also inside this issue missouri optometric … given by american optometric association trustee, ......

October | November 2008

The beautiful Chateau on the Lake in Branson served as a most gracious host for the 2008 Annual MOA Convention October 9th- 12th.

From the absolutely wonderful weather and breath taking views enjoyed by the golfers to the simply elegant presidential banquet, the meeting was a success.

There was high quality continuing education interspersed with Dueling Pianos, a Para Mixer, and a great exhibit hall along with the MOA Presidential Reception and Banquet.

Every day was busy with activities beginning with a golf tournament at Ledgestone Golf Course. Forty-one golfers participated in the event that was chaired by Dr. Thomas Cullinane.

This year’s continuing education and speakers featured such names as Dr. Ernest Bhend, Dr. Leland Carr, Dr. John Crane, Dr. Shane Kannarr, Dr. Francis Jansen, Dr. Thomas Landgraf, Dr. Larry Meyer, Dr. Jeffery Miller, Dr. Daniel Osborn, Dr. Andrea Thau, Dr. Michelle Welch, Dr. Richard Wilson, Dr. Timothy Wingert, Dr. Jeffery Weaver, and Kim Scheidler.

See Convention, page 5

Also Ins ideTh isIssue

Dr. James HuntOptomemtrist of the Year

Dr. Ryan Powell Young Optometrist of the Year

Jennifer Ross Paraoptometric of the Year

HHS Proposes Adoption of ICD-10 Code Sets

MSBA, MASA, and the Children’s Vision Law

October First Prescription Pad Guidelines

MOA/Industry Alliance Day at UMSL

Paraoptometric CE Opportunity

Thank You

Jamaica Spring CE

New Members

Calendar of Events

Optometric Society Reports

Missouri Optometric Association Hosts Exciting Annual Convention


2

President’s Message

I want to begin by thanking each and every one of you for showing your support for the Missouri Optometric Association and our great profession of optometry.

Optometry...why do we practice this profession? I’m not here to tell you why you specifically practice optometry, because all of us have made that decision for different reasons. However, I am here to challenge your thinking about optometry.

• We know optometry is ranked in the top 10 to 15 best jobs in the country by numerous publications. The outlook for demand is positive although we have many battles ahead.

• We know optometry allows us to feed our families and in most cases have a decent and comfortable lifestyle.

• We know in this day and age when many are losing their jobs, the economy is tight and there’s not a lot of optimistic talk about the future, people will continue to need healthy eyes, and good vision to perform in society. Look at Third World countries and see how they struggle when vision and eye health care is not taken care of properly.

It is a service to humankind we need to reflect on. I seriously believe if we took away the fact that our profession is ranked in the top 10 best jobs, if we took away quality of life and income that we receive for our services, and even if we took away the consistent need for healthy eyes, most of us would still be in this profession because it is our nature to serve and help others.

If we took the Meyers Briggs Personality Scale, I believe most of us would score high in the area of caring for others.

There are many hoops we have to jump through and many opportunities to become disgruntled with our jobs. Things like:

• dealing with insurance companies which many times brings out the worst in us;

• being concerned about potential threats of lawsuits;

• dealing with the frustration of health care, as the rules continue to change, sometimes daily; and

• dealing with the thoughts that optometry is not what we thought it was going to be because of incorrect expectations. Continued, next page.

Wes Kemp, O.D., MOA President


3

President’s Message, continued from page 2

However, service to others is what is important and what we need to focus on.

There are things that we need to address this year and in the near future of the MOA.

• We need to work with the MOA Public Relations Committee in helping us work through some of the bad publicity that we have received from the Children’s Exam Law. Although this law is for the good and welfare for the children of Missouri, it has been disseminated in the media as self-serving and a bother for both parents and school districts. We need to push forward and continue to inform the public how important vision is to the learning process and not assume that parents know that information.

• We need to evaluate and address any legislation that deals with access and freedom for patients to choose the providers they wish to use. This issue will affect patients and doctors both in rural and metropolitan areas and is in the best interest of our patients.

