957, he opened a private practice of Optometry in East Moline, IL, until his retirement in 1990. Art and Tina moved to San Diego, CA in 1991, and then to Reno, Nevada in 2004. Dr. Rubin had been a member of the Illinois and American Optometric Associations, and the Rock Island County Optometric Society. He had been a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, and served on the Illinois Optometric Executive Board and the Illinois Vision Service Plan.
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We want to hear your memories of the IOA! In celebration of our 125th anniversary in 2023, the IOA is collecting your stories about the organization.
Please share your thoughts on the importance of IOA membership, favorite memories from IOA, or your thoughts on the history of the IOA.
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IOA/AOA Membership Renewal Update
2023 membership invoices have been mailed out, so members should begin receiving invoices soon! Those on a recurring monthly or quarterly payment do not need to respond as your payment schedule will be automatically renewed.
On September 30, 2022, the IOA Board of Directors voted to keep IOA membership dues at the same rate as 2022. Likewise, the AOA Board of Directors did not issue a dues increase, so IOA/AOA membership fees will remain the same in 2023.
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2023 Dues Contest
Pay membership dues in full by 1/31/2023 and be entered into a drawing to win FREE registration to the 2023 IOA Annual Meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois! This includes your registration for the meeting and all CE testing fees associated with your registration but does not include hotel reservations.
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Call for Courses - 2023 Annual Meeting
The IOA has opened the Call for Courses for the 2023 Annual Meeting in Schaumburg, IL on September 28-October 1. Lecturers are invited to submit their lecture(s) and workshop courses in the online portal at the link below. All courses must be submitted online by December 16, 2022.
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2022 Medicare Fee Schedules
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
Pediatric Optometrist – Full or Part Time Wheaton Eye Clinic, located in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL, is seeking a full time or part time pediatric trained Optometrist ( Read more)
Oswego Vision - Our well established west suburban private practice is looking for a full time Optometrist to join our team. (Read more)
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Draft a Press Release
Every time your practice does something notable or newsworthy, draft a press release to send to your local news outlets. These publications actively look for interesting stories and often use press releases to create articles. When they do, it gives your practice free publicity. Remember to include your social media links and website address in your release. Grammarly has a free step-by-step guide to writing a press release which can be found here.
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Minimum Wage Increases to $13 an Hour on Jan. 1, 2023
Fox 32 reports that the minimum wage will increase to $13 per hour effective January 1. The increase is part of legislation that passed in 2019 to establish a $15 minimum wage by 2025.
Please note that Cook County and Chicago both have higher minimum wages currently in place. The Chicago minimum wage increased in July 2022 to $15.40 per hour for businesses with 21+ employees and $14.50 per hour for businesses that have between four and 20 employees. The minimum wage in Cook County for non-tipped workers is $13.35 per hour.
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State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) released the following statement announcing his retirement from the Illinois Senate.
“I have chosen to retire from the Illinois Senate, effective at the end of my current term, which expires on January 10, 2023.
“I have now served in the Illinois House and Senate for twelve years. My oldest son was born during the final days of my first legislative session, which quickly taught me about the sacrifices that would burden my family as I chose to serve. Those who know me are well aware of the priority I have continually attempted to place on my family. However, my other obligations have only increased, bringing further sacrifices. Throughout my time in the legislature, I have also had the honor to work as a full-time attorney, an adjunct college professor, and more recently as a partner in a real estate company that has grown much faster than I could have hoped for.
“Kristin and I have been blessed with a growing family, and our children deserve more of my time, attention, and involvement. My children are at special ages when parental involvement is critical, and I owe them my best attempt to make them the priority they deserve to be. However, for too long, Kristin and our kids (Augie, 11; Wally, 9; and Lia, 5) have tolerated a father who has had more obligations than time. I want to now give them more of me and am looking forward to getting more of them. My mom, dad and brother have also supported me at every turn. Now is a chance for me to give them more of my time as well.
“At the same time, the wonderful people of the 53rd Senate District need a representative who can make them the priority they deserve to be. Representing central Illinois, first in the House and then in the Senate, has been an incredible honor and privilege which I have never taken for granted. During my time in office, I have had the opportunity to play a role in historic changes in our state. My passion has been to serve as an independent voice in favor of limited and responsible governance for our State. I’ve tried to demonstrate that there is space for independent and thoughtful representation, even in our increasingly polarized political climate. Solving problems legislatively, and just as importantly, working to address constituent issues, has given me an opportunity to prove that our government, as frustrating as it can be, can actually still work.
