The FSO Clarity Report - Spring 2025
President's Message
Raquel Goldhardt, MD, FACS
President, Florida Society of Ophthalmology
Full Speed Ahead: FSO Kicks Off an Exciting 2025!
As we charge into the New Year, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is in high gear, working tirelessly on two of our most important missions: protecting our patients and delivering exceptional education at the Masters in Ophthalmology 2025 meeting!
Defending Excellence in Eye Care
The Florida Legislature is in session, and the FSO is on the front lines, ensuring Florida patients continue to receive the highest standard of eye care. Our powerhouse team—expert lobbyists, regulatory attorneys, strategic communicators, and dedicated staff—is working around the clock, often daily, to safeguard our profession. Many of these top-tier professionals have partnered with the FSO for years, and their expertise is invaluable. But great teams require strong support—and that’s where you come in. Our leadership volunteers their time, but we also need financial backing to keep fighting for patient safety and the integrity of our profession.
The FSOs legislative committee and lobbying team are working diligently during this very busy legislative session to defeat House Bill 449, a dangerous and invasive bill that would allow untrained optometrists to perform eye surgery and expand their prescribing authority. We need all members to contact their Senators and Representative to urge them to vote NO against this egregious and unnecessary legislation.
For more information on all the legislation that the FSO is watching, login to view the FSO Legislative Report at the bottom of the email.
How Can YOU Help? It’s Simple!
With zero-time commitment, you can make a huge impact by:
- Contribute a minimum of $1,000 to FOCUS, the FSO’s political committee.
- Donate to the Safe Ocular Surgery Fund (SOS) to protect surgical safety in Florida. Donations to SOS are anonymous!
- Join the President’s Leadership Circle—when called upon, pledge to contribute $1,000 directly to candidates who support ophthalmology.
FSO needs your membership and support to continue this essential work at the highest level. Without it, patient safety could be at risk!
Masters in Ophthalmology 2025: The Can't-Miss Event of the Year!
Mark your calendars for June 6-8, 2025, because Masters in Ophthalmology 2025 will be at a new venue— the Waldorf Astoria Orlando! Masters 2025 is Florida’s premier ophthalmology meeting—renowned nationwide for its stellar faculty, world-class education, and incredible networking opportunities.
What’s in Store This Year?
- Elite Faculty Lineup – Learn from top experts who present at AAO, ASCRS, ASRS, ASPORS, EURETINA, and more—right here in Florida!
- CME-Certified Sessions – Earn continuing medical education credits while gaining cutting-edge insights.
- Subspecialty Breakout Sessions – Get up-to-date knowledge from leading experts in every ophthalmic field.
- Young Ophthalmologist Program – New to your career? Join us for a dynamic session on career development, practice building, avoiding burnout, and advocacy.
- Exhibit & Sponsor Engagement – Connect with industry leaders, explore new technologies, and build lasting relationships. Click here to see what companies are already signed up to participate.
Pro Tip: Bring your family and turn this into a fun, relaxing, and educational long weekend at one of Florida’s most luxurious resorts!
Act Now: Register Today!
This is YOUR Society, and we are here to support YOU. Don’t miss out—register now and renew your membership at the same time! Join us in shaping the future of ophthalmology in Florida!
Thank you for being part of the FSO family—together, we are stronger!
Meeting Sponsors
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology appreciates the support from many industry partners as they play an important part in ensuring our meeting has a fantastic turn out. Thank you to the following companies who are signed up to exhibit at Masters in Ophthalmology 2025:
AbbVie
Alcon
Alivi Health
Amgen
ANI Pharmaceuticals
Apellis Pharmaceuticals
Astellas
Cadence Collaborative
Cardinal Health
CorneaGen
Dompe
Essilor Instruments USA
EyeMD EMR
For Eye Care Foundation
Genentech
Global Vision Inc.
Heidleberg Engineering
Kedrion
Lions World Vision Institute
Lumibird Medical
ModMed
New World Medical
Ocular Therapeutix
Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company
Optos Inc.
RxSight
ScienceBased Health
Topcon Healthcare
Coding and Reimbursement Update 2025 Webinar-Recording Available for Purchase
If you missed the Coding and Reimbursement Update 2025 webinar on Wednesday, February 28, you may purchase a copy of the recording. The fee for FSO members (or staff of an FSO member is $175, and the fee for non-members (or staff of a non-member) is $275.
Course Overview
Physicians and coding experts will get updated information on current coding and reimbursement that will help your practice bill for the highest allowable reimbursement and avoid penalties and denials.
Target Audience
This activity is designed for physicians, nurses, coders, technicians, and administrators with a fairly good understanding of Medicare requirements, CPT and diagnosis code usage, and billing for services rendered.
Topics
- Fee Schedule Updates — Additions, Deletions and Revisions
- Deciphering the new Eyeglass Rule
- Clarification on CPT code G2211 Visit Complexity Add on Code
- Global Surgery Payment Accuracy
- Changes to Telemedicine — What Medicare Will and Won’t Pay For
- Incident to Requirements for 2025
- Rise in Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment
- When are Medicare Advantage Plans Required/Not Required to Follow Medicare Rules?
- Department of Justice Focus on Ophthalmic Services
- Ophthalmology Codes
- Photobiomodulation Therapy (0936T)
- Eye Movement Analysis (0615T)
- Iris Procedures (66680, 66682, 66683, 0616T-0618T)
- Optical Coherence Tomography (92132-92134, 92137)
Purchase the recording here!