• We need to continue to assess our scope of practice. Because of the changes in technology, we have to continually be looking for how we can affectively treat and take care of our patients. Because of new technology, such as nanotechnology, the way we treat patients will be dramatically different in the years to come. If we say we are happy with our current treatment regime and it becomes obsolete in ten years, where does that leave us? We do not have a choice because we are a legislated profession. We have to continually be changing, because we want to offer excellent vision and ocular health care with the latest and most updated treatment available.

My greatest concern is for the involvement of members in our Association. I understand that it takes time away from family, duties of the office, and other interests that we have to be involved in the association. But the Association protects and promotes us in the future of our profession. I know older doctors may say, “I have put my time in and I am tired of the associations work” and the younger doctors may say “I have no interest in being involved because of the time factor and effort.”

We have to meet somewhere in the middle.

I hope many of the older docs will reflect on how privileged we are to have had this life and career in optometry. I hope we will push forward and promote optometry for the next generation so that they may also enjoy this profession. I hope that we will be challenged and encouraged by the younger ODs to maybe get a little spark back to help our profession.

Conclusion, see President’s Message, page 9


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Convention, continued from page 1

The Friday Awards Luncheon featured Dr. Mark Curtis as Master of Ceremonies. Dr. Jeffery Weaver presented the AOA Years of Service Awards. Dr. Gregory Goetzinger presented the MOA Years of Service awards. The Paraoptometric of the Year Award was presented to Jennifer Ross of Warrensburg, MO, by Steve Sutherlin of Sutherlin Optical.

The MOA Young Optometrist of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Ryan Powell of Kansas City, MO for all his efforts and dedicated service to the MOA, serving on several state offices, committees and positions, his leadership in the community, and service to the visual welfare of the public. The award was presented by his father, Dr. Jeffery Powell.

Dr. James Hunt of Doniphan, MO was honored as the 2008 MOA Optometrist of the Year. His involvement in the association includes co-editor of the Vision Newsletter, MOA Trustee, MOA Exhibit Hall Chairman, Paraoptometric Liaison, multiple office holder in his society, MOA committee member and the 2007 MOA Young Optometrist of the Year. His award was presented by Dr. Kyle Brost.

The MOA Auxiliary gave two $3000 student scholarships. One was given to Kylie Divine and one to Shawn Yarnell. The Missouri Optometric Foundation gave a $1000 scholarship to Kylie Divine for her leadership at the University of Missouri College of Optometry.

The MOA business sessions were dominated by discussion about the Articles of Agreement Change allowing two trustees with one vote from the St. Louis Optometric Society. The vote by membership passed that amendment along with an MOA dues increase. Reports were given by American Optometric Association Trustee, Dr. Andrea Thau and North Central States Optometric Council President Dr. Scott Ream. There was a budget presentation by Dr. Wesley Kemp and a Children’s Vision Commission report by Dr. Mike Frier. Dr. Scott Burks, the AOA PAC Chairman graciously gave up his allotted amount of time to allow others more time with their presentations.

The Exhibit Hall was a success with over 50 exhibitors and several prizes given away to MOA optometrists during the two days the exhibit hall was open.

The Saturday night Presidential Banquet was well attended and featured the installation of the new MOA officers and trustees and the traditional passing of the gavel to the new MOA President, Dr. Wesley Kemp.

Scholarship recipients Kylie Divine and Shawn Yarnell


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Dr. James Hunt Honored as MOA Optometrist of the Year

Branson, Mo-- Dr. James Hunt, with practices in Doniphan and Piedmont, Missouri, was presented with the Optometrist of the Year Award at the Missouri Optometric Association’s (MOA) 2008 Awards luncheon on October 10 held at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri.

The Optometrist of the Year award is presented to an optometrist who has proven to be an outstanding practitioner. In order to qualify for the award, a candidate must demonstrate a mode of practice that shows concern and involvement within the association and the profession and make a significant contribution to the community. His involvement in the association includes co-editor of the Vision Newsletter, MOA Trustee, MOA Exhibit Hall Chairman, Paraoptometric Liaison, multiple office holder in his society, and MOA committee member. “This is the highest compliment a doctor of optometry can receive from his profession,” Dr. Hunt said of his honor.