“Throughout my career in public service, Kristin and I have met countless individuals who have become and will remain our closest friends. I am especially grateful to my colleagues in the Senate, and to the incomparable staff on whom we all rely. Kristin and I will be forever blessed by the kindness and friendship shown by far too many people to name here.
“What’s next for me includes more time with my kids - fishing, outdoor activities, traveling, participating in their activities, shuttling them around, and hopefully avoiding many of the phone calls, meetings and conflicts that have too often pulled me away from my family.
“I am announcing my retirement now to give the Republican Party leadership in my district time to fill this vacancy so that a new Senator can be seated at the inauguration of the new 103rd General Assembly in January 2023. I am very excited for this next chapter of my life to begin, and I wish nothing but success for the next Senator to represent the 53rd District. May God bless Illinois.”
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Health Equity Experts and Top Policy Leaders Launch Midwest Health Equity Coalition to Identify Evidence-Based Best Practices for Reducing Racial Health Disparities in America
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 7, 2022--
A diverse group of mission-aligned health systems, a Medicare Advantage health plan, a healthcare analytics solutions company, the association representing Illinois community health centers, health policy leaders, and other health partners came together today to launch the Midwest Health Equity Coalition. The coalition will serve as a brain trust of experts committed to reducing racial health disparities among underserved seniors in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois — identifying a set of best practices that can be replicated across the country.
The coalition is the vision of Eric E. Whitaker, MD, MPH, Founder & Executive Chairman of Zing Health and former Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health; and Andy Slavitt, Healthcare Advisor and former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“Equity gaps in care and access disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities, resulting in a higher prevalence of chronic care and racial disparities in health outcomes,” said Dr.Eric E. Whitaker. “This coalition will identify, support, and shine a light on innovative and cost-effective ways that front-line healthcare providers deliver preventative care to seniors—in particular, Medicare-eligible and disabled people of color. The goal is to ultimately drive better care so that all people can attain the services they need, regardless of race, disability, or socioeconomic status.”
“The coalition is committed to addressing inequities in healthcare and reducing disease burden in black communities,” said Andy Slavitt. “Our goal is to ensure underserved communities receive the preventative services and quality care they need and deserve to improve health outcomes.”
Quality care for diabetes and other conditions can be challenging in communities with limited practitioners or primary care physicians who may not be acquainted with disease management issues. The coalition is working on initiatives that include assistance in getting necessary appointments, transportation, and social services to help manage these conditions. Additional enhancements include benefits such as free insulin and no cost continuous glucose monitoring to eligible seniors, irrespective of ability to pay.
Among its priorities, the coalition will study those social determinants of health that create a greater risk of patients’ developing chronic conditions and difficulty in managing them. Findings from the coalition’s research will be used to identify individuals who could benefit from home-based services, or social and community supports, to improve quality and access to care.
The coalition will report out its initial findings and recommendations for addressing inequities in healthcare in 2023.
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Doctors of Optometry Embrace Myopia Management, AOA Study Says
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:24 AM
ST. LOUIS—According to an American Optometric Association (AOA) Research & Information Committee (RIC) survey, 69 percent of doctors of optometry report providing myopia management services in their practices and three out of four responding doctors consider myopia to be a disease in need of treatment. Nearly all responding doctors who provide myopia management services (93 percent) are practicing in metropolitan areas and 71 percent of these doctors report working in an independent practice not affiliated with private equity or corporate optometry.
“Myopia management is really a hot, hot topic right now, especially post COVID-19,” said Mamie Chan, OD, AOA RIC chair. “With the world becoming more myopic, the topic is timely and it’s also somewhat of a new area. We’re still learning about it.
“There’s also a question of how much research is out there. So, we wanted to see a wide swath of what doctors of optometry are doing. As a private practitioner, I am sometimes in a bubble. I only see myself and my friends, so it’s good to get a snapshot of what other people are doing and how many people are doing it.”
According to the 2021 Clinical Report: Myopia Management produced by the AOA’s Evidence-based Optometry Committee, the prevalence of myopia jumped in the U.S. among people aged 12 to 54 from 25 percent in 1971-1972 to 41.6 percent between 1999-2004.
