• Registration and housing now open
News
Resources
Annual Meeting
The AAOE Program of the 2010 Joint Meeting begins in Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Members and nonmembers may now register online and secure housing. For more information, view the Registration and Hotels and Travel pages.
View courses dedicated to Compliance & Risk Management or our detailed program by day page for a complete overview of AAOE programs and events.
Plan your itinerary now with the Virtual Advance Program brochure.
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News
Malpractice
AMA Report Finds 95 Percent of Physicians Will Be Sued Study show that patient complaints correlate positively with malpractice risk.
Medicare Audits - Chart Signature Requirements
Recent audits conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Comprehensive Error Rate Testing (CERT) program specify the importance of the physician signature. The signature indicates that the physician agrees with all chart documentation and that it is complete. According to CERT, ideally the signature will contain the rendering provider’s first and last names together with his or her credentials (MD, DO, NP, PA, etc.). This should be accompanied by the date of the service. Stamped signatures, scrawled initials or illegible signatures do not constitute valid “legible signatures” and may subject a claim to denial upon review. Remember that these rules apply even when the ophthalmologist is the only one writing in the chart.
Fraud and Abuse
President Unveils Anti-Fraud Initiative for Government Programs On March 11, President Obama announced a new effort to crack down on waste and fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs through the expanded use of payment-recapture audits above and beyond the Recovery Audit Contractors currently operating. The initiative offers specialized private auditors financial incentives to root out improper payments.
Healthcare fraud cases rise 30 percent Read story from FierceHealthcare.
The revised CMS Medicare Fraud & Abuse fact sheet (February 2010), helps you understand what to do if you suspect or become aware of incidents of potential Medicare fraud or abuse.
ASC Compliance
Medicare Targets ASCs in Infection-Control Efforts $9 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is available to state survey agencies in 43 states for ASC inspections. The onsite reviews are designed to ensure that ASCs are following Medicare’s health and safety standards. State surveyors will use a new CMS survey process that implements a tool developed in conjunction with the CDC. In addition, the CDC is making available $40 million to state public health departments to:
- Create or expand state-based health care associated infection (HAI) prevention and surveillance efforts; and
- Strengthen the public health workforce trained to prevent HAIs.
These funds support the Department of Health and Human Services’ 2009 action plan to prevent HAIs. The impact of inspections on ophthalmology-based ASCs has not been determined.
New ASC Conditions for Coverage now in effect Read the CMS Memorandum.
Medicare’s New ASC Advance-Notice Requirements Explained The Academy, in collaboration with the Ophthalmic Outpatient Surgery Society (OOSS), has written a primer with frequently asked questions to explain Medicare’s new ASC advance-notification requirements. The Academy has joined two other groups in opposing CMS’ ongoing prohibition of same-day surgery in ASCs, under new conditions for coverage.
Privacy, Security and Health Information Technology
FTC Extends Enforcement Deadline for Identity Theft Red Flags Rule through Dec. 31, 2010
At the request of several Members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission is further delaying enforcement of the "Red Flags" Rule through Dec. 31, 2010, while Congress considers legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the Rule. View May 28 press release. View resources and frequently asked questions. AMA files lawsuit to exclude physicians from FTC law.
HITECH Act Information Effective Sept. 15, 2009 the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act imposes data breach notification requirements for HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates. Read more
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Resources
Forms
OMIC Risk Management Recommendations and Sample Informed Consent Documents
Business Associate Contracts are now subject to HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. Use this template (AAOE member login required).
Archived Courses
AAOE Resource: View select courses as presented during the AAOE Program of the 2009 Joint Meeting
Compliance courses include:
- Compliance FAQ: How Would You Respond?
- MD/OD/JD: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- United States vs. Ophthalmologist: You Judge
Academy Statements
On-Call Compensation for Ophthalmologists An Academy statement on the inherent responsibility of community ophthalmologists to be available for emergency eye care and on-call compensation for ophthalmologists was issued November 2009.
Joint Position Paper Ophthalmic Postoperative Care
Government Resources
Guidance and Standards on Language Access Services from Office Of Inspector General (OIG)
Refusing to see a patient with a disability is generally considered discrimination. Read Access to Medical Care for Persons with Mobility Disabilities published by DOJ and HHS.
HIPAA information from the HHS
New or updated compliance assistance products available from OSHA
Excluded Parties List System (EPLS)
Review audit standards from U.S. Gov't Accountability Office
OIG Compliance Plan For Individual & Small Group Physician Practices (PDF 345K)
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