Dr. Hunt is a graduate of Arkansas State University and the Inter American University School of Optometry. Dr. Hunt did receive the Leadership Award in recognition for his excellent performance while in optometry school. He has been a clinical examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and is an associate faculty member at the Inter American University School of Optometry.

The MOA has also recognized Dr. Hunt as the Young Optometrist of the Year at its annual Convention in 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri. According to Dr. Hunt, “I was completely shocked when I was announced as the winner of this year’s award; because I have not heard of any MOA member winning Young Optometrist of the Year and then Optometrist of the Year at the following convention. I am beyond words to have been named Optometrist of the Year. It is an honor just to be nominated by my peers.”

Dr. Hunt enjoys practicing optometry in the Ozarks of Missouri and being with his wife, Evelyn, their four kids--Bryanna, Rachel, Jack, and James--along with three grandchildren.


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Dr. Ryan Powell Honored With Young Optometrist of the Year

Branson MO--Dr. Ryan Powell of Insight Eyecare Specialties was presented with the Young Optometrist of the Year Award at the Missouri Optometric Association’s (MOA) 2008 Awards luncheon on October 10 held at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri. The awards luncheon is part of the MOA’s annual Convention and Education Forum.

The Young Optometrist of the Year Award is presented to a Missouri optometrist who has been in practice less than ten years and shows leadership in optometry and service to the visual welfare of the public. Dr. Powell serves as the InfantSEE state coordinator for Missouri and on the Missouri Optometric Association Board of Directors. He was the MO-PAC chairman from 2002 to 2005.

Dr. Powell received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1996. He was a Cum Laude graduate of Southern College of Optometry in 2002. He was voted class president and a member of the Gold Key Optometric Honor Society and the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Fraternity.

Dr. Powell was recognized for all his efforts and dedicated service in promoting optometry in Missouri. He is the owner of Insight Eyecare Specialties with 4 locations in western Missouri. He has associate doctors including Dr. Patrick Whitworth, Dr. Andrea Keele, Dr. Lee Anne Whitworth, Dr. Glade Whitworth, and Dr. Irv Fudemberg working at his offices in Kansas City, Independence and Rock Port, Missouri.

Dr. Powell was presented with the Young Optometrist of the Year Award by his father, Dr. Jeffery Powell. When Dr. Ryan Powell went to the podium to accept he was accompanied by his wife of 11 years, Amy, and their three children, Andie, age 9; Landyn, age 8; and Jake, age 5.


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Jennifer Ross Honored as Paraoptometric of the Year

Jennifer Ross was voted 2008 Paraoptometric of the Year for the state of Missouri.

The Paraoptometric of the Year Award is sponsored by Sutherlin Optical. Jennifer Ross was presented the Paraoptometric of the Year Award by Steve Sutherlin of Sutherlin Optical. She is the Research Coordinator with InSight Eyecare in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Jennifer is currently active on the Missouri Board of Directors for the Missouri Paraoptometric Association. She has been in the optical profession for 27 years. She has passed her CPOA (Certified Paraoptometric Assistant) and ABOC (American Board of Opticianry Certified) exams.

A touching moment during the awards luncheon was when Jennifer’s family surprised her by being at the ceremony, but out of sight, so they could join her at the podium. Jennifer was joined by her husband of 33 years and three daughters. She also has one son-in-law in the Army and five grandchildren.

President’s Message, from page 3

Younger ODs...I encourage you to share your vision and eagerness with the older docs, to want to step up and invest in your profession. You cannot sit back and do nothing, for it will be taken away from you and all the hard work from the previous generations will have been for nothing. Visit and learn from the older doctors, learn from their successes and yes…..their mistakes. It is going to take an effort by all of us to continue to keep our profession heading in the right direction and keep focused on serving patients, which in the end is what we are all about.

In this day and age when the media and society state and portray “it is all about me,” it is not. Change that mindset — it is about serving others. With that in mind, it is my pleasure and honor to serve the MOA and its great members.


