AOA Introduces Health and Vision Plan Action Report

AOA Introduces Health and Vision Plan Action Report

The American Optometric Association (AOA) Third Party Center has introduced the Health and Vision Plan Action Report, a daily log of AOA and affiliate efforts to support full reimbursement and fair coverage policies. The report details the plan, member doctor’s concern or complaint, action taken by the AOA or affiliate, and the outcome of the outreach.

With new laws enacted by Congress, more legislation anticipated this year at the federal and state level, an expectation of additional federal regulation, and a recent Supreme Court ruling affecting the reach of longstanding insurance law, the AOA’s Third Party Center has employed new and traditional paths to challenge undesirable policies and actions of health and vision plans. Members are also encouraged to report difficulties with a health or vision plan by emailing stopvisionplanabuses@aoa.org. 

The AOA Third Party Center advocates for the inclusion of full-scope optometric care and the inclusion of comprehensive ophthalmic examinations as a core benefit in all medical insurance and ERISA plans so that all Americans have access to quality eye care through their choice of appropriate provider.

Members can access the Health and Vision Plan Action Report in the First Look email newsletters.

The AOA Third Party Center has defined a set of advocacy goals associated with the report. From urging Federal officials to increase enforcement of national provider anti-discrimination laws to the recently introduced Dental and Optometric Care Access Act, the AOA is committed to working at the national, state and individual level to identify vision plan abuses and determine solutions to overcome them.

For more information, visit AOA.org.