Further, prevalence worldwide is projected to be 50 percent by 2050. And in a study published in January 2021 in JAMA Ophthalmology, researchers conclude that home confinement due to COVID-19 appeared to have led to a “significant myopic shift for children aged 6 to 8 years.” Similarly, 87 percent of doctors in the survey report discussing myopia management techniques with parents when the child was between 5 and 8 years of age. The average age was 5.5 years.
Other survey highlights found:
● 73 percent of those surveyed believe an annual progression of 0.5 to 0.75 diopters was warranted before initiating myopia management protocols.
● Refractive error was rated the most important risk factor in warranting myopia management.
● Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved soft (contact) lenses was the preferred treatment method.
● 33 percent of myopia management candidates defer treatment with 80 percent of these patients defering treatment due to costs.
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AAOpt 2022: The latest updates on common autoimmune diseases
December 6, 2022
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, gives key takeaways from her co-presentation on the most common autoimmune diseases and their latest updates, which she discussed at AAOpt 2022.
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, director of the retina clinic and chief of primary care at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, as well as past president of the National Optometric Association, shares highlights from her discussion titled, "The most common autoimmune diseases: latest updates," which she co-presented with Joseph Pizzimenti, OD, during the 2022 American Academy of Optometry meeting held in San Diego.
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'TIS THE SEASON-
FOR HALLMARK MOVIES
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An optometrist is a featured character in a holiday Hallmark Movie that revolves around the main character's color blindness.
The Most Colorful Time of the Year revolves around Ryan, an elementary school teacher who is diagnosed with colorblindness. Ryan is eventually helped by Michelle, an optometrist and single mother of one of his students. Michelle brings color back into Ryan's life and helps him see Christmas in color for the very first time. The film stars Katrina Bowden and Christopher Russell. It is scheduled to premiere on Hallmark Channel on December 9, 2022.
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FDA Draft Guidance Says Patients Considering Lasik Surgery Should Be Warned Of Complications
The New York Times (12/7, Rabin) reports, “Patients considering Lasik surgery should be warned that they may be left with double vision, dry eyes, difficulty driving at night and, in rare cases, persistent eye pain, according to draft guidance by the” FDA that also warns that “patients may still need eyeglasses” after surgery. The 29-page draft guidance (PDF) has not been finalized, but “more than 600 individuals and professional groups have weighed in with comments since the draft of the guidance was made public in July, and the agency is now reviewing the input while preparing the final documents, officials said.” While many medical groups have weighed in positively regarding Lasik, “the professional organization representing optometrists, who perform vision tests and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, praised the draft and recommended adding even more precautions about Lasik surgery for pregnant patients and those with irregular astigmatism.”
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CDC: Respiratory Diseases Stretching Hospitals Thin
The leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week that flu hospitalizations remain the highest they’ve been at this time of year in a decade, as the nation continues to grapple with a spike in respiratory illnesses.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky also said there was an "unfortunate and expected” uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations last week, following Thanksgiving.
She told reporters Monday that the rise is “especially worrisome as we move into the winter months when more people are assembling indoors with less ventilation and as we approach the holiday season where many are gathering with loved ones across multiple generations.”
Meanwhile, activity for respiratory syncytial virus remains high nationally, with some signs that it may be leveling off in areas like the Midwest. Hospital systems are “stretched” with high numbers of patients with respiratory illnesses, Walensky said.
Influenza cases continue to rise in Chicago, but RSV cases decreased in the past week, according to Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. She said she was surprised by the early start to flu season this year during a Facebook Live event Tuesday.
There were 28 influenza-associated intensive care unit hospitalizations in Chicago during Nov. 20 and Nov. 26, the most recent surveillance week, according to a report released last Friday. Sixty influenza-associated ICU hospitalizations have been reported since Oct. 2. Chicago's flu positivity rate was 28.5 percent.
The positivity rate for RSV decreased from 9.1 percent to 5.8 percent in Chicago. The percent of emergency department visits for children under 5 also decreased from 5.9 percent to 4.7 percent.
Illinois is at a very high level of flu activity, according to the CDC. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise in Illinois, which has a dozen counties at the level where the CDC recommends public indoor masking.
Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, board chair of the American Medical Association and a professor at Emory University School of Medicine, encouraged people to get vaccinated and stay home when sick.
"Flu is here — it started early," she said. "And with COVID and RSV also circulating, it's a perfect storm for a terrible holiday season."
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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