HHS Proposes Adoption of ICD-10 Code Sets and Updated Electronic Transaction Standardsby Rich Wilson

According to HHS, the proposed new diagnoses codes, ICD-10, are designed to improve disease tracking and speed transition to an electronic health care environment. The new codes will become effective October 1, 2011, and will greatly expand the number of codes; allowing for quality reporting, pay-for-performance, bio-surveillance, and other critical activities.

In 2000 the ICD-9 codes, under authority provided by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), code sets were adopted for use in the administrative transactions by both the public and private sectors to report diagnoses and inpatient hospital procedures. Covered entities required to use the ICD-9-CM code sets include health plans, health care clearinghouses, and health care providers who transmit any electronic health information in connection with a transaction for which a standard has been adopted by HHS.

Having been developed three decades ago, ICD-9 is now viewed as outdated because of its limited ability to accommodate new procedures and diagnoses. ICD-9 contains only 17,000 codes and is expected to start running out of available codes next year. In contrast, the ICD-10 code sets contain more than 155,000 codes and accommodate a host of new diagnoses and procedures. The additional codes will help to enable the implementation of electronic health records because they will provide more detail in the electronic transactions.

Implementing these new codes will cost practices money for software changes, training, and lost revenue while learning how to use the new system. Cost estimates are divided by the size of the practice: A typical “small” practice is comprised of three physicians and two impacted administrative staff, a typical “medium” practice is comprised of 10 providers, one full-time coder, and six impacted administrative staff, and a typical “large” practice, comprised of 100 providers, with 64 coding staff comprised of 10 full-time coders and 54 impacted medical records staff.

Continued, see HHS page 2110


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MSBA, MASA, and the Children’s Vision Lawby Mark Curtis, O.D.

This past spring, I was elected to our local school board. It has been challenging, rewarding and eye-opening. It has also offered me a unique perspective about the new Children’s Vision Law.

As a father of twin 5-year olds, I can vouch that our kindergartners are learning to read and write much quicker than what you and I did at that age. Also as an optometrist, I understand the visual demand that these young children face on a daily basis. Now, as a school board member, I see the connection between healthy vision and standardized tests scores. These scores ultimately determine the success, or failure, of a school district.

The Missouri School Board Association (MSBA) and the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) held their annual convention at Tan-Tar-a on the weekend of October 23-26th. I did a presentation about the Children’s Vision Law there. I was very lucky to have Dr. J.D. Roberts in the crowd. He is an optometrist who serves on the school board in Monett, MO. His input into the presentation was invaluable. The presentation covered basic vision disorders, history of the law, details about the law (including the sunset provision, “opt out” option and no penalties) and the difference between a screening and an eye examination. I also covered the role of the Children’s Vision Commission. We answered many questions, primarily about tracking results from the exams. I re-assured everyone that the commission was working very hard to streamline the reporting process.

I also had the opportunity to discuss the law with several school districts in some informal meetings. From these discussions, it became very clear that the range of understanding about the law across Missouri is vast. Some schools have fully implemented it and are already seeing the fruits of their labor. Other school districts have gone as far as only giving out “opt out” letters to parents. The majority of schools are somewhere in the middle. They know about the law, they think it’s a good idea, but they don’t know how to implement it.

See, CVLaw, page 23


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October First Guidelines for Using Prescription Pads for Medicaid Recipients

As of October 1, 2008, your pharmacist could turn away prescriptions not written on counterfeit-proof paper. Medicaid now requires all prescribers to use a tamper-proof prescription pad to protect against prescription tampering, forgery and copying to make illegal prescriptions.

To be compliant with the rule, a prescription pad must contain these three characteristics listed below:

1. It must be designed to prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form. Examples include a high security watermark on the reverse side of the blank or thermo-chromic ink.

2. It must be designed to prevent erasure or modification of information written on the prescription pad. An example would be tamper-resistant background ink that shows erasers or attempts to change written information.

3. It must be designed to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. Examples would be sequentially numbered blanks or duplicate or triplicate blanks.

