Member Advantages

All OOA member benefits, or advantages, align under one of the three pillars of Resources, Advocacy, and Awareness.

RESOURCES Pillar edited 1   ADVOCACY Pillar edited 1   AWARENESS Pillar edited 1

Community & CE Events

Student Loan Repayment Program

Professional Assistance

Legislative Updates

Insurance Options

Third Party / Practice Advancement

RESOURCES

  • PERSPECTIVES
    The OOA's main communication tool, Perspectives updates members on all aspects of the association including legislative updates, third-party issues, and membership information.

  • Mental Health Resources
    Partnership with Ohio Physicians Health Program
 

Community and CE Events

 

Professional Assistance

 

Insurance Options

 

 

 

 

Third-Party Engagement and Practice Advancement

  • Assistance with Third-Party Payer Issues


    In light of recent events with several insurance providers, the OOA is enhancing its guidance and assistance for members on third-party payer issues. Recognizing that not every insurance issue necessitates an appeal, moving forward the process will be called Insurance Engagement. All insurance and billing and coding inquiries will be processed through this form:

    OOA Insurance Engagement Process

    Questions and concerns will be compiled and provided to the OOA Third-Party Committee prior to each quarterly meeting. Committee members will review all issues in advance and ask for additional information if necessary, while decisions on certain issues will be made during quarterly meetings. Responses will be provided to individual doctors and to the entire membership when applicable.

  • HIPAA Billing/Coding Assistance and Credentialing through CSEYE
    The OOA has partnered with CSEYE to provide its members assistance with HIPAA billing and coding compliance.

  • Third Party Bulletin
    Quarterly newsletter reviewing current issues with third party payers.

  • Merchant Processing Services

  • Group Purchasing Discounts through AOA Excel®: Your Business Advantage

  • AOA More - Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR)
    AOA Measures and Outcomes Registry for Eyecare - private, secure database that systematically integrates patient data from multiple electronic health record (EHR) systems and facilitates secondary uses of the data.

  • AOA "Find a Doctor" Online Directory
    Every OOA member is listed on the AOA's Doctor Locator feature.

  • 2022 Member Insurance Rating Survey

    2022 OOA Member insurance rating Survey
 

Ohio Diabetic Eye Alliance

Ohio Diabetic Eye AllianceThe Ohio Diabetic Eye Alliance (ODEA) is a network of optometrists throughout the state who are committed to caring for diabetic patients. Members of ODEA work with hospital systems and insurers throughout Ohio to deliver the highest quality eye care to diabetic patients.

ODEA is currently recruiting doctors to join in the effort to improve the continuity of eye care for diabetic patients across points of access in the health care system.

Sign up to become a member of ODEA

To learn more about how the alliance works, download the ODEA Partnership description.

AOA Diabetic Eye Examination Report [ Download Here ]

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ADVOCACY

  • Latest Legislative Updates in PERSPECTIVES

  • Statehouse Bill Tracking Report
    Check for updates on the current bills and legislation the OOA is tracking.

  • Ohio Optometric Political Action Committee (OOPAC)
    OOPAC's goal is to help elect pro-optometry candidates for office, regardless of party affiliation.

  • Representing optometry at the Statehouse and educating lawmakers on the profession and the importance of comprehensive eye care for all Ohioans.

  • Monitoring the activities of state policymakers to ensure that the profession’s voice is heard and that your patients, practice, and profession are protected from unnecessary government intervention.

  • Working to pass legislation that advances the abilities of the profession and patient needs including the repeal of the state income tax on prescriptive eye wear and the Vision Services Act.

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AWARENESS

  • Realeyes Program

    • Each year the Realeyes Program educates over 100,000 school-age children from PreK through 12th grade on eye health, safety, and the importance of comprehensive eye care. Realeyes Overview
    • Make connections in your community by presenting Realeyes at your local schools. Training, student handouts, and schedule coordinating are all provide by expert Realeyes Program Coordinators. Reach out to realeyes@ooa.org to be connected to the coordinator for your area.
    • Optometrists and optometric staff that want to be involved in Realeyes can contact the OOA or fill out this form: Realeyes Presenter Sign-up.
    • The Journey Through An Exam self-guided curriculum is available to all members to use in waiting and exam rooms. Contact Realeyes to order supplies.

  • Ohio Vision Project OVP Student Loan Repayment Program


    The Application Window for 2024 OVP SLR Awards has ended. Award winners will be announced and notified in August 2024.

    OVP Student Loan Repayment LogoThe program, through the OOA, in partnership with the Ohio Vision Project (OVP), is available to all OOA Member ODs with outstanding education loan debt, regardless of the number of years in practice. It is the first and only program in the nation to recognize ODs who are committed to treating underserved populations.

    One of the goals of the OVP Loan Repayment Program is to assist doctors of optometry who are meeting the ocular health needs of those in underserved populations of Ohio. It is designed to encourage and reward optometrists who are providing care for those most in need, including patients living in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA), Medically Underserved Area/Populations (MUA/P), and those on Medicaid or Medicaid Managed Care.

    The OVP Loan Repayment Program is retrospective and accepts applications from those who demonstrate that they are already serving communities in great need of vision care. Loan repayment applicants will be reviewed based on their service over 2023. Applicants are eligible to apply annually. Special consideration will be given to those applicants who see Medicaid patients, provide pro bono care, volunteer in their community beyond optometric services, and practice in a MUA/P or HPSA.  

    • Mandatory Criteria:

      • Licensed Ohio OD
      • Practicing in Ohio
      • Member of the Ohio Optometric Association
      • Medicaid or Medicaid Managed Care provider
      • Must have qualifying unpaid student loans
      • Must complete W-9 form (included in application packet)

    • Examples of Scored Criteria:

      • Amount of outstanding loan debt
      • Number of years in practice
      • Pro bono care (office-related)
      • Volunteerism (eye care and community related)
      • Prior awards received from OVP

    • Contact info@ooa.org with questions.

  • iSee Program through the Ohio Optometric Foundation
    Provision of charitable eye care to Ohio school children.

  • Vision Simulator Cards
    Available to members for use in their office and/or as community resources.

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