Sports-Related Eye Injuries Blind Thousands of People Each Year
As millions take to the playing field this spring, the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons warns the public that thousands of people are blinded by sports-related eye injuries. In support of Sports Eye Safety Month this April, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds coaches, parents and athletes of the importance of wearing eye protection - whether for Little League or the Majors.
FSO Proposed Bylaws Changes
Last summer the FSO President, Jaime Membreno, MD appointed an ad hoc committee to review and update the FSO bylaws. Below you will find a copy of the FSO bylaws with the proposed edits tracked in red. The membership will vote on the proposed changes at the Annual Business Meeting that will be held in Conjunction with the Masters in Ophthalmology 2014 Meeting on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL.
Recommendations for Officer Positions 2014-2015
The Nominating Committee, chaired by Charles B. Slonim, MD, recommends the following slate of candidates for officer positions for the 2014-2015 term.
| President-Elect: | Brad Oren, MD |
|---|---|
| Vice President of Advocacy: | Krishna Kishor, MD |
| Vice President of Education: | David Eichenbaum, MD |
| Vice President of Outreach: | Stacey Kruger, MD |
| Secretary-Treasurer: | Adam Katz, MD |
Note: Rick Bendel, MD will assume the position of President, Jaime Membreno, MD, will assume the position of Immediate Past-President along with Charles Slonim, MD.
The Nominating Committee included: Michael Connor, MD, William J. Mallon, MD, Jaime Membreno, MD, Clifford Salinger, MD and Charles Slonim, MD.
House Approves Medicare
Payment Reform Legislation
On Friday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amended version of H.R. 4015 (237-182) that would repeal the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula that serves as the underpinning of Medicare physician payment and provide for other Medicare payment reforms.
2014 Legislative Session Begins Next Week
The 2014 Legislative Session officially begins next Tuesday, March 4, 2014. The FMA has provided the Florida Society of Ophthalmology with some important fact sheets and informational tools relative to the major legislative issues that will be addressed during the upcoming session.
1. Fact Sheet on Nurse Practitioners/Independent Practice
2. A Scope of Practice Comparison Wheel of Health Professionals
3. Fact Sheet on the FMA's Insurance Reform Package Legislation (HB 1001)
4. A copy of the FMA's Insurance Reform Package, House Bill (HB) 1001 by Rep. Jason Brodeur
Throughout session, the FSO will keep members updated on important legislative news via the FSO website, email alerts and faxes as needed.
Florida Society of Ophthalmology Co-Sponsors Vision Summit at Florida State Capitol
Tallahassee-The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) co-sponsored the Eighth Annual Florida Vision Summit today at the Florida State Capitol. The Vision Summit, hosted by the Florida Legislature's Vision Caucus and the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB), educates those living with vision loss and promotes the importance of maintaining early-intervention services for blind babies.
"Our mission at the Florida Society of Ophthalmology is to promote the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida, and participating in the annual Vision Summit is a proud tradition for our society and our physician members," said Jaime Membreno, MD, President of the FSO. "We are grateful for the efforts of our colleagues at the FAASB for educating Florida families about the resources available to blind and visually-impaired individuals."
Masters in Ophthalmology 2013 Annual Meeting Slides and Recordings Now Available
FSO members have special access to download slides and recordings from the Masters in Ophthalmology 2013 Annual Meeting. Presentations available include:
- Edward Buckley, MD‒Disruptive Innovation: Predicting the Future of Medicine
- Edward Buckley, MD‒Orbital Mass in Children
- Steven A. Newman, MD‒Imaging in Ophthalmology
- Steven A. Newman, MD‒Neuro-ophthalmic Diagnosis Not to Miss
- Steven I. Rosenfeld, MD‒Closed Claims Study and Areas Where Medical Malpractice Occurs
Please click HERE, and you will be directed to the FSO community login page. Once logged in, you will be directed to the slides and audio.
Approved Co-Management Consent Forms
There has been a recent change in the Florida law regarding co-management of patients. The new law took effect on July 1, 2013. The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) and its general counsel have worked closely with OMIC to develop two sample forms to aid you in compliance with the new law.
You should consult with your own personal attorney if you have specific questions regarding your co-management practices and to ensure billing protocols comply with these requirements.
Patient-Specific Transfer of Care Letter from Surgeon
Patient Informed Consent to Co-Management of Postoperative Care
Guidance on the New Affordable Care Act Childhood Vision Care Benefit
As the Affordable Care Act insurance programs began open enrollment Oct. 1, and many uninsured parents begin signing up for new health plans, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) – in conjunction with other key health organizations – are reiterating their guidance on the importance of childhood vision screening and comprehensive eye exams, and encouraging parents to take advantage of a newly acquired benefit that provides full coverage of essential eye care services for kids.
Denied Claims to NCCI Edits
First Coast Service Options, Inc. (First Coast), the Medicare Administrative Contractor for jurisdiction 9 (MAC J9) which includes Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is aware of the issue related to the inappropriate claim denials for certain eye visit services (92012/92014), when the codes are billed with other services performed on the same date of service and appended with modifier 25. A July 2013 NCCI edit has the services 92012 or 92014 bundled into column one CPT/HCPCS codes that describe surgical procedures with a global period of 0, 10, or 90 days. However, the computer system is not recognizing the applicable modifiers that allows bypass of the edit.
Cataract Informed Consent Form
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology seeks to better protect ophthalmologists and our patients throughout the informed consent process, particularly in the area of cataract surgery. Because Florida law currently fails to describe the recognized risks of cataract surgery, a substantial number of "recognized risks" associated with cataract surgery continue to be improperly reported to regulators as "Code 15" adverse incidents.
Upcoming Events
Masters in Ophthalmology
6/20/2014
Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes
Florida Medical Association 2014 Annual Meeting
7/25/2014
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
2014 Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) Summer Symposium
8/7/2014
Lansdowne Resort