In March of 2008 prescribers were required to meet only one of the above requirements. Some physicians opted for band-aid fixes such as a stamp, sticker or checkbox as a short-term solution. These solutions will not longer be acceptable as of October first.

Tamper resistant pads are available from the AOA or from optometric and medical supply catalogs. If your practice uses electronic medical records software, tamper-resistant laser paper is available from printing vendors.


MOA/Industry Alliance Day at UMSL-College of OptometryKen Detring, O.D.

On October 14th, a panel of practicing optometrists and representatives from the executive Level of the Industry Alliance presented information on the MOA as well as a panel discussion to 4th , some 3rd, and 2nd year UMSL College of Optometry students.

Issues discussed included how to decide where to practice, how to find a practice to join or what to expect, who to contact to determine a location for starting a practice, and practical issues about the first years as a Doctor of Optometry.

MOA Members who participated were Dr. Scott Burks, Dr. Wes Kemp, Dr. Jamal Fox, Dr. Erin Sullivan, Dr. Ken Detring, and representing UMSL, Drs. Howard McAlister and Tim Wingert.

Participating on behalf of the Industry Alliance were Steve Sutherlin and Scott Kitzerow (Sutherlin Optical), Craig Hausmann (Midland Optical), Kevin Chism (Ozarks Optical), and Carl Klein and Tom Fischer (Hoya Vision).

A cocktail hour and dinner was held that evening at the Ameristar Casino, arranged by Dr. Craig Sorce. The doctors, students, and lab representatives gathered to discuss issues in a more relaxed atmosphere and one on one basis surrounding post-graduation years and have some fun as well.

15


16

We are repeating a destination for the first time! Join us when we return to the Grand Lido Braco in Jamaica.

The land only package is $1,180 per person based on double occupancy and includes:

room and all meals (including 24 hour in-room dining and premium cocktails)scuba diving, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, or snorkelinggolf (includes green fees)fitness center and sauna/steam roomdiscolaundry serviceairport transfersTen hours of continuing education provided by Dr. John Warren. ($350)

Airfare will be arranged separately and you have the choice of numerous airlines (you may use your frequent flier miles!). Contact Robin Smith at Midwest Travel for flight arrangements (1-800-728-5387). Contact the MOA office 573-635-6151 for additional information and to reserve your spot on the beach!!!!

•

•••••••

Make Plans to Attend Spring CE in Jamaica

With Deepest Appreciation

Please accept my heartfelt Thank You for the beautiful flowers and plants, cards, memorial contributions, thoughts, prayers and condolences at the sudden death of my mother.

I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of concern for me and my family, and I find it most difficult to express my gratitude for everyone’s comforting kindness and thoughtfulness.

Our Lord blessed and enriched the lives of me and my family with the love of our wonderful mom. She had dementia, and our prayers for a quick and peaceful death for her were, most gratefully, answered.

Thank you most sincerely,Linda


Paraoptometric Continuing Education--Get Credit for What You Know

We Want What You HaveHelp other paraoptometrics benefit from your knowledge

• Do you have a special system for billing and coding?

• Do you know how to deal with “special” patients?

• Do you have good communication skills?

• Is there a pre-test, instrument or procedure that you are proficient in performing?

Why not share your knowledge with other paraoptometrics?The AOA Paraoptometric Section (PS) Online Continuing Education Committee is looking for authors. Each year, the PS provides six hours of free continuing education opportunities through articles posted on the AOA member Web site.

What are the benefits of having your article published on the Web site?Not only will you gain recognition for your article, but you may also receive three hours of continuing education. Your article will be scheduled for posting in 2009, so there’s plenty of time to complete your 1,500-word article.

Have the knowledge but are afraid of the writing process?Don’t worry, the Continuing Education Committee will guide you through the steps and mentor you as you work on your article. You don’t have to be a published or seasoned writer. Many of our authors have found the writing experience very rewarding. One of our recent authors was mentored by Rebecca Johnson, CPOT, and writing the article was educational, easy and FUN! Completing an article boosts self-confidence and, as an extra incentive, authors whose articles are published receive three CE credits for each one-hour CE article they write. What a great way to earn CE and share your knowledge with others!

