NEW- TOA Website DebutsTOA Unveils New Website In Partnership with AOATOA is proud and excited to unveil a new website at http://texas.aoa.org. In partnership with AOA, the new website has updated information- a more complete resource for doctors, students, paraoptometrics, the public and the media. Until now, TOA maintained two websites: one for members and one for non-members. Now, working with AOA staff, the new website integrates both, providing a feature that allows open access to general topics but 'locks' member information and benefits to TOA-AOA members. Going under the AOA 'umbrella' enables a 'seamless' transition and sharing of information. Joint websharing also allows organized optometry to command a bigger share of the the 'web' market. To access the members-only features, TOA members will need to use their AOA ID number and birthday. Once inside the site, members can change their information to a personal username and password, and update their information for the public "Dr. Locator-Find an Optometrist" feature. If you don't know your AOA member ID number, you can contact AOA at 800-365-2219, TOA at 512-707-2020 or email TOACURT@austin.rr.com. |
2008 TOA Convention"The Heartbeat of Optometry" The 2008 TOA Convention will be held in Austin February 14-17. "The Heartbeat of Optometry" is scheduled with complete dual-track education, top-name speakers, Behind Closed Doors program with a $200 rebate to participants and special events such as the President's luncheon, awards banquet and the band, featuring optometry's own Roland Montemayor, OD. Watch your mail and email for details to come or go to TOA's new website http://texas.aoa.org for a registration form.
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Tom Annunziato, OD Announces for State Representative TOA Past President Tom Annunziato, OD announced his candidacy for Texas State Representative from district 99 in Fort Worth-Tarrant County.
Annunziato, a long time TOA member who has held almost every office available to a TOA member, is a past recipient of both the Texas and AOA Optometrist of the Year award. He is a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force, and has been active in his local Republican party, having served as a local precinct chairman. In fact, for the past several years Tom has actively urged all optometrists to become involved in party politics by becoming a precinct chair. Annunziato said, "I expect this to be a hard-fought race and the support that members of my profession have and will give, will make a critical difference." "Already, I'm humbled and overwhelmed by the level support that my fellow optometrists have shown in this race. When all is said and done, I look forward to being able to say to each and every one of you, 'there is finally a Doctor in the House - a Doctor of Optometry.'" |
VSP and Cigna Sign National AgreementBy Bob Day, OD, Liaison, VSP Editor's Note: The TOA office has received numerous questions concerning letters received from VSP concerning their new arrangement with CIGNA. VSP liaison Bob Day, Jr., OD, has explained the agreement in the following information. The recently signed agreement between VSP and CIGNA has two parts (routine vision care and medical eye care services). Firstly, for routine vision care, VSP will serve as the third party administrator (TPA) for CIGNA's new routine vision produce, CIGNA Vision. Although VSP will administer the plan though VSP's Choice Network, all client and member communications will refer to the coverage as CIGNA Vision. For example, all CIGNA Vision members will have a CIGNA Vision ID card. For VSP's Choice Network providers, obtaining eligibility, authorization and claims processing will be business as usual through VSP. During the next year of transition, other non-VSP providers will be phased out as CIGNA member contacts renew. For additional information, please refer to the Choice eManuals at Eyefinity.com's VSPOnLine. Secondly, for medical eye care services, starting in March 2008 in Texas, VSP's Choice Network providers will automatically be added to CIGNA's PPO and OAP (Open Access Plan) provider network. These providers will work directly with CIGNA (not VSP) to check eligibility, submit claims and receive reimbursement. Therefore, CIGNA members, who have PPO or OAP medical coverage, can have services provided by a VSP Choice Network provider through this in-network basis with payment to the provider directly from CIGNA. Providers will be reimbursed 100% of the billed charges up to 80% of the RBRVS (Resource Based Relative Value Scale). A VSP's Choice Network provider may establish an online account for PPO and OAP coverage with CIGNA at www.cignaforhcp.com. Electronic Submission of Claims (EDI) can be established through this CIGNA website, Erndeon (formerly WebMD) or VSP's Eyefinity. Of course, additional information can be obtained from VSP's Provider Relations or I will help you find the answer. Bob Day, O.D.