Legislative Update
Monica Rodriguez
Legislative Consultant, Ballard Partners
The next Legislative Session is almost here, and we are hard at work as we prepare for another fight against the optometry scope of practice bill this year.
To read more, please log in to your FSO profile and download the report at the bottom of this page.
To support our efforts, please consider donating to one of our advocacy groups:
Third Party Liaison Report
L. Neal Freeman, MD, FACS
Chair, Third Party Liaison
Step Therapy
The potential limitation in supply of repackaged Avastin has prompted efforts to suspend step therapy and preauthorization requirements for anti-VEGF therapy. The anticipated supply shortages of Avastin are due to the announcement of Pine Pharmaceuticals to cease providing repackaged Avastin.
Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act
The Seniors Timely Access to Care Act reduces prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage plans. This Act has widespread support in the physician community and in Congress.
Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment
Ambulatory Surgery Center Payment from Medicare has increased by close to 3% for 2025. The 2025 ASC conversion factor is $54.895 for ASCs that meet quality reporting requirements. This compares to a 2024 conversion factor of $53.51.
Hurricane Adjustments
The Merit-based Incentive Payment System automatic extreme and uncontrollable circumstances policy will be applied to MIPS eligible clinicians who were affected by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, or Francine. Further details are available here.
Call for Nominations
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is now accepting nominations through Friday, April 11 from members in good standing who are interested in serving as an Officer, or as an At-Large Member on the Board of Directors.
Candidates must submit a current curriculum vitae (CV), must acknowledge requirements of service, such as no conflicts of interest with the FSO agenda, must commit to attending and participating at all Board of Directors meetings and conference calls and must remain current with annual dues and a member in good standing with the FSO.
Officer positions are one (1) year terms, and the At-Large Member positions are three (3) year terms. Nominees are selected by the nominating committee, approved by the Board and voted on by the FSO membership.
To submit a nomination, please click here. A complete nomination package requires a CV, letter of intent, letter of recommendation and headshot photo. All attachments are required to be considered. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed by the nominating committee.
Nominations are due on Friday, April 11. The FSO nominating committee will meet at the end of April and will contact selected candidates after the meeting. The final slate will be posted to the FSO website and presented to the FSO membership for final approval at the annual business meeting in Orlando on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Attendance at the annual meeting is required.
FSO 2025 Annual Awards
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is accepting nominations for the annual awards that will be presented at the Masters in Ophthalmology 2025 meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Orlando, FL during the annual business meeting on Saturday, June 7.
To recognize the achievements of your colleagues and fellow members for one of the awards below, please submit your nomination by Friday, April 25, 2025. Please be sure to tell us why the nominee should receive the suggested award in the justification field below. Click here to see a list of past award recipients.
The David B. Cano, MD, Volunteer Service Award
Established in honor of David B. Cano, MD to honor an individual for their commitment and dedication to helping those in need.
The James W. Clower, Jr., MD Community Service Award
Shall be given to the Florida ophthalmologist who has made the greatest contribution of time and service to his/her community.
The John R. Brayton, Jr., MD Leadership Award
Established in honor of John R. Brayton, MD, shall be given to the Florida ophthalmologist to recognize leadership and dedication to preserving the profession of ophthalmology.
The Michael R. Redmond, MD Outstanding Young Ophthalmologist Leadership Award
Recognizing organizational leadership, service and professional ability in a young (under 40 years of age) Florida Ophthalmologist.
The Shaler Richardson, MD Service to Medicine Award
Shall be given annually to the Florida ophthalmologist who has made the greatest personal contribution to quality patient care by coordinating, participating, collaborating, and integrating ophthalmology into the great body of the medical profession on a local, state or national level.
To nominate an FSO member for one of the awards listed above, please click here.
Membership Update
Helayna Brown, MD
Chair, Membership/Regional Representatives Committee
Membership & Mentorship Committee Updates – Get Involved!
We are excited to announce the formation of a Membership Committee, which will be a valuable asset to our society. This committee will consist of six (6) representatives, one from each region of the state: Pensacola, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa/Naples, Palm Beach, and Miami. If you are interested in serving on this committee or would like to recommend a colleague, please email membership@mdeye.org. We aim to hold our first committee meeting very soon!
Additionally, the Mentorship Committee has made significant progress in establishing a mentorship program designed to connect trainees with experienced ophthalmologists in the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO). This program will provide invaluable guidance as trainees transition from training to practice. We currently have six (6) dedicated mentors ready to get started, but we need more mentees to take advantage of this opportunity!
Please help us promote this initiative by sharing it with your colleagues. Encourage trainees to participate and benefit from this mentorship experience.
For more details, visit: Mentorship Program | Florida Society of Ophthalmology
Dues Season is Here – Renew Your Membership Today!
If you haven’t renewed your FSO membership yet, we encourage you to do so promptly. Your membership helps sustain our efforts to support and advocate for ophthalmologists across Florida.
While renewing, please consider making a donation to FOCUS, SOS, or For Eye Care Foundation to support our ongoing initiatives and ensure we can continue our important work.
Help Grow Our Membership – Earn $100 Off Your Dues!
As we all know, members are the future of our society. Help us grow by recruiting new members!
For every new member you bring in, you’ll receive $100 off your annual dues. There’s no limit—keep recruiting and keep saving!
Thank you for your support in strengthening our FSO community!
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