We are looking for articles on any topic of interest that would provide education to paraoptometrics. The subject could be practice management, contact lens, glaucoma, or any topic that would help paraoptometrics in their day-to-day job responsibilities.

Your article may be written for basic, intermediate or advanced levels of knowledge. For more information on guidelines for authors, contact the PS manager at [email protected] or call 800-365-2219, ext. 4222. 17


Optometric Society Reports

Central Missouri Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jeffrey M. Gamble, O.D.

August CMOS meeting was held at D. Rowe’s in Columbia. The meeting was sponsored by Mike Burke of Coopervision. The meeting was well attended, and Mike was able to bring everyone up to speed on Coopervision’s line of contact lenses as well as express his company’s support for Missouri optometrists.

September CMOS meeting was held at Grand Cru and was sponsored by Steve Kidwell of BioVisions. The presentation was centered on the technology and clinical application of the Macuscope. A representative of the company had a unit available for area optometrists to measure their own macular pigment density. The presentation was informative and well received.

Officers for CMOS will remain the same as last year except for the addition of Sally Bodenhamer as Vice President. The remaining positions for the CMOS board are Heather Webster as President, Rob Bernskoetter as Secretary, and Andy Kramer as Treasurer.

CMOS does not have a meeting in October due to the MOA Convention. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 25th.

Greater Ozark Optometric SocietyTrustee: Scott M. Burks, O.D.

We had our second annual legislative thank you dinner on October 21st. It was a great success and had 10 area legislators attend along with a few spouses. We keep the evening informal and use it as opportunity to socialize with our representatives and senators.

GOOS hopes to have a productive year, and we are planning to have several CE opportunities this year to help area ODs meet the new CE requirements.

Continued next page

18


Society Reports, continued from page 18

Kansas City Optometric SocietyTrustee: John Gelvin, O.D., F.A.A.O.

The Kansas City Optometric Society has had maximum turnout for our 2008 society meetings. We are working hard to find meeting places that allow more doctors. It is getting more difficult to find appropriate restaurants that service groups over 60. We are pleased with the involvement. Please bear with us as we work towards a positive alternative to meeting locations.

The KC Board has been working on updating the bylaws of the society. This will be discussed at the next two society meetings. October’s meeting centered around practice management and marketing. This meeting was graciously sponsored by Allergan. November’s meeting will be our first meeting down at the new Power & Light District. This meeting is being sponsored by Vistakon.

Our December meeting will be our Christmas extravaganza! We will have our new Executive Director, Dr. LeeAnn Barrett, and our new MOA President, Dr. Wes Kemp, present at that meeting.

Northeast Optometric SocietyTrustee: Mindy Blackford O.D.

The NEOS met on Wednesday September 10 at the Pear Tree Restaruant in Bevier, MO. MOA President, Dr. Greg Goetzinger, and MOA Exective Director, Dr. LeeAnn Barrett, were guests. Dr. Goetzinger discussed the upcoming convention and other issues we are currently facing in Missouri. Dr. Barrett updated the group on the changes and happenings at the MOA office.

Southeast Optometric SocietyTrustee: James Hunt, O.D.

The important business conducted at our last society meeting was the election of officers for the upcoming year. The 2009 SEOS President is Dr. Ken Detring of Jackson, MO. Our Vice-President is Dr. Kayce Strohmeyer of Cape Girardeau, MO. Our Secretary/Treasurer is Dr. Dan Obermark from Sikeston, MO. The MOA Trustee is Dr. James Hunt of Doniphan, MO.

Many of our SEOS members made it to the MOA Fall Convention in Branson, MO. There were many nice comments made about the convention. Our society donated a fishing theme basket to the MOAA. The profits from the auction of the different society baskets will be used to grant additional scholarships to optometry students. A big thanks to Evelyn Hunt for her help on the SEOS basket.

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Southwest Optometric SocietyTrustee: Erica Burton, O.D.