Bob.Day9@verizon.net
VSP's Texas Professional Representative
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Founding Dean Named for UIW Optometry SchoolHani Ghazi-Birry, PhD, MD, OD named first dean of new school in San Antonio
Dr. Ghazi-Birry (with San Antonio OD's,7th from the left, next to his wife, Erin) has an impressive resume. - B.S., 1982, The Pennsylvania State University
- M.S., 1985, The University of Western Ontario
- Ph.D., 1989, Oxford University, Dept. of Ophthalmology
- M.D., 1991, The University of Glasgow
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1995-1998, Wake Forest Univ., School of Medicine
- O.D., 2001, Southern College of Optometry
The University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio has named Hani Ghazi-Birry, MS, MD, OD, PhD, OCS to serve as the founding dean of the new optometry school, set to open in the fall of 2009. Dr. Ghazi-Birry is currently an associate professor at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. He serves as the primary instructor in the Pharmacology and Neuro-Ophthalmology areas. He also instructs in the areas of pathology,public health, neuroanatomy, clinical medicine,optics and physiology. He received his optometry degree from SCO and completed a sabbatical training program in clinical neuron-ophthalmology. UIW Provost Terry Dicianna said UIW is lucky to have a doctor of the caliber of Dr. Ghazi-Birry to lead the school in their new endeavor. Dicianna said the optometry school will open in a 200,000 square foot facility and set up at least one if not two clinics by the second year of operation. The school will also be starting a Pre-Optometry program to funnel students into the Optometry program. Dr. Ghazi-Birry, who will relocate in February, 2008 with his wife, pediatric optometrist Erin R. Nosel, OD, MS, FAAO, said he hopes to bring to the university a faculty of clinicians dedicated to medical optometric and neuro-optometric patient care. |
Diabetes Care Means Coordinating with Other PhysiciansPrimary care optometrists are on the front lines of diabetes care. With comprehensive care including a dilated fundus examination, we can detect signs of diabetic retinopathy that may lead to improved visual and health outcomes for our patients. Collaboration with internists, family physicians, diabetologists, diabetes educators, and a host of other health professionals is essential to raising awareness about optometry's role in diabetes care. To facilitate communication, an electronic letter has been designed to quickly and easily relay your findings. In addition, the Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association communicate to the public on a regular basis about our profession and the integral role we play in diabetes care (http://texas.aoa.org). Be sure to update your contact information in the Dr. Locator search engine on the web, so that together we can make a difference in the battle against diabetes. |
Society SpotlightSociety Presidents Meet to Share InformationA reception was held for Society Presidents at the recent EyeCon meeting in Dallas. Several of the state's 23 societies sent their president or top officer to discuss various issues occurring in their area of the state. Tony Tran, OD, President of the Dallas County Optometric Society, said, "The reception was a great venue for presidents across the state to share ideas on how to grow their respective societies and increase OD involvement at the local level." "After all," he added, "this is where the success of our profession starts. Grass roots involvement is essential for us to move forward at the state and national levels, and society presidents must collaborate to optimize progress." The event also gave the society officers an opportunity to meet with TOA's Board of Directors and many committee chairs. It was part of TOA's ongoing commitment to membership as everyone was able to share ideas and philosophy of how the societies and TOA should interface and strive for like goals. |
Billing, Coding and MoreMedicare Fee-For-Service Providers: Register Now for the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services - Provider Community (IACS-PC) In the near future, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be announcing new online enterprise applications that will allow Medicare fee-for-service providers to access, update, and submit information over the Internet. Details of these provider applications will be announced as they become available. Even though these new internet applications are not yet available, CMS recommends that providers take the time now to set up their online account so they can access these applications as soon as they are available. The first step is for the provider or appropriate staff to register for access through a new CMS security system known as the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services - Provider Community (IACS-PC). A recent MLN Matters article, the first in a new series on IACS-PC, addresses key questions and answers about the registration process and can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0747.pdf on the CMS website. |
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