Southwest Optometric Society Report Southwest Optometric Society’s most recent meeting took place in September. Dr. Frank Shaggets, MD, a local ear, nose and throat specialist sponsored the meeting and provided education to our membership on lid, sinus, and lacrimal repair procedures. This included a review of pre and post-operative care needed for our patients. Officers were elected and include: Dr. Jeremy Fast, president; Dr. Chad Moore, president-elect; Dr. Melissa Brown, secretary/treasurer; and Dr. Erica Burton, trustee. Reports were given by each officer and the calendar was reviewed for the upcoming year. Our final meeting of 2008 will be a Christmas party including spouses.

St. Louis Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jeffrey L. Weaver, O.D. | Associate Trustee: Thomas J. Cullinane, O.D.

MeetingsThe Saint Louis Optometric Society continues to meet monthly, the second Tuesday of the month, at the St. Louis Marriott West.

The August 12 meeting featured Gregory Raeman, COE, of the Eye Care Business Advisory Group delivering “Practice Management Update.” His presentation was generously sponsored by Allergan. On September 9, Barnes Retina Institute sponsored a “Vitreo-Retinal Update” by Drs. Kevin Blinder and Gaurav Shah. They emphasized diabetic macular edema, histoplasmosis syndrome and age-related macular degeneration. The October 14 meeting, sponsored by Cooper Vision, was highlighted by Dr. John Schachet discussing “Contemporary Silicon Hydrogel Lenses and Other CL Potpourri.”

Senator Jeff Smith EventOn Saturday, July 19, approximately 2,000 people attended Senator Jeff Smith’s (D-St. Louis) 3rd annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Community Fair at Fairground Park. The event offered free school supplies, books, food and drinks, health screenings and information about a myriad of useful services. SLOS had a very visible presence, providing vision screening to approximately 100 attendees. Thank you to all who helped in this event, especially to Dean Larry Davis for use of the UMSL College of Optometry’s Vision Van.

SLOS Trustee IssueThe Saint Louis Optometric Society would like to thank Missouri optometrists for their trust in approving the amendment to the MOA Articles of Agreement allowing SLOS to have two trustees (one vote). We believe that we will be able to continue to show the wisdom of this decision through increased success in our legislative efforts for the benefit of all optometrists across the Show-Me State. 20



West Central Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jason Lake, O.D.

The West Central Optometric Society did not meet during the last period. However, we had excellent attendance at the MOA convention and continue with an email campaign to increase membership and PAC donations.

HHS, from page 10

While most optometric practices fall into the small to medium categories, these costs are going to be significant: for a typical small practice, Nachimson Advisors estimates the total cost impact of the ICD-10 mandate as $83,290; for a typical medium practice, $285,195; and for a typical large practice, the total cost impact of the ICD-10 mandate as more than $2.7 million.

Requiring five times as many codes as the previous code set, the proposed rule would impact every aspect of business operations for physician practices and clinical laboratories and produce significant added costs in six key areas: Staff Education & Training, Contract Analysis, and Changes to Superbills, IT System Changes, Increased Documentation Costs, and Cash Flow Disruption.

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Hannibal800-325-4676

Lenexa800-397-2020


Welcome New Members

The Missouri Optometric Association is pleased to welcome the following new members. Please introduce yourself the next time you see them at an MOA sponsored event!

Glenn A. Branson, O.D.Donna L. Currier, O.D.Kevin M. Gardner, O.D.Jennifer K. Howard, O.D.Audrey B. Wood, O.D.

The Missouri Optometric Association-Paraoptometric Section is pleased to see their ranks continue to grow with the addition of the following new member.

Christine H. Adams

•••••

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CVLaw, from page 12

Helping school districts implement the law can’t be done at the state level. It can only be done effectively at the local level. This is where you, the local vision expert, need to get involved. I encourage you to be part of a “community vision team.” Sit down with your elementary school principal, school nurse, social worker, etc. and discuss how to get every kindergartner an eye exam. There is no cookie-cutter approach to this. Urban schools may have to implement this different than rural schools. Big schools will do it differently than small schools. But no matter the situation, every child deserves to start off school with good vision.

It is estimated that 70% of kindergartners have vision insurance already. Many parents are more than willing and able to pay for the exams because they see its value. But, please consider donating exams for the children who can’t afford them. You don’t need to be the one deciding who gets a donated exam. Let the schools determine that for you. If you work with the schools closely and develop a good rapport with them, they will ask for help only for children in real need. Before you know it, you’ll be the town hero. Enjoy the limelight!


2009

January 15-20Spring CEGrand Lido Braco, Jamaica

January 25-26MOA Legislative ConferenceCapitol Plaza HotelJefferson City, Missouri

February 13-15Heart of America Contact Lens SocietyKansas City, Missouri

May 29-31MOA Leadership RetreatLodge of the Four SeasonsLake Ozark, Missouri

June 24-28Optometry’s Meeting™Washington, D.C.

October 1-4MOA Annual ConventionLodge of the Four SeasonsLake Ozark, Missouri

Calendar of Upcoming Events

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2010


June 4-6MOA Leadership Retreat

2011


June 3-5MOA Leadership Retreat


StaffExecutive DirectorLeeAnn Barrett, [email protected]

Finance ManagerLinda [email protected]

Executive AssistantJay [email protected]

Governmental Relations ConsultantsJerry W. BurchP: 573/[email protected]

J. Scott Marrs P: 573/[email protected]

Legal CounselMarc H. EllingerP: 573/[email protected]

OfficersPresidentWesley D. Kemp, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

President-ElectRyan H. Powell, O.D.P: 816/[email protected]

TreasurerDuane ThompsonP: 660/[email protected]

SecretaryDebbie Hettler, O.D.P: 573/[email protected]

Immediate Past PresidentGregory J. Goetzinger, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

Leadership & Staff

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Southeast Society (9)James M. Hunt, O.D.P: 573/[email protected]

Southwest Society (7)Erica S. Burton, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

St. Louis Society (6)Jeffrey L. Weaver, O.D.P: 314/[email protected]

St. Louis Society - Associate TrusteeThomas J. Cullinane, O.D.P: 314/[email protected]

West Central Society (4)Jason S. Lake, O.D.P: 660/[email protected]

Trustees

Central Society (5)Jeffrey M. Gamble, O.D.P: 573/[email protected]

Greater Ozark Society (8)Scott M. Burks, O.DP: 417/[email protected]

Kansas City Society (3)John B. Gelvin, O.DP: 816/[email protected]

Northeast Society (2)Mindy M. Blackford, O.D.P: 660/[email protected]

Northwest Society (1)Jeffrey H. Powell, O.D.P: 660/[email protected]


Committees

Administrative ServicesRob Bernskoetter, O.D.P: 573/[email protected]

Affiliated OrganizationsKenneth C. Detring, O.D.P: 573/[email protected]

Clinical/EducationalBradley C. Lewis, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

Coordinating CommitteeWesley D. Kemp, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

Convention PlanningDuane A. Thompson, O.D.P: 660/[email protected]

Affiliated Organizations

Paraoptometric ChairCherie HarrisP:573/[email protected]

MOAA PresidentBeth ThompsonP:660/[email protected]

Governmental AffairsTom CulllinaneP: 314/[email protected]

Membership ServicesScott Ream, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

Public RelationsKyle Brost, O.D.P: 573/[email protected]

Third Party PaymentsRich Wilson, O.D.P: 816/[email protected]

MOF PresidentRex Newcomb, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

State Board PresidentJames Bureman, O.D.P: 417/[email protected]

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About VISION

VISION is published bimonthly by the Missouri Optometric Association.100 East High Street, Suite 301Jefferson City, Missouri 65101P: 573/635-6151

Editors of Publications:

Lee Ann Barrett, O.D. 1201 West BroadwayColumbia, Missouri 65203P: 573/445-8636F: 573/[email protected]

James M. Hunt, O.D.204 Washington StDoniphan, Missouri 63935P: 573/996-3937F: 573/[email protected]

Send all unsolicited articles, news, and advertising to the MOA Central Office. All opinions and statements of supposed fact in signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Missouri Optometric Association.

Deadlines are the first of January, March, May, July, September, and November.

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also inside this issue missouri optometric … given by american optometric association trustee, ......

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